Under the guidance of Romain Poite, a group of 100 young amateur referees is preparing for a path toward the professional ranks. This initiative takes on added importance due to an estimated shortage of around 600 active referees in France. Poite is leading a program that includes these young match officials, who have an average age of 25. Before some of them reach the elite level of the 27 professional referees in France, they officiate in the National, National 2, and Fédérale 1 leagues. This experience allows them to handle challenging amateur matches and transition more quickly to the professional level, in a sector that currently lacks a clear succession plan. "When we arrived two years ago, we set up a professional cell, and since the beginning of September, we have expanded it to the amateur elite. We focus on precision and performance to reach the highest level. These young people aspire to a professional career and they have clearly understood what that entails," said Romain Poite. The training program is designed for the highest level of refereeing. In recent years, the physical training of these young referees has shifted to focus less on endurance and more on reactivity and intensity. Tests such as the "yoyo test" and the "bronco test" are used as benchmarks, though in a less demanding version than that of professionals. However, the main part of the work is conducted through video analysis, with case studies and performance reviews. The framework is less intensive than that of professionals: one monthly video conference, supplemented by two training sessions during the season—one in August and one mid-season. A dozen former referees support Poite and Cédric Marchat in guiding this group, who are identified from regional leagues and then promoted up to the Fédérale 1 level. Approximately thirty of these young referees could potentially become professionals, according to Poite. In the past, referees were recruited from former players, but now the focus is on ambitious young people who aim directly for professional status. This shift has raised the overall level of the group. Poite believes that 25 years is the ideal age to identify those who may one day referee the best players in the country. This program operates under the auspices of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), with funding benefiting from the returns of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). "We have established a succession plan over several years, he says. But it is difficult to predict how many of these hopes will become professionals. One can say that about thirty may qualify. We feel we are polishing the diamond, rather than creating added value," said Romain Poite. The urgency of the project is underscored by the shortage of referees. This training effort takes on particular significance in light of figures provided by the French Rugby Federation (FFR). According to the FFR’s official page, there are more than 2,700 referees active every weekend across the country. Its president, Florian Grill, confirms this number, noting a need estimated at 3,300 referees to cover all matches. A May 2024 publication mentioned approximately 2,900 referees per weekend, while a departmental committee mentions nearly 3,000, all categories combined. These discrepancies do not challenge the overall magnitude of the deficit. With 2,700 referees for a need of 3,300, there is a shortage of approximately 600, or nearly an 18% deficit. This figure should be considered in relation to the 424,200 licensed players that XV-a-side rugby has in France. In other words, Poite's initiative is not only about managing individual careers: it concerns the ability of French rugby to cover all its matches every weekend.