View source for Pro D2

{{Short description|Second level of domestic club rugby union in France}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = 
| current_season  = 2024–25 Rugby Pro D2 season
| logo            = Logo ProD2 2012.png
| pixels          = 170px
| caption         = 
| sport           = Rugby union
| founded         = {{Start date and age|2000}}
| administrator   = [[National Rugby League (France)|LNR]]
| teams           = 16
| levels          = [[French rugby union system|Level 2]]
| promotion       = [[Top 14]]
| relegation      = [[Championnat Fédéral Nationale|Nationale]]
| country         = {{FRA}}
| champion        = [[US Montauban]] 
| champ_season    = [[2024–25 Rugby Pro D2 season|2024–25]]
| most_champs     = [[Lyon OU|Lyon]] / [[Oyonnax Rugby | Oyonnax]] (3 titles)
| website         = [https://prod2.lnr.fr/ Pro D2]
}}

The '''Pro D2''' is the second tier of [[rugby union]] club competition division in [[France]]. It is operated by [[National Rugby League (France)|Ligue Nationale de Rugby]] (LNR) which also runs the division directly above, the first division [[Top 14]]. Rugby Pro D2 was introduced in 2000.  It is the world's best supported second tier rugby union league.

== Season structure ==
There are 30 rounds in the regular season, with each team playing every other team once home and once away.

Pro D2 has a relegation and promotion system with both the Top 14 and [[Championnat Fédéral Nationale|Nationale]], the third-level competition. The top two clubs at the end of the season qualify automatically for home semi-finals, with the clubs placed 3rd through to 6th playing in an elimination round to advance to the semi-finals. The two winners of the semi-final play each other in the final, with the winner gaining promotion to the Top 14, and the losing finalist then going on to play the 13th placed team in the Top 14 in a promotion-relegation match. The bottom placed (16th) team is automatically relegated to the Nationale division, and the 15th placed team plays the losing finalist from the Nationale division in a promotion-relegation match.

All promotions are contingent on passing a postseason financial audit required for all clubs. Also, if a club above the bottom two places fails the audit, it may be relegated in the place of a club that would otherwise have been relegated. This was especially an issue in the 2015–16 season, when four clubs faced at least the prospect of relegation for financial reasons. During the season, [[Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby|Tarbes]] were dropped to Fédérale 1 effective with the 2016–17 season, and [[Biarritz Olympique|Biarritz]], [[CS Bourgoin-Jallieu|Bourgoin]] and [[RC Narbonne|Narbonne]] were also dropped at the end of the season, pending appeals.<ref name=Mortimer>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/financial-penalties-in-the-prod2-send-shockwaves-around-french-rugby-58364 |title=Financial penalties in the ProD2 send shockwaves around French rugby |first=Gavin |last=Mortimer |magazine=Rugby World |date=1 June 2016 |access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> Ultimately, Biarritz, Bourgoin, and Narbonne all won their appeals and remained in Pro D2.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.lnr.fr/rugby-pro-d2/actualites-rugby-pro-d2/biarritz-et-narbonne-maintenus-en-pro-d2 |title=Biarritz et Narbonne Maintenus en PRO D2 |trans-title=Biarritz and Narbonne Remain in Pro D2 |language=fr |publisher=[[National Rugby League (France)|Ligue Nationale de Rugby]] |date=7 July 2016 |access-date=8 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.lnr.fr/rugby-pro-d2/actualites-rugby-pro-d2/bourgoin-reste-en-pro-d2 |title=Bourgoin Reste en PRO D2 |trans-title=Bourgoin Remains in Pro D2 |language=fr |publisher=[[National Rugby League (France)|Ligue Nationale de Rugby]] |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=13 July 2016}}</ref>

=== Changes for 2017–18 and beyond ===
In August 2016, LNR released a strategic plan outlining its vision for French rugby through the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The plan includes significant changes to the top levels of the league system, with Pro D2 seeing especially dramatic changes starting with the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/french-rugby-enjoys-a-popularity-boom-68018 |title=French rugby enjoys a popularity boom as it looks to the future |first=Gavin |last=Mortimer |magazine=Rugby World |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref>
* Starting with 2017–18, the Pro D2 adopted a playoff system identical to that of the Top 14, with the top six teams on the league table qualifying. The top two teams receive byes into the semifinals, where they will face the winners of quarterfinal matches involving the remaining four sides.
* Only the Pro D2 champions will be assured of promotion to the Top 14. The losing finalist will enter an access match with the second-from-bottom Top 14 side, with the winner taking up the final Top 14 place.
* Starting with 2023–24, this access match also takes place between the second-from-bottom Pro D2 side and the runner up in the Nationale, with the winner taking up the final Pro D2 place.

