French Rugby Giants Merger Cancelled

The proposed merger between French rugby union clubs Racing 92 and Stade Francais has been canned, following huge opposition to the amalgamation of the sides.

Plans to unite the teams were announced last Monday, with the intention of creating a Paris-based superclub to dominate the French game and raise the profile of rugby in the capital.

However, the move was waylaid by widespread criticism, with Stade Francais players taking strike action over the deal. France’s National Rugby League cancelled the weekend’s fixtures involving the two teams, citing the ‘unprecedented nature’ of the situation.

The head of the players’ union, Robins Tchale-Watchou, called the planned merger ‘disgusting’, and the project has now been shelved after many stakeholders expressed similar views.

Racing president Jacky Lorenzetti has announced that the merger has been cancelled due to the strength of feeling. “I have decided to give this beautiful project up,” he said.