One of the biggest changes to French rugby could be imminent after French Rugby Federation (FFR) President Bernard Laporte launched a move to bring in central contracts for its international players.
The move would see France follow the footsteps of New Zealand Rugby which binds its Super Rugby players to central contracts, meaning they have the ultimate say over player fitness, training regimes and club commitments during the domestic season.
It would also see the period a player is 'quarantined' for expanded to six months.
As compensation for the change, the French Rugby Federation would increase their subsidies to domestic clubs.
Making the announcement following France's 19-9 loss to Ireland in the Six Nations, Laporte says the move is vital to national team success at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The presidents of French Top 14 clubs Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne have already registered their strong opposition to plan which would significantly diminish the power the club has over the player, despite that club paying the player's wages.
Predictably, other clubs have also expressed their disapproval with Laporte starting a series of meetings with them to discuss their concerns this week.
It's not yet clear what the move would mean for the strong contingent of former New Zealand-based players currently plying their trade in France.
However, it could be a sign that the seemingly unlimited cash in French rugby would be more focused and concentrated on developing talent instead of poaching it from the south.
It's Laporte's second major recommendation since being elected to the role in December after seeking to introduce a change to France's player eligibility policy last month.
Newshub.