==Current teams==
{{main|2024–25 Rugby Pro D2 season}}

{{col-begin|width=100%}}
{{col-break|width=70%}}

{|class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
|-
!width="20%"|Club !! width="24%"|City !! width="22%"|Stadium !! width="9%" | Capacity !! Previous season
|-
| [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
| [[Agen]]  
| [[Stade Armandie]]
| align=center | 14,400
| 13th
|-
| [[Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne|Aurillac]]
| [[Aurillac]]  
| [[Stade Jean Alric]]
|  align=center | 9,000
| 9th
|-
| [[Biarritz Olympique|Biarritz]]
| [[Biarritz]]  
| [[Parc des Sports Aguiléra]]
| align=center | 15,000 
| 14th
|-
| [[AS Béziers Hérault|Béziers]]
| [[Béziers]]  
| [[Stade Raoul-Barrière]]
|  align=center | 18,555
| 3rd
|-
| [[CA Brive|Brive]]
| [[Brive-la-Gaillarde]]  
| [[Stade Amédée-Domenech]]
| align=center | 13,979
| 6th
|-
| [[Colomiers Rugby|Colomiers]]
| [[Colomiers]]  
| [[Stade Michel Bendichou]]
|  align=center | 11,430
| 10th
|-
| [[US Dax|Dax]]
| [[Dax, Landes|Dax]]  
| [[Stade Maurice Boyau]]
|  align=center | 7,262
| 5th
|-
| [[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]]
| [[Grenoble]]  
| [[Stade des Alpes]]
| align=center | 20,068
| 4th
|-
| [[Stade Montois|Mont-de-Marsan]]
| [[Mont-de-Marsan]]  
| [[Stade Guy Boniface]]
|  align=center | 16,800 
| 8th
|-
| [[US Montauban|Montauban]]
| [[Montauban]] 
| [[Stade Sapiac]]
|  align=center | 12,600 
| 15th
|-
| [[USON Nevers|Nevers]]
| [[Nevers]]  
| [[Stade du Pré Fleuri]]
|  align=center | 7,500
| 7th
|-
| [[Stade Niçois|Nice]]
| [[Nice]]  
| [[Stade des Arboras]] 
|  align=center | 3,000
| Promoted from [[2023–24 Championnat Fédéral Nationale season|2023–24 Championnat Fédéral Nationale]] (1st)
|-
| [[Oyonnax Rugby|Oyonnax]]
| [[Oyonnax]]  
| [[Stade Charles-Mathon]]
|  align=center | 11,500
| Relegated from [[2023–24 Top 14 season|2023–24 Top 14]] (14th)
|-
| [[Provence Rugby|Provence]]
| {{nowrap|[[Aix-en-Provence]]  
| [[Stade Maurice David]]
|  align=center | 8,767
| 1st
|-
| [[Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente|Soyaux Angoulême]]
| [[Angoulême]]  
| [[Stade Chanzy]]
|  align=center | 8,000 
| 12th
|-
| [[Valence Romans Drôme Rugby|Valence Romans]]
| [[Valence (city)|Valence]]  
| [[Stade Georges Pompidou]]
| align=center | 15,120
| 11th
|-
|}

{{col-break|width=30%}}
{{CSS crop|Location=right|bSize=400|cWidth=340|cHeight=340|oTop=5|oLeft=20|Description=Location of teams in the 2024–25 Rugby Pro D2 season |Content=
{{Location map+ |France |width=400|places=
{{Location map~ |France |lat=44.1925 |long=0.620556 |label=<small>[[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]</small> |position=bottom }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=44.93     |long=2.44  |label=<small>[[Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne|Aurillac]]</small>|position=bottom  }}
{{location map~ |France |lat=43.33472  |long=3.26611 |label=<small>[[AS Béziers Hérault|Béziers]]</small>|position=right }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=43.481944 |long=-1.537778 |label=<small>[[Biarritz Olympique|Biarritz]]</small>|position=left }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=45.16 |long=1.55  |label=<small>[[CA Brive|Brive]]</small> |position=top }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=43.62     |long=1.33  |label=<small>[[Colomiers Rugby|Colomiers]]</small> |position=right }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=43.712222 |long=-1.047222 |label=<small>[[US Dax|Dax]]</small> |position=left }}
{{location map~ |France |lat=45.166111 |long=5.709444 |label=<small>[[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]]</small> |position=right }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=43.895481 |long=-0.482786 |label=<small>[[Stade Montois|Mont-de-Marsan]]</small>|position=top }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=44.010278 |long=1.351667 |label=<small>[[US Montauban|Montauban]]</small>|position=right }} 
{{Location map~ |France |lat=46.992899 |long=3.161659  |label=<small>[[USON Nevers|Nevers]]</small>|position=left }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=43.673328 |long=7.258756  |label=<small>[[Stade Niçois|Nice]]</small>|position=top}}
{{Location map~|France|lat=46.253|long=5.6448|label_size=75|label=[[Oyonnax Rugby|Oyonnax]]|position=top }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=43.531127 |long=5.454025  |label=<small>[[Provence Rugby|Provence]]</small> |position=right }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=45.641862 |long=0.176211  |label=<small>[[Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente|Soyaux Angoulême]]</small>|position=top }}
{{Location map~ |France |lat=45.05073  |long=5.0557    |label=<small>[[Valence Romans Drôme Rugby|Valence]]</small> |position=left}}
}}}}
{{col-end}}

