Fédérale 1 is the third division of women's rugby union in France. The competition was founded in 2003, two teams are promoted to Élite 2 and four teams are relegated to Fédérale 2.
History The Fédérale 1 championship in 2014–2015 saw its format evolve with the merging of the three existing federal divisions until then into a single federal division Pratique à XV.
The reserve teams of the first division clubs participated in the competition until 2022. An Elite Reserves competition was created in 2022.
Format The competition normally involves 32 teams, it is played in two phases: a qualifying phase (four groups of eight) and a final phase. At the end of each season, two teams are promoted to Élite 2 and four teams are relegated to Fédérale 2.
Qualifying phase The 32 teams are divided into four geographical groups of eight teams. The clubs finishing in first and second place in each group – eight teams – qualify for the play-off phase. At the end of the qualifying phase, the teams ranked last in each group are relegated to Fédérale 2.
Final phase The final phase consists of a knockout tournament starting at the quarter-final stage. All matches are played in a single-elimination format on neutral ground. The two finalists are promoted to Elite 2. The winner of the final is crowned Fédérale 1 Champion.
Champions SeasonChampionScoreRunner-up2001–02Montpellier RC2002–03CSM Puteaux2003–04Nice Université Racing RC2004–05Stade Dijonnais Côte d'Or2005–06RC Lons19–0Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Women2006–07La Valette29–5Avenir Fonsorbais2007–08RC Jacou Montpellier Nord8–6ES Nanterre2008–09RC Jacou Montpellier Nord14–5ES Saint-Pierre-des-Corps2009–10Nice Université Racing RC15–12AS Béziers Hérault2010–11Pachys d'Herm22–13US Nérac2011–12Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby12–12Lyon OR2012–13Lyon OR29–8Stade Olympique Villelonguet2013–14UA Gaillac15–3Castres Women's Rugby2014–15 La Rochelle Pallice Ocean Club14–3Grenoble UC2015–16 Stade Olympique Villelonguet11–10Stade Français2016–17 RC Narbonne32–13Rueil AC2017–18 ES Bruges Blanquefort17–15Stade Montois2018–19Montpellier RC B12–6Stade Toulousain B2019–20The FRF cancelled all amateur competitions for the 2019–20, and 2020–21 seasons due to the lockdown period following the COVID-19 pandemic.2020–212021–22US Joué33–10Rass. Union bords de Marne Vitry2022–23CA Brive18–6RAS Stado TPR Ibos2023–24AS Bayonne23–20Chilly-Mazarin RC2024–25Racing 9229–21Colomiers / Leguevin2025–26TBDTBDTBD
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