Top 14: what it is and how French rugby’s top league works

There’s a place in Europe where club rugby is played with real money, packed stadiums and a pressure that exists nowhere else: France. The Top 14 is the richest — and probably toughest — league in the world, and for any rugby fan it’s impossible to ignore, not least because it’s where many of the best players end up, Italians included.

What the Top 14 is

It’s the top tier of French rugby: fourteen teams, run by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). The championship has existed, in various forms, since 1892; the name «Top 14» arrived in 2005. A very long history with a very modern structure.

How it works: season and playoffs

The fourteen teams play home and away across 26 rounds. Four points for a win, two for a draw, none for a loss — plus the bonus points that in France often decide everything. At the end, the top six reach the playoffs: first and second go straight to the semi-finals, while third to sixth play off in the barrages. Then the grand final, at the Stade de France.

The prize: the Bouclier de Brennus

The winner lifts the Bouclier de Brennus, the «Brennus shield»: a solid silver shield, awarded since 1892 and named after Charles Brennus. One of the most treasured trophies in world rugby.

Top 14 and Pro D2: how you go up and down

Below sits Pro D2, the second division. At the end of the season the bottom side is relegated automatically, while the 13th-placed team plays off against the losing Pro D2 finalist. Two teams come up: the Pro D2 champion directly, plus the winner of the second-division playoffs.

Why it matters to us

Because the Top 14 is the barometer of European rugby, and one of the favourite destinations for our best players. Understanding the rules means enjoying every match far more.

Watch our video: TOP 14: everything you need to know.