Provence Rugby’s dream of winning the Pro D2 title may have ended in the final, but their path to the Top 14 remains alive.
After falling 18-14 to Vannes in the Pro D2 championship match on June 6, Provence Rugby will now face USA Perpignan in the promotion-relegation playoff, commonly known in France as the Access Match.
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The winner will earn a place in the 2026-27 Top 14 season, while the loser will play in Pro D2 next year.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, June 14 at 1 p.m. ET, giving Provence Rugby one final opportunity to complete a historic promotion campaign.
A Second Chance For Provence Rugby
While defeat in the final was painful, Provence Rugby remain just one victory away from reaching France’s premier rugby competition.
Provence finished third during the Pro D2 regular season before navigating the playoffs to reach the final against Vannes. Although they came up just short in Toulouse, their season is not over.
The Access Match offers a unique opportunity that does not exist in many rugby competitions around the world.
Rather than being eliminated entirely, the Pro D2 runner-up receives a chance to challenge the second-to-last team from the Top 14 for a place in the top division.
Perpignan Fighting For Survival To Stay In Top 14
Standing in Provence Rugby’s way is USA Perpignan.
Perpignan has spent 84 seasons in the Top 14 and fended off relegation a year ago after finishing 13th. They have been in the Top 14 since winning Pro D2 Championship in 2021.
Perpignan finished second from bottom in the Top 14 standings and must now defend its place among France’s elite clubs. This will be Perpignan’s fourth Access Match appearance in the last five seasons, highlighting just how familiar the club has become with high-pressure survival battles.
That experience could prove valuable when the two sides meet.
Top 14 Promotion On The Line
The stakes could hardly be higher for Provence Rugby. A victory would deliver one of the biggest achievements in club history and secure a place in the Top 14 for next season.
For Perpignan, a win would preserve its place in France’s premier competition and avoid the financial and sporting consequences that come with relegation.
After coming within four points of a Pro D2 title, Provence Rugby now has one final chance to finish the job. On June 14, 80 minutes will determine which club will be playing Top 14 rugby next season.
Montauban Hopes To Follow In Vannes Footsteps
Vannes is headed to the Top 14 next year, the team that replaced them this season, Montauban, went 1-1-24 and is headed back to the Pro D2 level.
Top 14 Rugby Playoff Schedule
Friday, June 13
- 3:05 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Racing 92
Saturday, June 14
- 3:05 p.m. ET: Stade Français vs. La Rochelle
The winners advance to the semifinals in Marseille.
Friday, June 19
- Semifinal 1: Toulouse vs. Lowest Remaining Seed
Saturday, June 20
- Semifinal 2: Montpellier vs. Highest Remaining Seed
Saturday, June 27
Top 14 Final
- The championship match will be played at Stade de France in Paris.
How To Watch On FloRugby
FloRugby streams the Top 14 throughout the United States and Canada.
Fans can watch live and on-demand through FloRugby on desktop, mobile devices, smart TVs, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices. Subscribers also have access to replays, highlights, news coverage and exclusive rugby content throughout the postseason.
With Toulouse chasing another French title, Montpellier seeking its first championship in years and clubs like Racing 92 and La Rochelle still alive, the Top 14 playoffs promise to deliver some of the best club rugby of the year.
Every match will matter from this point forward.
And every match will stream live on FloRugby.
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