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It is Semi Finals weekend in France’s second division. Competing in the final four of the Pro D2 are four traditional names in French rugby – Grenoble, Montauban, Mont de Marsan and Perpignan. All are chasing returns to the Top 14.
This season has been a new format introduced. Rather than winning direct promotion based on final positions, it is to be the Pro D2 Champion based on the final who is promoted. As such Perpignan won the regular season but now need to win their Semi Final and Final to seal a place in nest season’s Top 14.
Both Perpignan and Montauban had bye rounds while Grenoble and Mont-de-Marsan played in the Barrages to qualify for the Pro D2 Semi Finals.
While the Pro D2 Final winner is guaranteed a spot in the Top 14 there is also one further opportunity. The losing finalist will enter a play-off against the 13th placed team from the Top 14. The winner will play in the 2018-2019 Top 14 and the loser in the Pro D2. The 14th-placed Top 14 side will automatically play in next season’s Pro D2.
With everything on the line the Semi Finals this weekend promise to have clubs, players and supporters on the edge of their seats.
No Americas players took part in Grenoble’s 22-15 win over Montauban on Saturday but two are set to play in the other Semi Final. Carlos Muzzio will start at loosehead prop for Mont-de-Marsan with fellow Argentine Jerónimo Negrotto among the reserves. Missing out for Perpignan is Martín García Veiga. The former Pumas hooker was injured earlier this month.
