Date set for postponed 'strike matches'

Last month's planned merger fell through after Stade's players went on strike but by then the LNR had already postponed matches involving the two Parisian clubs.

That set off a dispute between the LNR and the French Rugby Federation (FFR), which cancelled the LNR's decision to postpone the games.

On Tuesday the LNR said Castres-Stade Francais would now be played on Wednesday, April 19 with Montpellier-Racing taking place on Saturday, April 22.

That decision came a day after the LNR said it was taking legal action against the FFR to have the decision to cancel the postponements itself annulled.

The FFR had not taken a decision regarding what to do about the postponed matches, leaving all four sides affected in limbo.

Both matches are crucial in the race to reach the end of season Top 14 play-offs.

Racing and Stade's owners had announced a merger plan on March 13, only for Stade's players to go on strike a day later.

The two postponed fixtures were due to take place on March 18 but the day before the LNR called them off.

On March 20 the merger plan was ditched while two days later the FFR stepped into the affair and cancelled the LNR's decision.

Since then the four teams have been waiting to find out what will be done about the two postponed fixtures in an already crowded calendar.

Agence France-Presse