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Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second division (skill level) of the domestic club "rugby union" in France. Rugby Pro D2 is the skill level directly below the first division, Top 14. Pro D2 was introduced in 2000. There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition. The top club at the end of the season is automatically promoted to the Top 14; the 2nd through 5th place teams play each other for the second promotion place. The bottom two are automatically relegated to Fédérale 1. The bottom two clubs of the Top 14 and the top two of Fédérale 1 then enter the Rugby Pro D2 for the next season. There are 30 rounds in the regular season, with each team playing each other team home and away. The two halves of the season are played in the same order, with the away team in the first half of the season at home in the second half. The semi-finals and final take place in May, with the second- and third-place teams hosting the semi-finals and the final taking place at a predetermined site. At present, 16 clubs compete in the competition. All promotions are contingent on passing a postseason financial audit required for all clubs. Also, if a club above the bottom two places fails the audit, it may be relegated in the place of a club that would otherwise have been relegated. ==Current teams== 2015–16 season Changes in the lineup from 2014–15 were: * Pau won the 2014–15 Pro D2 title and were thereby automatically promoted to the Top 14. Agen won the promotion playoffs to secure the second promotion place. * The bottom finisher in 2014–15, Massy, was relegated from Pro D2 to Fédérale 1. Second-from-bottom Dax was spared relegation when Fédérale 1 runner-up Lille was denied promotion. * The two bottom finishers in the 2014–15 Top 14 season, Bayonne and Lyon, were relegated to Pro D2. * The champion of Fédérale 1, Provence (then known as Pays d'Aix), earned promotion. Runner-up Lille was denied promotion by LNR's financial watchdog, DNACG, due to excessive debt. Lille appealed the decision, but was unsuccessful.〔 Because Lille's appeal ran up against the start of the Pro D2 season on 21 August, LNR postponed the first two matches that would have involved Lille or Dax, while allowing the season to start on schedule for other teams. Dax's first two matches were made up in September.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Rugby Pro D2」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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