Back to the future again for Biarritz

THE decision, when it came, was no great surprise.

- JAMES HARRINGTON

ProD2 side Biarritz, relegated for financial reasons shortly after the end of their campaign, learned on Friday that they had been reinstated on appeal - but would start next season with a three-point deduction.

In a statement on its website, the club said it was, "proud and relieved" to learn of its survival in the second-tier of French rugby, which came less than a week before the players were due to start returning to training.

"It is the culmination of a lot of work by all local stakeholders: partners, members, town hall, employees, and investors," it went on. "Staying in the league is the first step, and we will now officially launch this [new] season with determination."

It's a slightly complicated and boringly financial story, but basically - Biarritz, which had changed hands for a nominal €1 in May 2024 was short some €750,000 on its budget at the end of the 2024/25 season. That, and the fact the club could not provide guarantees of future investment, was enough for the league's financial watchdog to pull the plug.