French Rugby Giants to Merge

French Rugby oufits Stade Francais and Racing 92 have announced that they will merge. The ambition behind the deal is to create one dominant club in the Paris area.

The merger will be effective from the beginning of the 2017-18 Top 14 season, which begins in August. Both clubs have won the top tier of French rugby in recent years, with Racing 92 taking the 2016 trophy.

The statement read: “This association, effective from next season, must give birth to a new club that will preserve the roots of Racing 92 as those of Stade Français Paris while multiplying the means put at the service of youth and French rugby.

“Consolidated by its dual culture, by the fierce determination of its two presidents and its increased audience in a population pool unmatched in France, this new club has a long-term commitment to build a true reference.”