It's Rugby | Telling the story of rugby: news and stats

Challenge Cup round 1: Toulon and Bayonne off to a good start

Toulon, Bayonne and Castres won in the first round of the Challenge Cup. Perpignan, Lyon and Vannes lost, the Bretons heavily at Harlequins (57-19). Félix Lapoussière · 18 October 2026

Groizeleau: “My acceptance was very difficult” At 37, Aurélie Groizeleau is France's best professional rugby referee, in charge of men's Pro D2 matches and of top-level women's Tests. She swapped playing for the whistle after health problems ended her playing career at 19. Between France's Referee Days and Pink October, she looks back on early years marked by sexist remarks and on fifteen years of progress. Félix Lapoussière · 16 October 2026

Après la sirène Rémi Lamerat: “I get up in the morning and I love what I do” A former centre with Castres, Clermont and Union Bordeaux-Bègles, France international Rémi Lamerat started preparing for life after rugby early by turning to his other passion: wine. Now a winemaker and entrepreneur, he is building a project in his own image, combining work on the land, business spirit and conviviality. The career change let him switch jobs without giving up the values that drove him on the pitch. Cyprien Beytout · 14 October 2026

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Qui sera en tête du Top 14 à la trêve de novembre ?

Stade Toulousain Pau Bayonne Union Bordeaux-Bègles Montpellier LOU Un autre club

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Key stats

Du 16 au 18 octobre 202616-18 October

Stade Toulousain43–40

ExeterChampions Cup · R1 / 4 · 83 pts in total Meilleur marqueur3triesCheswill JoosteBulls · Champions Cup · J1 / 4 Top points scorer, all competitions26ptsLuka MatkavaOyonnax · Pro D2 · J7 / 30

Biggest margin+50Tyrosse vs FleuranceNationale 2 · R6 / 22 Closest match0ptsGloucester vs Union Bordeaux BèglesChampions Cup · R1 / 4 Highest scoring competition109triesEuropean Rugby Champions CupR1 / 4

Top kicker21ptsAlexis PisaniServette Genève · Nationale 2 · R6 / 22

Best run8WMassyNationale

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All Pro D2 news

UncategorisedPro D2: Grenoble win at Brive, leaders march onGrenoble won 26-14 at Brive on Saturday night to take third place. At the top, Oyonnax and Provence Rugby remain the only unbeaten sides after seven rounds, while Nevers are still looking for a first win.Félix Lapoussière · 18 October 2026

Vannes take the Pro D2 trophy to La Baule14 October 2026

Pro D2 (Round 6) – Oyonnax and Provence unbeaten, Brive fall10 October 2026

Montauban end Brive’s unbeaten run despite 15 penalties9 October 2026

InjuriesDax without Paul Ausset until the spring1 October 2026

Pro D2 (R5): three unbeaten sides and an Oyonnax on the roll26 September 2026

Ligne 22Nicolas Acébès: “I’d love to do a season with my big brother”Thomas Larroquette · 5 December 2025Watch

Investigations

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How the Haute-Vienne became a great development region… without managing to make its clubs winLeny-Huayna TIBLE · 30 June 2026

How is the Haute-Vienne, a land of rugby, losing its clubs?Leny-Huayna TIBLE · 23 June 2026

Is it serious, doctor (4/4) – Rugby, a patient in treatment: the diagnosis is yours to makeLaurent Depret · 22 May 2026

Is it serious, doctor? (3/4) – Rugby: the damage is no longer inevitableLaurent Depret · 22 April 2026

Is it serious, doctor (2/4) — Rugby, a patient getting treatmentLaurent Depret · 7 April 2026

Is it serious, doctor? (1/4) — A check-up on French rugby: the watchdogs, A2R (ex-DNACG)Laurent Depret · 23 March 2026