As the name suggests, there are 14 teams in the Top 14. Each team plays each other in a two-legged format, so there are 26 rounds (13*2).
How does the TOP 14 rankings work ?
A win earns 4 points, a draw 2 points for each team and a defeat 0 point. So far, it's easy to understand, which is why bonus points have been added, otherwise it would be too simple.
The attacking bonus:
A team that scores three tries more than its opponent is rewarded with an attacking bonus. This bonus gives you an extra point in the standings.
A victory with an attacking bonus therefore earns the winning team 5 points (4+1).
The defensive bonus:
For the losing team, a defensive bonus point has been introduced. To earn this point, you must lose by a margin of 5 points or less. This defensive bonus point allows the beaten team to gain 1 point in the standings.
Summary of TOP 14 points :
- Win: 4 points
- Draw: 2 points
- Loss: 0 point
- Offensive bonus: 1 additional point
- Defensive bonus: 1 point
Can the same team get the offensive and defensive bonuses in a match?
The answer is YES. It is rare but a team can get the offensive bonus while losing the match. If, on top of that, they lose by 5 points or less, they also get a defensive bonus. This would give the team 2 points in the standings (1+1).
Example: Clermont lost to Toulon 19-21.
Clermont scored 3 tries, 2 of which were converted, and Toulon scored 7 penalties.
In this case, Toulon pockets the 4 points for victory, while Clermont pockets 2 points with the offensive bonus (3 more tries than the opponent) and defensive bonus (defeat by 5 points or less).
Is the team finishing 1st in the standings after 26 rounds the direct champion?
The answer is NO, because once again that would be too easy.
After the regular phase, there is a final phase. What's incredible about the TOP 14 is that the team finishing in 6th place can be champion - crazy, isn't it?
The first 2 teams in the ranking qualify for the semi-finals.
The 3rd-placed team plays the 6th-placed team at home in a play-off.
The 4th-placed team plays the 5th-placed team at home in a play-off.
The winners of both play-offs play the top two teams in the semi-finals at a venue scheduled at the start of the season (Bordeaux for the 2023/2024 season).
The winners of the semi-finals meet in the final at the Stade de France to decide the season's champion (the final will exceptionally be played in Marseille in 2024 in preparation for the Olympic Games).
What's happening at the bottom of the table?
The team ranked 14th and last is relegated to Pro D2 (2nd division).
The team ranked 13th plays an accession play-off match against the loser of the Pro D2 final. The match takes place at the home of the Pro D2 member and the winner of this match either stays in or moves up to the Top 14.
