There are few extra aggressive rugby leagues on the planet than High 14. The competitors sees matches performed weekly, with a few of the greatest gamers on this planet of rugby in motion for his or her respective membership sides.
Motion on the highest stage of the event is engrossing, with every match proving pivotal within the race for factors to make sure a end within the playoff positions after the common season. Yow will discover out extra concerning the historical past of the competitors and learn more about a few of the main sides in High 14 at current right here.
Temporary High 14 Historical past
High 14 is the very best stage of membership competitors in rugby union in France. The event was fashioned in 1892, and featured one of the best 14 skilled groups within the nation. There’s relegation and promotion between the highest two divisions, which means that underperforming sides drop into the Professional D2 league in the event that they end within the backside positions.
There have been quite a lot of modifications to the competitors all through historical past, with essentially the most vital being the discount of groups within the competitors from 16 to 14. It’s one among simply three main professional union leagues in Europe, with the others being the English Premiership and the United Rugby Championship.
The primary ever High 14 Grand Ultimate was staged in 1892, with the showpiece occasion seeing two Paris-based sides colliding within the types of Stade Francais and Racing Membership de France, with the latter touchdown success to turn out to be the inaugural champions.
Toulouse
There are few extra profitable groups in membership rugby union historical past than Toulouse. The French facet has gained greater than every other facet, and that domination has proven no signal of stopping lately.
They landed a record-extending twenty second title in France on the finish of final season, beating La Rochelle in an entertaining ultimate in Paris in June 2022. Various one of the best French gamers play for the group, together with Thomas Ramos and Antoine Dupont.
Ramos was gained of the key players of their current Grand Ultimate success, because the fly half scored 5 penalties and two conversions within the 29-26 win over La Rochelle. They’ve made a sluggish begin to the newest High 14 season, however they’ve gained 5 from 9 matches to stay inside touching distance of the playoff spots.
Racing 92
Racing 92 have been some of the profitable groups in France all through their historical past, having reached the European Rugby Champions Cup ultimate on three events between 2016 and 2020. Nonetheless, they’re doubtless considered the almost membership, as they’re but to win the celebrated honour.
They’ve achieved home success in France, as they’ve been topped High 14 champions on six earlier events, with their most up-to-date win coming in 2016. However, they’re actually displaying indicators lately that they might be about so as to add to their assortment. Racing 92 loved a wonderful marketing campaign in 2022-23, as they ended the common season in fifth, earlier than being eradicated on the semi-final stage by Toulouse.
Nonetheless, they’ve began the brand new season trying like one of many most important contenders for the highest title in France this time period, as they presently sit high of the High 14 standings. Racing 92 have recorded wins in six of their opening 9 matches, and so they boast one of the best factors distinction at current. Nonetheless, they might want to preserve their type to boost their possibilities of ending their await a serious title.
Stade Francais
There are few extra historic golf equipment in France than Stade Francais. The group reached the primary ever Grand Ultimate in High 14, and so they have turn out to be some of the profitable groups of the fashionable period. The group have gained the High 14 title on 14 earlier events, together with a run of 4 titles between 2000 and 2007. Nonetheless, they’re presently enduring a dry spell by way of home glory, having did not win the championship since 2015.
However, they had been one of many standout groups in France all through the common season final time period, as they gained 13 of their 26 matches to complete the common season in fourth place. Their defensive report was the third-best within the competitors, as they allowed simply 480 factors. However, their goals of High 14 glory had been in the end ended within the semi-final qualifier, as they had been edged out by Racing in a thriller.
However, they might be good worth to at the very least attain that stage once more in 2023-24, as they already sit fifth within the standings. Francais has gained six of their opening 9 matches within the competitors this time period, and so they may have a robust probability to complete within the high two spots to succeed in the Grand Final.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the High 14 stays an exciting and fiercely aggressive enviornment for rugby fanatics, showcasing the epitome of membership rugby in France. The league, steeped in historical past since its inception in 1892, has advanced through the years, with groups like Toulouse, Racing 92, and Stade Francais etching their names into the annals of the game.
Toulouse, with their record-extending twenty second title, continues to dominate, boasting a lineup that includes a few of the greatest French gamers. Racing 92, perennial contenders, are displaying renewed vigor and sit atop the standings, signaling their ambition to interrupt their European Rugby Champions Cup ultimate jinx.
Stade Francais, a historic powerhouse, goals to reclaim previous glory after a current dry spell, making a robust begin to the present season. The league’s depth is clear, as every match unfolds with playoff implications, showcasing the depth and high quality of French membership rugby.
Because the season unfolds, the High 14 guarantees extra drama, fierce competitors, and moments of brilliance. The fervour and ability displayed by these groups underscore why the High 14 is not only a league however a spectacle that captivates rugby followers globally, celebrating the essence of the game at its highest membership stage in France.
Source link
