The French second tier provides a vital platform for emerging nations talent to flourish.
If any doubt did remain, French official Mathieu Raynal secured a place at his home World Cup later this year with an accomplished Six Nations display in Cardiff.
A fast game is a good game and World Rugby might have to act soon.
'Ridiculous call': That's how Australian commentators Morgan Turini and Tim Horan on Stan Sport described Mathieu Raynal's late time-wasting call that gave the All Blacks' the opportunity to strike back in the final play of the game.
Spain's much-celebrated qualification for the Rugby World Cup in 2023 could be about to come crashing down after World Rugby revealed they are investigating if the national team have breached eligibility rules.
Spain's much-celebrated qualification for the Rugby World Cup in 2023 could be about to come crashing down after World Rugby revealed they are investigating if the national team have breached eligibility rules.
An ineligible player controversy two years ago resulted in the Spaniards being disqualified from the 2019 World Cup and their latest Rugby Europe campaign has now been similarly affected.
Mathieu Bastareaud's omission from France's World Cup squad has sparked a soap opera concerning his short-term club future and Munster are now said to be in the running for his services.
Rugby Europe has handed out bans of 121 weeks to five Spanish players who were involved in a bust-up with a Romanian referee over his decision making during their defeat to Belgium in a World Cup qualifier.