The English AP 15s final lies ahead of us; the French one was completed last week. Let’s see how they differ.
France
Stade Bordelais (Photo: FFR)
Three years ago Brigitte Jugla, in charge of French women’s rugby, decided to put together a day to celebrate women’s and girls’ rugby involving a series of finals at different levels. The climax would be the final of Elite 1.
This year Bordeaux was chosen as the centre. Seven finals were played out in turn, culminating in a Grand Final between Stade Bordelais, the local heroes, and Blagnac from Toulouse. Result: Blagnac 23 Stade Bordelais 27.
The other competing teams came from Agen, Bourgoin-Jallieu, Brive, Caen, Dax, La Rochelle, Montpellier, Rennes, Salon-de-Provence, Stade Français (Paris) and Tarbes; in other words, a vast spread.
England
That day in Bordeaux makes a fascinating contrast with established English formula, based on the top four of the AP 15s league playing two semi-finals concurrently (1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd), then a final a fortnight later.
This year Gloucester, the chosen venue, is reporting a record attendance ten days before the event.
Quite different Concepts
The most obvious point of difference is the number of teams involved: two versus fourteen.
The French approach brings players, staff, supporters, media and different age-groups together, allowing youngsters to rub shoulders with their heroes, whom they might otherwise see only via a television set. This vast assembly makes attractive new encounters possible.
Jugla reckons there must be around 200 people involved in an active capacity. She and her committee are still seeking to improve the occasion by any means they can.
The attendance must have been much smaller than the anticipated gate at Kingsholm (Stade Sainte Germaine is limited to 3,000 spectators), but the support far more widespread. How many fans of the eight clubs not represented in the AP 15s final are likely to make the journey to Gloucester?
One French complaint concerned the lack of live TV coverage. That must be Number 1 on the Jugla to-do list. Recent history demonstrates how central it is to the success of a sporting occasion.
France TV can take pride in publicising women’s test rugby from way back. It helps to explain the high attendances the French team attracts all over the country.
The RFU must be equally intent on upping the live coverage of both the Red Roses and the ten clubs in the AP 15s.
Since French rugby is organised differently from the RFU’s, it’s impossible to give a simple indication of the groupings involved on the big day. But here are the seven as presented in their original form. They appear in reverse order of play; every match 15-a-side. The first two involved Under 18 sides.
Elite 1 Féminine
Réserves Elite
Elite 2 Féminine
Fédérale 1 Féminine
Fédérale 2 Féminine
Féminines « Moins de 18 ans » à XV – Elite
Féminines « Moins de 18 ans » à XV – Accession
One drawback of such a busy day is the stamina of the audience. Two or three consecutive matches (as per the 6 Nations) can be a test for the viewer/attender; seven on the trot more than body and soul can withstand. How many at the Stade Sainte Germaine saw all seven?
The English schedule forms an ever narrowing pinnacle; two clubs, Gloucester-Hartpury and Exeter Chiefs, will share all the limelight.
The French pattern also brings a final of triumph and desolation, but against a background of widely differing interests (and accents).
