THE French Elite 1 season, which runs over the Northern Hemisphere winter, will kick off with a 10-team Nines tournament in Toulouges this weekend.
It’s a lightning-quick series of matches running from 2.3opm to 8.30pm on Saturday at Clairfont Stadium, with the sides divided into two groups.
The top two teams in each group will proceed to the semi-finals and a national Nines champion – which has now become an annual feature in the women’s game – will be awarded for the men at the conclusion of play.
GROUPS:
Pool 1
Albi, Avignon, Carcassonne, Saint-Gaudens, Villeneuve
Pool 2
Lézignan, Limoux, Pia, Saint-Estève XIII Catalan, Toulouse
DRAW:
| Pool A | Schedule | Pool B |
| Avignon – Villeneuve Saint Gaudens – Albi Albi – Carcassonne |
2:30 p.m. 2:50 p.m. 3:10 p.m. |
Limoux – Toulouse Saint Esteve – Lézignan Lézignan – Pia |
| Villeneuve – Saint-Gaudens Avignon – Albi Carcassonne – Saint-Gaudens |
3:30 p.m. 3:50 p.m. 4:10 p.m. |
Toulouse – Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Limoux – Lézignan Pia – Saint-Estève XIII Catalan |
| Carcassonne – Villeneuve Saint Gaudens – Avignon Avignon – Carcassonne Villeneuve – Albi |
4:30 p.m. 4:50 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 5:30 p.m. |
Pia – Toulouse Saint-Estève XIII Catalan – Limoux Limoux – Pia Toulouse – Lézignan |
| 1st A v 2nd B | 6:00 p.m. | 1st B v 2nd A |
| 6:30 p.m. | ||
| Final | ||
| 8 p.m. | ||