Stade Rochelais hosts LOU in debut match

This Sunday, October 25, the Stade Rochelais will host the LOU at 17h45 at the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium. The Rochelaises, newly promoted to the elite division, will face the Lyonnaises, who have been a consistent presence in the top flight since 2019.

Top 14 match follows women’s game

The women’s match will be followed by a Top 14 encounter between La Rochelle and Union Bordeaux-Bègles, scheduled for 21h05 on Canal+. This pairing highlights the growing integration of women’s rugby into mainstream sports programming.

French women’s XV in New Zealand

The French women's XV is currently playing a series of tests in New Zealand. This timing is ideal for launching the AXA Élite 1 with a special poster broadcast on Canal+ Sport, increasing visibility for the women’s championship.

New media agreement boosts exposure

Since a 2024 agreement between the FFR, LNR, and Canal+, the Élite 1 has received more media attention. The plan is to air certain female matches alongside Top 14 games in the same stadiums, aiming to attract a wider audience and bring more recognition to the women’s division.

Broadcasts aim to highlight women’s rugby

This season, the La Rochelle-Lyon match will open the television broadcast for the Élite 1. More matches are planned as part of the partnership, though not all have been officially announced. This weekend’s events aim to showcase the talents in women’s rugby, even with some international players absent.