Castres chairman blasts French chiefs

The two sides were supposed to play on March 18 but the match was postponed as Stade's players were on strike over a proposed merger with their Parisian rivals Racing 92 which fell through.

"We still don't know if our match against Stade Francais will be played or not," moaned Revol in a letter to the French league (LNR) and federation (FFR).

"This unprecedented situation cannot persist," added Revol, who implored rugby officials to find a solution "as quickly as possible".

"Our team needs to be treated with respect as it wants to prepare with a fixed calendar like all the other Top 14 sides."

Castres are currently fifth in the Top 14 and in the thick of the battle to secure a top six finish and play-off berth.

The LNR wants to rearrange the postponed fixture – and Racing's clash with Montpellier, which was also called off – but the FFR disagrees, which has left an impasse with the four teams unsure when or if those matches will be played.

Agence France-Presse