France launches high profile club 7s
The FFR and La Ligue Nationale de Rugby (who runs men's professional rugby) are launching a high-profile, sponsored, national sevens tournament for Elite women's clubs.
Published by John Birch, April 8th, 2024
3 minute read
A statement issued jointly by LNR and FFR says:
"The National Rugby League (LNR) and the French Rugby Federation (FFR) are pleased to announce the launch of the In Extenso Supersevens women's tournament from this 2024/2025 edition.
The FFR and the LNR have been working together for several months on the structuring and development of elite women's competitions, as part of their joint strategic objectives. In this context, the two bodies have decided to jointly organize next season a women's tournament to be called the "
The National Rugby League (LNR) and the French Rugby Federation (FFR) are pleased to announce the launch of the In Extenso Supersevens women's tournament from this 2024/2025 edition.
The FFR and the LNR have been working together for several months on the structuring and development of elite women's competitions, which is part of their joint strategic objectives. In this context, the two bodies have decided to jointly organize next season the women's tournament of the In Extenso Supersevens (the current men's 7-a-side club French championship).
For the first edition, the women's tournament will take place in two stages:
A qualifying stage will take place on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st August, during the third stage of the In Extenso Supersevens in Pau. The teams will be the 2024/2025 women's Elite 1 teams plus the two teams relegated to Elite 2 at the end of the season 2023/24 season.
The top four teams will qualify for the final tournament which will take place as part of the In Extenso Supersevens Grand Final on Saturday 1st February 2025 at Paris La Défense Arena."
As well as being a big boost for profile of French women's 7s, what is fascinating is the implication that this is just the first outcome of discussions between the FFR and LNR.
The LNR currently runs France's professional elite men's game, but the elite - and amateur - women's game comes under the FFR.
Jean-Marc Lhermet (Vice-President of the FFR) said "We are convinced that this enhanced collaboration between the FFR and the LNR will continue to bear fruit in the years to come, and thus allow French women's rugby to continue its tremendous progress."
