FC Grenoble Rugby

This article is about the rugby team of Grenoble. For the football team, see Grenoble Foot 38. For the basketball club, see FC Grenoble (basketball).
FC Grenoble Rugby
Full nameFootball Club de Grenoble Rugby
Nickname(s)The foreign Legion (1954)
The Mammoths (1991-1994)
The Pacific Connection (1999)
Founded1892; 132 years ago (1892)
LocationGrenoble, France
Ground(s)Stade des Alpes (Capacity: 20,068)
PresidentPatrick Goffi
Coach(es)Aubin Hueber
League(s)Pro D2
2022–232nd (lost playoff final/Relegation play-off)
Team kit
2nd kit
Official website
fcgrugby.com

The Football Club de Grenoble Rugby (FCG) is a French rugby union club based in Grenoble and founded in 1892.

FCG was champion of France in 1954 and runner-up in 1918 and in 1993 during a controversial final, being deprived of the title of champion of France following a refereeing error.[1]

The club also won the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1987 and was finalist in 1969, 1986 and 1990.

FC Grenoble played in the Top 14, the top level of the French league system, for the 2019–2020 season, but were relegated to Pro D2 at the season end. Grenoble have played home matches at the Stade des Alpes (capacity 20,068) since 2014–2015. The club's colors are red and blue. The FCG is currently chaired by Patrick Goffi. The first team is supervised by several specialists: Aubin Hueber as head coach, Nicolas Nadau senior coach, Patrick Pézery forwards coach and Tom Palmer defence coach.

History[edit]

The club was founded in 1892 following the merger of the main clubs in Grenoble in Rhône-Alpes.

Runners-up French Championship 1918[edit]

After becoming champions of the Alps in 1912, FCG reached the final of the Coupe de l'Espérance in 1918, which replaced the old championship of France during the First World War. Since then Grenoble have regularly featured in the finals. Grenoble contributed notable players to the original French National Team, among them Edmond Besset and Felix Lasserre and Edmond Vellat. In 1931, Grenoble was one of 14 clubs who left the French Rugby Federation to create their own organization, UFRA.

French Champion 1954[edit]

In 1954, the first team, then coached by Roger Bouvarel, wrote the most beautiful page in the history of the club. The team was nicknamed by the press the foreign Legion. FC Grenoble won his first Bouclier de Brennus and became champion of France after a 5–3 victory against the U.S. Cognac. Champions in 1954 :

  • France Roger Baqué
  • France Guy Belletante
  • Italy Innocent Bionda
  • France Pierre Claret
  • France Henri Coquet
  • France René Duhau
  • France Georges Echevet
  • Italy Sergio Lanfranchi
  • France Jean Liénard
  • France René Martin
  • France André Morel
  • Italy Duilio Parolai
  • Russia Michel Pliassoff
  • Estonia Paul Rein
  • Poland Eugène Smogor

Runners-up European Championship 1963[edit]

With Jean Liénard became coach, Grenoble played the final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA in 1963.

Runners-up of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1969[edit]

In 1969, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the US Dax on the score of 24–12.

Runners-up of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1986[edit]

In 1986, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the AS Montferrand on the score of 22–15.

Winner of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1987[edit]

In 1987, Grenoble won the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the SU Agen on the score of 26–7. This is the second major trophy for the club. The winners of the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1987 :

  • France Frédéric Boutin
  • New Zealand Martin Brooke
  • France Gilbert Brunat
  • France Hervé Chaffardon
  • France Gilles Claret
  • France Éric Ferruit
  • France Alain Gely
  • France Stéphane Geraci
  • France Willy Pepelnjak
  • France Robert Petuello
  • France Thierry Picard
  • France Jean-Marc Romand
  • France Bernard Vacchino
  • France Frédéric Vélo
  • France Richard Zago

Runners-up of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1990[edit]

In 1990, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the RC Narbonne on the score of 24–19.

A second French championship Title denied following a refereeing error 1993[edit]

The arrival of Jacques Fouroux in control of the team for the 1992-93 season associated with Michel Ringeval marks the beginning of a new era called the Mammoths of Grenoble.[2] Despite overpowering pack Grenoble tilts on the score of 14–11.[3] A try of Olivier Brouzet is denied to Grenoble[4] and the decisive try by Gary Whetton was awarded by the referee, Daniel Salles, when in fact the defender Franck Hueber from Grenoble touched down the ball first in his try zone. This error gave the title to Castres.[5] Salles admitted the error 13 years later[6] .[7] .[8] Fouroux conflict with the Federation and who was already suspicious before the match of the referee[9] cry out conspiracy.[10] Players Championship controversial Final in 1993 :

  • France Martial Servantes
  • France Willy Taofifénua
  • France Philippe Tapié
  • France Patrice Vacchino
  • France Frédéric Vélo

Since then the club has struggled.

First participation in the Heineken Cup 2000[edit]

FC Grenoble play the 1999–2000 Heineken Cup in Pool 6. FCG is the only team to beat Nothampton the future winner of the event.

