Top 14's Bourgoin have escaped double relegation (on financial grounds) after a successful appeal hearing with the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR).

The Isère club had previously been thrown out of Top 14 by the DNACG - the league's financial watchdog - after failing to show evidence they could cover their budget for 2010/11.

The sticking point had centered on the club's reserve fund of €900,000, which the DNACG claimed had not been banked at the time of its ruling last week.

A subsequent statement from the DNACG confirmed its decision had been taken due to a "lack of explanation from the club on time guarantees required for its ability to meet its commitments for the 2010/11 season".

Bourgoin, however, remained confident they would win on appeal - confidence that has now been borne out - and can now move forwards towards the new season.

Their overall budget for 2010/11 remains €9.6m and the squad will head off to a training camp in Talloires this weekend with morale considerably boosted.

"After reviewing the record and considering the new elements introduced by the club, the Committee of Appeals decided to allow the club to commit themselves to Top 14," said an FFR statement. 

Had Bourgoin been unsuccessful with their appeal they would have followed Montauban in dropping down from Top 14 to Fédérale 1 as the DNACG continues to clamp down on club finances.

SCA Albi - who were relegated to ProD2 after finishing bottom of Top 14 - had been placed on standby to jump straight back up had Bourgoin's demotion been ratified by the FFR. As it is, Bourgoin are now free to take their place in French rugby's elite division, although the DNACG have hinted there could be some sort of sanction still applied. Last season the club had 12 player licences blocked by the DNACG on the eve of the opening game of the league campaign.

Montauban, meanwhile, continue to watch on helplessly as their playing squad scatters to all corners of France. International lock Scott Murray has become the latest to leave the bankrupt club after agreeing a one-year deal with Castres.

The 34-year-old Scottish international has been capped 87 times by his country - including three as captain - and bolsters a squad that surprised many by finishing fifth last season in Top 14.

Top 14 Transfers 2010/11

One transfer that won't be going ahead, however, is the proposed signing of Cardiff and Wales number eight Andy Powell by Top 14 newcomers SU Agen.

The headline-grabbing switch had appeared a done deal before the weekend, with Agen's president Alain Tingaud informing the press that he expected the club to make an announcement on Monday.

“Andy is interested in the Agen project, although he is still under contract with Cardiff,” said Tingaud. “It is up to him now to advance this case if he so desires. All the cards are in his hands now and the matter should certainly be resolved by Monday,” he added.

Powell had been due to meet with Tingaud over the weekend to finalised personal terms but the Agen president pulled the plug on the deal on Saturday, telling The Rugby Paper that Powell was "unmanageable". London Wasps are now favourites to secure the Welsh  international's signature.

Elsewhere, Biarritz and France international Imanol Harinordoquy has reaffirmed his Basque icon status by being among the guests of honour at the official opening of this summer's Pamplona festival. The number eight described the atmosphere as "more intense than in any rugby stadium".