It was Rugbynistère who unearthed the case. On Sunday June 5, during the last day of the Top 14 regular season, Rugby Club Toulonnais will challenge Racing 92 at Paris La Défense Arena. A decisive shock since the winner will qualify for the final phase. A shock for which the Var club may have to deprive themselves of some of their foreign stars so as not to risk a loss of points for next season.

A little reminder is in order. The League has established a quota of JIFF (players from the training sector). This season, it is necessary to align on average less than 16 per match sheet. With not trivial sanctions: 4 points less if the average drops below 16 JIFF.

To reach this quota, Azéma will necessarily have to decide since he will only have the right to six non-JIFF players on his match sheet. But he regularly uses a dozen. We can cite Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Facundo Isa, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Duncan Paia'aua, Sergio Parisse, Beka Gigashvili, Cornell Du Preez, even Kieran Brookes, and Brian Alainu'Uese.

For the RCT to escape the sanction, Franck Azéma will therefore have to fail four … A handicap for this crucial match.