Stade Français and Racing 92, winners, respectively, of the Top 14 in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, said they will merge into one club this autumn, pooling their financial ressources in order to build a single team of 'reference'.
StadeStade Français and Racing 92, two leading French rugby union clubs both based in the Paris region, announced plans on Monday to merge, reports The Telegraph.
The clubs, which have both struggled this season in France's premier Top 14 league, said in statements on their websites that the combination would create a new, stronger club that could enjoy a bigger fanbase in the French capital.
Star players in the Racing 92 squad include New Zealand World Cup winners Dan Carter and Joe Rokocoko, while Stade Francais' top players feature the likes of French international Pascal Pape and Italian Sergio Parisse.
Wealthy businessmen have invested large sums of money in recent years into French rugby clubs, allowing them to sign top players from around the world.