It seems like the players were left in the dark.
This is about to get very messy.
This morning, a controversial announcement was made which has shaken the rugby world.
Paris-based Top 14 clubs, Racing 92 and Stade Francais are to merge into one ‘superclub’ ahead of next season.
This is unexpected https://t.co/oSKIBjL6q2
— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) March 13, 2017
It’s remarkable to think that these two clubs, who are rivals, and who have such distinct history behind them, will be no more.
Let’s put it this way, it would be like Munster and Leinster joining together and becoming ‘Lunster’.
Yeah, we can’t imagine it would go down well with the club’s respective supporters, either.
And how do the players feel?
Not only do they not know whether they will be in a job or not next season but they clearly will feel great pain that the clubs which they proudly represent will no longer exist.
Stade Francais lock, Paul Gabrillagues, took to Facebook to reveal his bitter disappointment at today’s news.
“It’s not a merger, it’s the takeover of the stade français by the racing… so the death of our club, the club of Paris. I pitch to this masquerade. Show yourselves and show that we are many to love this club,” via Google Translate.
French rugby journalist, Gavin Mortimer, has also revealed some further startling revelations, including that the players had no idea of these plans until a meeting this morning.
Just spoken to one of the Stade Francais players, who wishes to remain anonymous. He said: "We were called into a meeting this morning
1/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017
…and told about the merger. It's 100% out of the blue. No one had a clue, not the players nor the coaches."
2/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017
"There are some distraught players, others are pissed off. It's tough to take. The future's very uncertain. It's every man for himself"
3/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017
Reports in France are also suggesting that this has been in the pipeline for 10 months.
Asked about the reports in the French press that Stade first approached Racing about a merger 10 months ago, the player said:
4/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017
"That makes sense, I guess. We've signed no new players in that time but we've let a lot go."
5/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017
Motivation for playing could be an issue right now too.
Six games to go in the season, will the players fight to the end?
"To be honest, I'm not sure right now. A great club has been ruined
6/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017
… but we will probably be the last players to ever wear the Stade jersey so that is something to consider."
7/7— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017
French sports publication, L’Equipe, is also reporting that the players may go on strike ahead of their upcoming clash against Castres.
According to @lequipe Pascal Pape was particularly upset when the news was announced. Paper says SF may strike instead of playing Castres
— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 13, 2017