The French Federation’s executive committee has today announced a new format for the Elite 1 and Elite 2 Championships for season 2013-14.

Following Pia’s inability to take part next season, and Lescure, Montpellier and Realmont’s inclusion in Elite 2, the FFRXIII decided on a major overhaul of the traditional structure. The competition will be played in three phases and ultimately contested by five pools, formed following the results of the season. The season will begin with an orthodox Elite 1 division, and underneath that eight-team group Elite 2 West and Elite 2 East.

Following the completion of that first phase, placement will decide the five pools. Pool A will contain the 1st-4th placed teams in Elite 1; Pool B the 5^th and 8^th placed Elite 1 sides, plus the 1^st East and 2^nd West sides; Pool C will see teams six and seven from Elite 1 joined by the 2^nd East and 1^st West side; Pool D the 3^rd and 5^th East, and 4^th and 6^th West; finally Pool E is comprised of 3^rd and 5^th from the West and 4^th and 6^th from the East.

The play-offs will see the 1^st and 2^nd Pool A teams qualify for the semi finals, while teams three and four receive home quarter finals.

Elite 2 begins with a Magic Weekend on 28-29 September in Montpellier. Elite 1 semis will take place on 26-27 April 2014 in Toulouse’s Stade des Minimes. The Lord Derby Cup final will be on the weekend of 5-6 April. Elite 1's final will be on 10-11 May, and Elite 2's the following weekend.

Pictured: Toulouse is part of the eight-team Elite 1.

ELITE 1
Avignon, Carcassonne, Lezignan, Limoux, St Esteve-XIII Catalan, Toulouse, Villeneuve, Palau

ELITE 2 OUEST
Albi, St Gaudens, Tonneins, Toulouse XIII Broncos, Villefranche, Realmont

ELITE 2 EST
Lescure, Baho, Carpentras, Cavaillon, Lyon-Villeurbanne, Montpellier