==Previous seasons==
===Access Match Era (2017-present)===
Starting in the 2017-18 Pro D2 season LNR introduced a new playoff format which the top six teams in the table would qualify for. Teams finishing first and second in the table would receive a bye while the third through sixth teams contest the first playoff round, with the winners advancing to play away in the semi-final. The Pro D2 final is then held at the home ground of the highest remaining seed, the winner of this game is crowned Pro D2 champions and gains direct promotion to the Top 14, replacing the team who finished bottom in the table.

The runner up contests an access match at their home ground against the team who finished second bottom in the Top 14, for the right to play in the Top 14 the next season.

Starting in the 2023–24 season the second bottom side in the Pro D2 contests a similar access match with the runner up of the Nationale, with both teams playing for the right to play in the Pro D2 the next year.

{|class=wikitable
|-
!Season
!ProD2 Playoff Champion
!Top14 Access Match
!Top14 Access Result
!ProD2 Access Match 
!ProD2 Access Result
!Direct Relegation

|-
|-
| [[2024–25 Rugby Pro D2 season|2024–25]]
| [[US Montauban]]
|[[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]] vs [[USA Perpignan]]
| 11-13, Perpignan stay in the Top 14<ref>{{cite web | url=https://top14.lnr.fr/feuille-de-match/2024-2025/access-top-14/11057-grenoble-perpignan | title=FC Grenoble vs USA Perpignan }}</ref>
| [[Stade Olympique Chambérien Rugby|SO Chambery]] vs [[Stade Aurillacois]] 
|15-45, Stade Aurillacois stay in the Pro D2 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://prod2.lnr.fr/feuille-de-match/2024-2025/access-pro-d2/11303-chambery-aurillac | title=Chamberry - Stade Aurillacois }}</ref>
| [[Stade Niçois]]
|-
| [[2023–24 Rugby Pro D2 season|2023–24]]
| [[Rugby Club Vannes|RC Vannes]]
|[[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]] vs [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]
| 18–20, Montpellier stay in the Top 14<ref>{{cite web | url=https://top14.lnr.fr/feuille-de-match/2023-2024/access-top-14/10254-grenoble-montpellier | title=FC Grenoble vs Montpellier }}</ref>
| [[RC Narbonne]] vs [[US Montauban]] 
|19-20, Montauban stay in the Pro D2 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/06/02/barrage-pro-d2-nationale-montauban-sauve-sa-peau-en-battant-narbonne-dun-petit-point-11989953.php | title=Montauban sauve sa peau en battant Narbonne d'un petit point }}</ref>
| [[Rouen Normandie Rugby|Rouen NR]]
|-
| [[2022–23 Rugby Pro D2 season|2022–23]]
| [[Oyonnax Rugby|Oyonnax]]
| [[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]] vs [[USA Perpignan]]
|19-33, Perpignan stay in the Top 14<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/06/03/en-direct-grenoble-perpignan-suivez-le-match-daccession-top-14-11238680.php | title=Grenoble - Perpignan : Le résumé de la victoire de l'USAP | newspaper=Rugbyrama.fr }}</ref>
|
|
| [[US Carcassonne|Carcassonne]], [[RC Massy|Massy]]
|-
| [[2021–22 Rugby Pro D2 season|2021–22]]
| [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]
| [[Stade Montois]] vs [[USA Perpignan]]
|16-41, Perpignan stay in the Top 14<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/top-14/2021-2022/top-14-perpignan-domine-mont-de-marsan-et-conserve-sa-place-en-top-14-pour-la-saison-prochaine_sto8990419/story.shtml | title=Perpignan domine Mont-de-Marsan et conserve sa place en Top 14 pour la saison prochaine }}</ref>
|
|
| [[RC Narbonne|Narbonne]], [[Union Sportive Bressane|Bourg-en-Bresse]]
|-
| [[2020–21 Rugby Pro D2 season|2020–21]]
| [[USA Perpignan|Perpignan]]
| [[Biarritz Olympique|Biarritz]] vs [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]
|6-6 AET (6–5 on penalties), Biarritz won promotion to the Top 14<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Biarritz/1261782 | title=Biarritz retrouve le Top 14 après sa victoire aux tirs au but face à Bayonne en barrage }}</ref>
|
|
| [[Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente|Soyaux Angoulême]], [[Valence Romans Drôme Rugby|Valence Romans]]
|-
| [[2019–20 Rugby Pro D2 season|2019–20]]
| colspan=6|League suspended after 23 rounds and ultimately cancelled owing to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in France]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Top-14-pro-d2-les-presidents-d-accord-pour-ne-pas-attribuer-de-titre/1132602|title=Top 14 - Pro D2 : les présidents d'accord pour ne pas attribuer de titre|publisher=L'Equipe|date=6 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
| [[2018–19 Rugby Pro D2 season|2018–19]]
| [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]
| [[CA Brive|Brive]] vs [[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]]
|28-22, Brive won promotion to the Top 14<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ledauphine.com/sport/2019/06/02/top-14-(access-match)-le-debriefing-de-brive-grenoble | title=RUGBY. Top 14 (Access match) : Le debriefing de Brive - Grenoble }}</ref>
|
|
| [[RC Massy|Massy]], [[Union Sportive Bressane|Bourg-en-Bresse]]
|-
| [[2017–18 Rugby Pro D2 season|2017–18]]
| [[USA Perpignan|Perpignan]]
| [[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]] vs [[Oyonnax Rugby|Oyonnax]]
| 47–22, Grenoble won promotion to the Top 14 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://all.rugby/match/10115/top-14-2017-2018/grenoble-oyonnax | title=Top 14 - Match report Grenoble vs Oyonnax, le 12/05/2018 }}</ref>
|
|
|[[RC Narbonne|Narbonne]], [[US Dax|Dax]]
|}