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
England Northampton 6 5 0 1 19 7 12 184 87 97 10
France FC Grenoble 6 3 0 3 13 15 −2 110 140 −30 6
Scotland Edinburgh Reivers 6 3 0 3 13 19 −6 112 158 −46 6
Wales Neath 6 1 0 5 13 17 −4 128 149 −21 2
Results
Date Stadium Team Score Team
19 November Netherdale, Galashiels Scotland Edinburgh 23 - 18 FC Grenoble
27 November Lesdiguières, Grenoble France FC Grenoble 20 - 18 Northampton Saints
11 December The Gnoll, Neath Wales Neath RFC 43 - 14 FC Grenoble
18 December Lesdiguières, Grenoble France FC Grenoble 21 - 10 Neath RFC
9 January Franklin's Gardens, Northampton England Northampton Saints 27 - 16 FC Grenoble
15 January Lesdiguières, Grenoble France FC Grenoble 21 - 19 Edinburgh

Descent and come back in the elite[edit]

FC Grenoble Playing in the Top 14 in 2014

They were relegated to the French second division and came back again. At the end of 2004–05, they were relegated to the French second division, Rugby Pro D2, after the top level was reduced from sixteen to fourteen teams. However, they were relegated even further, to the amateur Fédérale 1, due to financial problems; an audit of the club's books revealed debts of €3.64 million as of 30 June 2005.[11] They earned promotion back to the professional ranks at the first opportunity, and played in Pro D2, in 2006–07; they finished their first season back in ProD2 in fourteenth place (out of sixteen), surviving the drop by one point over Limoges. They ended the 2007–08 season in eighth, close to the play-offs. In 2010–11 Grenoble finished second, losing the play-off semi-final game at home against Union Bordeaux Bègles. In 2011–12 Grenoble finished first, securing their return to the Top 14 for the 2012–13 season. In their first season back in the top flight, they were in contention for a playoff place early in the season, but faded to 11th, still safely above the relegation zone. After the 2016–17 season, Grenoble have been relegated to the Pro D2 and in the 2017–18 season, ProD2 runners-up Grenoble have been promoted to the Top14, after a 47–22 victory over Oyonnax. The promotion/relegation play-off win sees Grenoble head back to the French top flight, having dropped down this time last season.

Honours[edit]

Among the club's honours are the championship of the Top 14 and of the Challenge Yves du Manoir. Its achievements include:[12][13][14]

  • Top 14
  • French second division:
  • Challenge Yves du Manoir:
    • Champions (1) : 1987
    • Runners-up (3) : 1969, 1986, 1990
  • Challenge Jean Bouin:
    • Runners-up (2) : 1992, 1994
  • Access Match:
  • French Championship Reserves:
    • Champions (5) : 1950, 1952, 1953, 1960, 1980 (Nationale B)
    • Runners-up (2) : 1969, 1972
  • Cup Frantz-Reichel:
    • Champions (4) : 1981, 1992, 2013, 2014
    • Runners-up (3) : 1989, 1990, 1993
  • Cup René Crabos:
    • Champions (2) : 1995, 2018
    • Runners-up (2) : 1990, 1996
  • Challenge complete club:
    • Champions (1) : 1993
  • European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA:
    • Runners-up (1) : 1963
  • Legion Rugby Challenge:
    • Champions (1) : 2014

Finals results[edit]

French premiership[edit]

Date Winner Runner-up Score Venue Spectators
28 April 1918 Racing Club de France FC Grenoble 22-9 Stade du Matin, Colombes 3,000
23 May 1954 FC Grenoble US Cognac 5-3 Stadium Municipal, Toulouse 34,230
5 June 1993 Castres Olympique FC Grenoble 14-11 Parc des Princes, Paris 49,061

Challenge Yves du Manoir[edit]

Date Winner Runner-up Score Venue Spectators
24 May 1969 US Dax FC Grenoble 24 – 12 Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes 2,902
1 May 1986 AS Montferrand FC Grenoble 22-15 Stadium, Brive-la-Gaillarde 10,400
10 May 1987 FC Grenoble SU Agen 26–7 Parc des Sports Et de l'Amitié, Narbonne 3,200
19 May 1990 RC Narbonne FC Grenoble 24–19 Stade du Hameau, Pau 5,500

