France Elite Season 2010-14

Carcassonne 2010. Pic Gerard Barrau

This is part of a series that charts the clubs that have played elite Rugby league in France in five year increments. We continue with the early 2010s. The chart has points I have allocated according to where teams finished in the League, Finals and Cup competitions. Any feedback is appreciated in the comments section below.  

To start at the beginning of the series, simply click on the following dates 1960-64. 

2009-10: Lézignan showed potential in the early 2000s but came alive here, taking all, the trophies on offer. Limoux, Carcassonne and Limoux were competitive but none were a match for the treble winners.

2010-11: To show that the previous season was no fluke, Lézignan did it again! Pia and Limoux were closest to them. St Gaudens left the top flight after many years of being part of the setup. 

2011-12: Things changed with Pia winning the league and Carcassonne prevailing in the grand final and cup. Lézignan tried hard but was unable to get close to the two previous seasons. Toulouse was back in the big time again after three years away. 

2012-13: Pia was the best team with league and grand final titles and Avignon taking the cup home. RC Lescure-Arthes XIII brief flirtation with Elite One status ended this year. 

2013-14: Pia was gone, Limoux won the league and Toulouse took the grand final and cup trophies. The Palau Broncos arrived in the top flight and have stayed ever since despite being based in a tiny village near the Spanish border. 

Summary: Lézignan did well over this period with Carcassone, Pia and Limoux not far behind. St Estève-Catalan were very consistent but didn't win anything. Toulouse came back and was soon making its presence felt. 

Point of interest: The Pia Donkeys decided to pull out of the Elite One competition, demoting themselves due to new financial circumstances. It's a shame that such had to happen but the way the clubs are structured in France, their ownership system can cause this sort of thing to happen. 

For the following article in the series, please click the dates 2015-19.