===1st Place Promotion and Playoff Expansion to 5th Placed Sides (2004-2017)===

Following the reduction of the Top 16 to the Top 14 the promotion format for the Pro D2 was changed to increase competition in the playoffs, as previously there was no jeopardy for the team having already won the league. Starting in the 2005–06 season the team finishing at the top of the table in the regular season was declared the winner and received automatic promotion to the Top 14. Teams placed 2nd through 5th then played in a direct playoff format to fight for the 2nd promotion slot.

During the 2004–05 season a playoff occurred in the Pro D2, however instead of automatic promotion, as would follow, the playoff winner became host for an Access Match for the 13th finishing side in the then Top 16. This match was won comprehensively by Section Paloise, meaning Stade Aurillacois were not promoted.

{|class=wikitable
|-
!Season
!Champion
!Play-off winner
!Relegated 
|-
|-
| [[2016–17 Rugby Pro D2 season|2016–17]]
| [[Oyonnax Rugby|Oyonnax]]
| [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
| [[CS Bourgoin-Jallieu|Bourgoin]], [[SC Albi|Albi]]
|-
| [[2015–16 Rugby Pro D2 season|2015–16]]
| [[Lyon OU|Lyon]]
| [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]
| [[Provence Rugby|Provence]], [[Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby|Tarbes]]
|-
| [[2014–15 Rugby Pro D2 season|2014–15]]
| [[Section Paloise|Pau]]
| [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
| [[RC Massy|Massy]]
|-
| [[2013–14 Rugby Pro D2 season|2013–14]] || [[Lyon OU|Lyon]] || [[Stade Rochelais|La Rochelle]] || [[Union Sportive Bressane|Bourg-en-Bresse]], [[FC Auch Gers|Auch]]
|-
| [[2012–13 Rugby Pro D2 season|2012–13]]
| [[Oyonnax Rugby|Oyonnax]]
| [[CA Brive|Brive]]
| [[RC Massy|Massy]], [[Provence Rugby|Aix-en-Provence]]
|-
| [[2011–12 Rugby Pro D2 season|2011–12]]
| [[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]]
| [[Stade Montois|Mont-de-Marsan]]
| [[CA Périgueux|Périgueux]], [[CS Bourgoin-Jallieu|Bourgoin]]
|-
| [[2010–11 Rugby Pro D2 season|2010–11]]
| [[Lyon OU|Lyon]]
| [[Union Bordeaux Bègles|Bordeaux Bègles]]
| [[CA Saint-Étienne Loire Sud Rugby|Saint-Étienne]], [[US Colomiers|Colomiers]]
|-
| [[2009–10 Rugby Pro D2 season|2009–10]]
| [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
| [[Stade Rochelais|La Rochelle]]
| [[CA Lannemezan|Lannemezan]]
|-
| [[2008–09 Rugby Pro D2 season|2008–09]]
| [[Racing 92|Racing Métro]]
| [[SC Albi|Albi]]
| [[AS Béziers Hérault|Béziers]], [[Union Sportive Bressane|Bourg-en-Bresse]]
|-
| [[2007–08 Rugby Pro D2 season|2007–08]]
| [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]]
| [[Stade Montois|Mont-de-Marsan]]
| [[Blagnac SCR|Blagnac]], [[USA Limoges|Limoges]]
|-
| [[2006–07 Rugby Pro D2 season|2006–07]]
| [[FC Auch Gers|Auch]]
| [[US Dax|Dax]]
| [[UA Gaillac|Gaillac]], [[US Colomiers|Colomiers]]
|-
| [[2005–06 Rugby Pro D2 season|2005–06]]
| [[US Montauban|Montauban]]
| [[SC Albi|Albi]]
| [[Union Sportive Tyrosse Rugby Côte Sud|Tyrosse]], [[Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne|Aurillac]], [[Provence Rugby|Aix]]
