Tarbes are one of two clubs served with notice of relegation by the DNACG – the league’s financial watchdog – but are now seeking a reverse of the decision after finding the extra funds.

Tarbes finished the season in eighth spot but could still be playing their rugby in Federale 1 next season if their appeal fails to satisfy the DNACG. Bourg-en-Bresse were the other club served notice of relegation on financial grounds, although their fall would be greater – down to Federale 2 - because they were relegated during the normal season anyway.

Fellow Midi-Pyrenees club Lannemezan, meanwhile, are confident they can fulfil the DNACG’s criteria to complete their promotion from Federale 1 to ProD2. Lannemezan beat Aix-en-Provence 9-6 in the weekend final of the Jean Prat Trophy – to decide the champions of Federale 1 – and must now illustrate that they can survive in the professional league of ProD2 next season.

Club president Jean-Louis Fourcade said he was confident Lannemezan “is already able to meet all the financial constraints imposed by the DNACG”, adding that it had reserve funds of €150,000.

Plans for the extent of player recruitment are currently being discussed, with the club trying to strike a balance between reward (for the squad that got them there) and realism (for the need to strengthen).

Bourg’s struggles last season – both on and off the pitch – highlight the difficulties a newly promoted club can face and Fourcade was emphatic what the goal for next season would be. “We must be realistic. The best we can do is survive, but we are aware that this may be very difficult,” he said.

Top 14 Table / Top 14 Fixtures / Top 14 Transfers - The story so far...

The transfer market continues to buzz, meanwhile, with Brive’s welsh full-back Barry Davies leaving to join the Ospreys after two years in Top 14. Davies, 28, opted for a return to Wales after only being offered a one-year extension by Brive,

“I’ve enjoyed my time in France,” he said. “I went out there with an open mind, not knowing what to expect, and I believe that I am coming back a better player and a better person for the experience.

“Brive is a small town but it has a huge rugby tradition and I’ll always value the time I had there. But I want to come back to the goldfish bowl of Welsh rugby and enjoy the Welsh game again,” added Davies.

Brive have also released little used fly-half Christopher Micklewood, 22, who has signed with Newcastle Falcons for two years.

Down in ProD2, Colomiers have confirmed the signing of Australia fly-half Ben Martin from Marseille on a two-year contract.

SU Agen have also been recruiting, with Munster’s John O’Sullivan, 28, the latest to join their squad, also on a two-year deal.

Elsewhere, Pau have signed Bourg-en-Bresse prop Fabien Magnan, while Beziers – still hoping to avoid relegation due to Tarbes’ predicament – have signed Bourg fly-half Jean-Baptiste Dambielle.

France’s 1^st XV may be making the headlines down in New Zealand but the ‘A’ side has also been in winning form over at the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest.

France ‘A’ have set up a Sunday showdown with Scotland ‘A’ for the title, with both teams having recorded two wins from two games so far.

France ‘A’ made hard work of beating Romania after surging into a 17-0 lead, eventually triumphing 20-16 thanks to tries from Romain Martial and Yannick Forrestier. Julien Audy’s late kick secured the bonus point win to set up Sunday’s clash.

England’s RFU has confirmed that the planned home international against Fiji on November 28^th has now been replaced with a game against Australia on November 7^th instead. The rescheduled match now presents Australia with a possible Grand Slam tour, but Fiji still stand to gain by receiving a portion of the gate takings to assist their financially struggling union.