The Top 16 league is currently divided into two groups of eight with an end-of-season play-off but the new proposal is to put all the teams into the same division.

This would increase the amount of matches from 43 to 53 in an already tight schedule for most French clubs, especially Toulouse, who are also performing extremely well in Europe.

"We are not against the idea but when it involves 16 clubs it means there will be too many matches to play," Pelous told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"We are looking for an alternative solution to be heard by the rugby authorities but if we have no choice, then we will go on strike, he warned.

The number eight faces a dilemma as the heavy schedule his team face at the end of the season could force him to miss Frances summer tour to the United States and Canada.

On top of the play-offs at the end of May and the final in June, Toulouse's European Cup final against Wasps on May 23 at Twickenham means the games will be coming thick and fast.

Frances trip to North America is scheduled from June 27 to July 11, which means the France captain would hardly have any time off before next season.