French rugby league system

The major national club competition in France is the Elite one championship, below this is the Elite two championship and a number of regional leagues. The teams in each competition will change each year depending on final standings and relegation / promotion.

There is no set structure for promotion and relegation. If a club wants to go up or down a level then they will consult the Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII who will make the decision.

French clubs can also apply to the RFL for a Super League (Europe) franchise.

Hierarchy

* Super League
* Elite One
* Elite Two
* National Division (East and West)
* Federal Leagues

Super League (Europe)

Catalans Dragons are France's only representatives in the otherwise English Super League. They were awarded a place in Super League on a franchise basis, there is no automatic promotion and relegation between Super League and French domestic leagues.

Other teams such as Toulouse Olympique may join Super League in future.

Elite One Championship

There are eleven French rugby league teams playing in the Elite One Championship, the top tier of rugby league in France above the Elite Two Championship.

Elite Two Championship

The Elite Two Championship is the second tier of rugby league in France below the Elite One Championship, but above the National Division East and West. There are eight teams playing in Elite 2.

Elite 2 was created in 2008 and replaced National League One, which was divided two pools East and West. Elite 2 was intended to bridge the gap between the top division and the rest of the clubs.

National Division East & West

The National Division is the third tier of French rugby league. It is divided into two equal divisions East and West. There are nine teams playing in the East division and eight teams in the West division.

Federal Leagues

There are thirty-seven teams playing in five regional leagues below the National Division West and East.

ee also

*Super League (Europe)
*Elite One Championship
*Rugby league in France

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100404294442427692349.000443b361b88a2a5c657 Google map - Elite One Championship teams]
* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100404294442427692349.00044520d24d758cc07c7 Google map - Elite Two Championship teams]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100404294442427692349.0004439beec2afbb85077 Google map - National Division East teams]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100404294442427692349.0004439c75610776ae71b Google map - National Division West teams]
* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100404294442427692349.0004453f82676eb496318 Google map - Federal Leagues teams]