Two new teams from the 2010–11 Rugby Pro D2 season were promoted to Top 14 this year, Lyon and Bordeaux Bègles in place of the two relegated teams, La Rochelle and Bourgoin.

If a team from France wins one of these competitions, the Top 14 will receive a seventh Heineken Cup place.

Under LNR rules, only Top 14 clubs are eligible for European competition.

This means that in the (unlikely) event that the winner of one of the two European Cups is relegated from the Top 14 in the same season, its European place will go to a current Top 14 team, based on league position in that season.

If that club is in the Top 14, it will receive a Heineken Cup place regardless of its league position, as long as it avoids relegation.