until the 2007–08 season. Although they finished 12th that season, which would normally have kept them in the top flight, they were forcibly relegated to Pro D2 due to financial issues. The following season, they finished third on the regular-season table, qualifying for the promotion playoffs. Their home playoff semifinal against La Rochelle ended 12–12 in regulation. Each team slotted a penalty in extra time, which ended 15–15. Under French rules, the first tiebreaker in such a situation is fewest red cards. Since neither side had a player sent off, the next tiebreaker is number of tries, followed by number of penalties scored. Albi went through because they had kicked 5 penalties to La Rochelle's 4 (and one drop goal). They defeated Oyonnax 14–12 in the playoff final on 31 May 2009 in Montpellier to secure their place in the Top 14 2009–2010 season. By April 2010 the club had already been relegated from the Top 14 after recording only 3 wins all season. Honours French league, Division 1: (predecessor to today's Top 14) Round of 16 : 1955, 1974 Rugby Pro D2: Promotion playoff winners: 2006, 2009 French League, Division 1, B Group: (second division; predecessor to today's Pro D2) semi-final: 1980, 1986 French league, Nationale 1: (Div 3, highest amateur level) Runner-up: 2000 French league, Promotion Nationale: (Div 3, highest amateur level) Runner-up: 2001 French league, Fédérale 1: (Div 3, highest amateur level) Runner-up: 2002 Championnat des Pyrénées: Winner 1926 Current standings Current squad The current Albi squad is: Notable former players Robert Basauri René Bousquet. 9 caps. One of the 15 Frenchmen who defeated England for the first time in 1927. Pierre Danos Charles-Antoine Gonnet. 16 cap. Also beat the English in 1927. Bernard Momméjat. 9 caps with SCA. French president Georges Pompidou accepted to be honorary chairman of the club in 1969 and paid his fees regularly until he died in 1974. . See also List of rugby union clubs in France Rugby union in France References External links SC Albi Official website Club volunteers’ website Albi Rugby clubs established in 1906 Midi-Pyrénées Occitania (administrative region) Sport in Albi 1906 establishments in France