Top 14

The Top 14 (French pronunciation: [tɔp katɔʁz]) is a professional rugby union league in France and the highest level of the French rugby union system. Created in 1892, the Top 14 is operated by the National Rugby League (LNR). Contested by 14 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Pro D2. The Top 14 is the oldest national rugby union club competition in the world.

The league is one of the three major professional leagues in Europe (along with the English Premiership and the United Rugby Championship, which brings together top clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa), from which the most successful teams go forward to compete in the European Rugby Champions Cup, the championship which replaced the Heineken Cup after the 2013–14 season.

The first ever final took place in 1892, between two Paris-based sides, Stade Français and Racing Club de France, which were the only teams playing the competition that year, with the latter becoming the inaugural champions. Since then, the competition has been held on an annual basis, except from 1915 to 1919—because of World War I—and from 1940 to 1942—because of World War II. Each year, the winning team is presented with the Bouclier de Brennus, a famous trophy awarded from 1892. Toulouse is the most successful club in the competition with 24 titles.