|-
| [[2004–05 Rugby Pro D2 season|2004–05]]
| [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]]
| [[Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne|Stade Aurillacois]]§
| [[CA Périgueux|Périgueux]], [[USA Limoges|Limoges]]
|-
|}

;Notes
§ In this season the Top 16 relegated additional teams to become the Top 14, therefore the first access match was played between Stade Aurillacois, winners of the Pro D2 playoffs, and Section Paloise, the 13th placed team in that years Top 16. The access match finished 13-46 and so despite winning the playoff format, Stade Aurillacois were not promoted.

===Establishment of the Pro D2 (2001-2004)===

For the first season of the Pro D2 it was decided that promotion would be given to the top two sides in the table, however following that first year a playoff format was introduced, with the top 4 sides qualifying and playing in a single elimination bracket to decide the champion for that season, and subsequent promotion to the Top 14. The second promotion slot was given to the remaining playoff team which had the highest position in the league table.

{|class=wikitable
|-
!Season
!Champion
!Additionally Promoted
!Relegated 
|-
| [[2003–04 Rugby Pro D2 season|2003–04]]
| [[FC Auch Gers|Auch]]
| [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]], finished 1st in the table
| [[CA Bordeaux-Bègles Gironde|Bordeaux-Bègles]]
|-
| [[2002–03 Rugby Pro D2 season|2002–03]]
| [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]
| [[CA Brive|Brive]], finished 1st in the table
| [[RC Aubenas Vals|Aubenas Vals]], Marmande
|-
| [[2001–02 Rugby Pro D2 season|2001–02]]
| [[Stade Montois|Mont-de-Marsan]]
| [[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]], finished 2nd in the table
| [[FCS Rumilly|Rumilly]], [[US Tours|Tours]] 
|-
|}

==Number of league titles==

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

*[[Lyon OU|Lyon]] (3)
*[[Oyonnax Rugby|Oyonnax]] (3)
*[[FC Auch Gers|Auch]] (2)
*[[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]] (2)
*[[US Montauban|Montauban]] (2)
*[[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] (2)
*[[USA Perpignan|Perpignan]] (2)
*[[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]] (1)
*[[FC Grenoble|Grenoble]] (1)
*[[Stade Montois|Mont-de-Marsan]] (1)
*[[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]] (1)
*[[Section Paloise|Pau]] (1)
*[[Racing 92|Racing Métro]] (1)
*[[RC Vannes]]  (1)
*[[US Montauban]] (1)

{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=a}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==See also==
* [[National Rugby League (France)|Ligue Nationale de Rugby]]
* [[Rugby union in France]]

==External links==
* {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lnr.fr/rugby-pro-d2 Rugby Pro D2] – Official website
* {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.rugbyrama.fr/ Midi Olympique]

{{Pro D2}}
{{Rugby union in France}}
{{Top-level rugby union club competitions}}

[[Category:Rugby union leagues in France|2]]
[[Category:Professional sports leagues in France]]
[[Category:Second level rugby union leagues in Europe|France]]