The French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the National Rugby League (LNR) have ended an eight-year law trial ahead of the 2026/27 club season.
The two governing bodies confirmed that from next season, teams will no longer be permitted to make 12 tactical substitutions during matches, with the number returning to the global standard of eight.
This comes after it was deemed that the trial “produced no significant improvement” during its use in the Pro D2 and TOP 14.
Aligning with World Rugby’s charter
Confirmation of the trial’s disbandment came after the latest French ‘Shape of the Game’ meeting, which brought together all stakeholders in French rugby.
The initiative was spearheaded by the FFR and coordinated with the LNR. A joint statement from the two governing bodies read: “Following on from the Shape of the Game work undertaken by World Rugby, French rugby initiated a consultation phase in Marcoussis, bringing together all stakeholders in French rugby on March 13: the FFR, the LNR, professional clubs, unions, referees, and representatives from elite levels.”
It continued: “The discussions at the ‘Shape of the Game, French Style’ led to a shared diagnosis based on the current competition format, which aligns with World Rugby’s charter, emphasising the importance of diverse player profiles in rugby.
“All participants agreed that our competitions already offer an attractive spectacle, as evidenced by public enthusiasm, packed stadiums, and strong popular support, which does not preclude some evolution. Within this framework, France continues to advocate a clear and structured approach based on three priorities:
– Player safety, an essential condition for the sustainable development of the sport, from elite to grassroots;
– Fair play, sought to uphold the fundamentals of rugby;
– Continuous gameplay, a key driver of public appeal and understanding.”
Law tweak suggestion
The ending of the 12 tactical subs was the headline change from the meeting, but also resulted in the agreement to propose a tweak to the shot clock for place kicks.
“The FFR political steering committee on April 25 jointly decided to: Return to the rule of eight substitutions (ending the experiment with 12 substitutions per team initiated in 2018, which produced no significant improvement),” the statement continued.
“Propose to World Rugby an experiment aimed at reducing the time allowed for kicking a penalty and a conversion to 45 seconds (compared to the current 60 seconds).”
Additionally, it confirmed that French rugby would continue to oppose the implementation of World Rugby’s 20-minute red card law as they believe that it poses ‘a major threat to the sport.’
Coherent and structured French voice
The FFR and LNR conclude that these meetings allow stakeholders to build shared positions on possible changes and develop common strategies to serve the interests of the global game.
In doing so, they believe it can amplify the French voice during international discussions like the World Rugby Shape of the Game meetings.
“At the heart of this dynamic, the method implemented by the FFR and the LNR stands out as a key indicator,” the statement added.
“By bringing all stakeholders together, French rugby demonstrates its ability to build shared positions, compare viewpoints, and develop common strategies that serve the overall interests of rugby in France and around the world.
“This unifying approach now allows for a coherent and structured voice to be heard in international discussions on the evolution of the game.”
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