RugbyRebels

A load of teams relegated due to financial issues according to wikipedia. Anybody have any more details?

Yes, Biarritz, Narbonne and Bourgoin, I think are the clubs implicated in being relegated to Fédérale 1 due to "financial irregularities".
The decision was made about three weeks ago and I understood that the clubs could appeal or come up with the dough within two weeks of the decision - one week ago, and all I've heard is that a family who gave a loan to Biarritz have written it off in order to save the club, but I've heard nothing since.
Tarbes had already been relegated for similar problems, so if some of these other clubs go down, Provence Rugby, the club who finished in last place could stay in ProD2.

Usch, some big names there.

All three saved their skin and play ProD 2 next season again.

The new season's ProD2 gets underway this evening with Perpignan at home to Mont de Marsan, who should both make the top 6 at the end of the season.
So, who are the favourites for promotion to the Top14? My money would be on Agen and Perpignan.
The newcomers are Vannes and Soyaux Angoulême who may find the going a bit tough.

25/08/2016
Perpignan v Mont-de-Marsan
26/08/2016
Albi v Carcassonne
Bourgoin v Colomiers
US Dax v Stade Aurillacois
US Oyonnax v Soyaux Angoulême
Vannes v Montauban
Biarritz Olympique v Narbonne
28/08/2016
Béziers v SU Agen