PARIS (AP) " Stade Francais and Racing 92 will not join forces to create a super rugby club in the Paris region after all. Racing 92 President Jacky Lorenzetti said on Sunday on the club's website that he "gave up on the merger with the Stade Francais Paris, in agreement with Thomas Savare," the Stade Francais boss. "I've also heard their deep bond to the Stade Francais Paris' independence, a bond that comes before all other considerations." Racing 92 is the reigning French champion and both clubs play in the top-tier Top 14 championship. The teams won the inaugural French titles " Racing in 1892 and Stade Francais in 1893 " and have claimed 20 titles between them.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 19, 2017 12:31 UTC