There was quite the surprise this morning in French rugby, with the announcement that two of the country's biggest clubs will merge to form one Paris-based side.
Last year's Top 14 champions Racing 92 are set to combine with the 2015 winners Stade Francais, in a move that was reportedly initiated by Stade 10 months ago.
A joint-statement says that the creation of one Parisian club will "preserve the roots" of both teams, while "increasing the resources available to serve youth and French rugby".
"These two flagship clubs of Paris, beyond the sporting rivalry they have enjoyed, have many other similarities: a strong local and regional presence, a historic coaching program, age-old ties with The Olympic movement and an incessant desire to progress in all areas.
"It is on the basis of these principles that the two clubs are laying the foundations for a merger project by pooling their resources to better cope with the challenges of performance and development."
However the proposal has not gone down well with the Stade Francais players in particular.
Second-row Paul Gabrillagues has been scathing in his criticism of the decision on Facebook, calling on fellow players and fans to protest against the movement.
"It's not a merger, it's the takeover of the Stade Français by the Racing... so the death of our club, the club of Paris. I pitch to this masquerade. Show yourselves and show that we are many to love this club" (Translated from French)
Stade's French International Pascal Pape was also angered, with this tweet translating as, "Today my sadness is so big that I prefer not to comment! I will be very soon".
Aujourd'hui ma tristesse est tellement grande que je ne préfère pas commenter !! Je communiquerai très prochainement.
— Papé Pascal (@pascalpape) March 13, 2017
French sports newspaper L'Equipe are reporting that Stade's players are even considering going on strike for this weekend's game against Castres.
L'Equipe broke the story this morning, before the announcement was made official, and suggest that the club will be based at Racing's new Arena 92 which is due to be completed this summer.
It also leaves a number of players and coaches on the lookout for new jobs. Could one of those be Ronan O'Gara? We'd better watch this space.
