Top 14. Pau surnage, the big names good students, Vannes at the limit… update on the JIFF ranking at mid-season

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It is the sword of Damocles of the Top 14. The Jiff averages weigh on the clubs of France throughout the season. The rule is very simple, at the end of each exercise, each club must present a average at least equal to 16 Jiff per match sheet (regular season and final phase included).

In the event of non-compliance with this rule, the NRL may sanction the club with a withdrawal of points during the following season. At the halfway point, no one seems out of contention according to All Rugby's accounts.

Jiff: Pau, Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles at the top

For now, all lights are green for the tricolor stables. Nobody is below average. Good news for the clubs, but also for French training which is supposed to benefit from this mode of operation.

At the top of the rankings, the Paloise Section dominates with an average of 19.08 JIFF at each outing. The Béarnais are closely followed by Stade Toulousain which has 18.62 JIFFs checked on the thirteen match sheets for the 2024-2025 season. Bordeaux-Bègles, with its average of 18.08, completes this podium.

For the rest of the troop, Lyon (17.85), Castres (17.77), Bayonne (17.46) and Clermont (17.38) are on the right track, as are Perpignan (17), Toulon (16 .92), Stade Français (16.85) and La Rochelle (16.62).

But some clubs will have to be careful to move away from the limit. This is the case of the Racing 92 which displays only 16.23 Jiff on average. Montpellier (16.46) will also have to increase its quota to be permanently safe from the ax. Vannes is also concerned. With 14.38 JIFF per match, the Bretons are in the green, but it would be better to secure the shot. As a reminder, a promoted must display an average of 14 Jiff for his first season in the elite.

A bonus in the event of a “good grade”

If clubs are sanctioned for non-compliance with the NRL regulations on Jiffs, they also receive a small bonus if everything goes well. Indeed, all the clubs which exceed the average of 17 access payments from the NRL's Jiff fund.

A financial benefit of €220,000increased by €500 per percentile between the two limits of 17 Jiff minimum and 19 Jiff and above, with a capping of €320,000. The sinews of war are often quite motivating.

Hoping for all clubs that the averages are at least as good at the end of the financial year.

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