The National Rugby League recently lifted the veil on the first assessment of JIFFs (Players from Training Branches) for the current season. After nine days of Top 14, it is time to take stock of the good students, the duncesand those who flirt with the red zone. Spoiler: the Paloise Section is in the lead, but certain clubs will have to be careful if they do not want to receive sanctions.
The rules of the game: quotas to respect
Top 14 clubs are subject to a minimum average of 16 JIFFs per match sheet over the entire season. Those promoted benefit from a boost in their integration, with an average lowered to 14 during their first year. Conversely, an average equal to or greater than 17 entitles you to a financial reward.
And why did you implement this JIFFs policy? The objective is simple: promote talents from training centers and protect the DNA of French rugbywhile encouraging clubs to give young people a chance instead of recruiting foreign mercenaries.
At the top of the rankingthe Section Paloise can puff out its chest with an average of 18.78 JIFFs per match. A nice score which shows the desire of the Béarnais club to focus on youth. Just behind, Toulouse (18.67) and Bordeaux-Bègles (18.56) confirm their commitment to players from the French sector.
The promoted Vannes is also breathing. With an average of 14.56 JIFFs, the Bretons perfectly respect the relaxed rule granted to them. A notable performance for a team which had to deal with express recruitment this summer.
Good students are good, but who are the laggards? Some clubs are already playing with fire. Toulon, for example, has pulled itself together and now averages 16.56. No reason to rest on its laurels, but the RCT seems to be on the right track.
La Rochelle (16.11), Montpellier (16.33) and Racing 92 (16.89) must also monitor their average closely. One or two addicts could push them below the fateful threshold, synonymous with potential sanctions.
As for Pro D2, the results are just as revealing. Aurillac, Dax and Valence-Romans dominate the ranking, while Béziers (15.56) and Brive (15.89) stick out their tongues. The latter have an interest in remobilizing quickly to avoid disappointments.
Between strategy and necessity
The obligation to field JIFFs pushes clubs to juggle between immediate competitiveness and preparation for the future. If some, like Bordeaux or Toulouse, show that it is possible to succeed in sport while respecting quotas, others struggle to find the balance.
This rule also raises questions: should the quotas be reduced for clubs involved in Europe? How to take injuries into account? What is certain is that it provokes reflection and sometimes, a few headaches in the offices of managers.
