- What is a hybrid lawn?
- A hybrid lawn combines natural grass and synthetic fibers (often polyethylene) implanted in the ground. This mixture improves impact resistance, rebound regularity and durability, even under heavy load or in bad weather.
- How does the LNR assess the quality of the pitches in the Top 14?
- The NRL uses a strict protocol including rebound, pull strength, lift, drainage and player safety testing. Lawns are rated on a scale of 0 to 100, with minimum thresholds to be respected for each criterion.
- Which other clubs in the Top 14 have invested in hybrid lawns?
- Several Top 14 clubs have adopted hybrid pitches in recent years, such as Stade Toulousain, Stade Rochelais and ASM Clermont. However, only Stade Marcel-Deflandre achieved full marks in the LNR's latest assessment.
- Does this ranking directly influence the performance of Stade Rochelais?
- Indirectly, yes. A quality pitch optimizes playing conditions, reduces the risk of injury and allows players to train in ideal conditions. For a club like La Rochelle, used to the final stages and European matches, this stability is a competitive advantage.
- What is the cost of maintaining a hybrid pitch like that of the Stade Marcel-Deflandre?
- Maintaining a hybrid lawn is more expensive than a classic natural lawn, with annual costs estimated between 150,000 and 300,000 euros depending on sources. This includes watering, fertilizing, local repairs and replacing synthetic fibers.