Current standings[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD B Pts
1 Oyonnax (C, P) 30 23 1 6 904 457 +447 17 111 Semi-final promotion playoff place
2 Grenoble 30 19 3 8 672 588 +84 8 87[a]
3 Mont-de-Marsan 30 19 0 11 764 649 +115 10 86 Quarter-final promotion playoff place
4 Nevers 30 17 3 10 718 551 +167 11 85
5 Vannes 30 17 1 12 718 633 +85 11 81
6 Agen 30 15 1 14 653 583 +70 15 77
7 Colomiers 30 15 0 15 674 678 −4 10 70
8 Provence 30 13 4 13 652 638 +14 9 69
9 Béziers 30 13 1 16 700 716 −16 11 65
10 Aurillac 30 15 0 15 586 706 −120 5 65
11 Biarritz 30 12 2 16 690 699 −9 8 60
12 Rouen 30 12 2 16 594 767 −173 6 58
13 Montauban 30 12 1 17 678 784 −106 6 54[a]
14 Soyaux Angoulême 30 11 0 19 569 697 −128 8 52
15 Carcassonne (R) 30 10 1 19 553 677 −124 10 52 Relegation to Nationale
16 Massy (R) 30 7 0 23 499 801 −302 5 33
Source: Pro D2
Rules for classification: When two teams have the same points total, position is determined by head-to-head results before points difference.
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Grenoble were penalised three competition points, and Montauban were penalised two, for financial and administrative issues that made the clubs "non-compliant with the regulatory provisions and decisions of the CCCP".[15][16]

Current squad[edit]

For player movements before or during the 2022–23 season, see List of 2021–22 Rugby Pro D2 transfers § Grenoble.

The squad for the 2022–23 season is:[17]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Enzo Camilleri Hooker France France
Jean-Charles Orioli Hooker France France
Lilian Rossi Hooker France France
Mathis Sarragallet Hooker France France
Irakli Aptsiauri Prop Georgia (country) Georgia
Eli Eglaine Prop France France
Zack Gauthier Prop France France
Luka Goginava Prop Georgia (country) Georgia
Regis Montagne Prop France France
Sam Nixon Prop England England
Toma'akino Taufa Prop Tonga Tonga
Vincent Vial Prop Switzerland Switzerland
Zurabi Zhvania Prop Georgia (country) Georgia
Levi Douglas Lock England England
Thomas Lainault Lock France France
José Madeira Lock Portugal Portugal
Adrien Vigne Lock France France
Clement Ancely Back row France France
Antonin Berruyer Back row France France
Steeve Blanc-Mappez Back row France France
Marko Gazzotti Back row France France
Tala Gray Back row Australia Australia
Victor Guillaumond Back row France France
Tanginoa Halaifonua Back row Tonga Tonga
Thibaut Martel Back row France France
Pio Muarua Back row Fiji Fiji
Marnus Schoeman Back row South Africa South Africa
Player Position Union
Kelian Boissier Scrum-half France France
Eric Escande Scrum-half France France
Felipe Ezcurra Scrum-half Argentina Argentina
Florian Zupan Scrum-half France France
Max Clement Fly-half France France
Thomas Fortunel Fly-half France France
Corentin Glenat Fly-half France France
Hugo Trouilloud Fly-half France France
Romain Barthelemy Centre France France
Bautista Ezcurra Centre Argentina Argentina
Romain Fusier Centre France France
Terrence Hepetema Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Atu Manu Centre Tonga Tonga
Romain Trouilloud Centre France France
Erwan Dridi Wing France France
Lucas Dupont Wing France France
Wilfried Hulleu Wing France France
Karim Qadiri Wing France France
Julien Farnoux Fullback France France
Tom Sposito Fullback France France
  • Notes:

Espoirs squad[edit]

Prospective players who have not yet appeared professionally this season.[18]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Barnabe Massa Hooker France France
Enzo CamilleriI Hooker France France
Léo Boullier Hooker France France
Giorgi Mamaiashvili Prop Georgia (country) Georgia
Sascha Mistrulli Prop France France
Théo Lavoine Prop France France
Guga Ganiashvili Lock Georgia (country) Georgia
Martin Blanquart Centre France France
Jules Escoffier Centre France France
Loris Prin Centre France France
Kiros Tournadre Wing France France

Staff[edit]

Position Name Nationality
Head Coach Aubin Hueber  FRA
Senior Coach Nicolas Nadau  FRA
Forwards Coach Patrick Pézery  FRA
Defence Coach Tom Palmer  FRA

Notable former players[edit]

French international that the club has provided[edit]

Tee[edit]

Cyril Savy is the first player to use a tee in France in 1993.[19] In the semi-finals at the last minute of the game when the FCG faces SU Agen, Savy succeeds a penalty a goal of 60m and gets an overtime. His club came out victorious before being deprived of a title of champion of France on a refereeing error in a controversial final against Castres Olympique.[20]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Olivier Merle : "J'ai créé mon couteau, le Merluche"". sport24.lefigaro.fr. February 24, 2017. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "Pro D2. Auch. La chasse aux mammouths est ouverte". www.ladepeche.fr. October 18, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Castres et " la magie du rugby "". www.republicain-lorrain.fr. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Combien de fois Bayonne s'est imposé dans la capitale ?". www.rugbyrama.fr. Midi olympique. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  5. ^ "MICHEL RINGEVAL (PART 2): " AU BOUT D'UN QUART D'HEURE, J'AI COMPRIS QU'ON NE GAGNERAIT PAS"". lesportdauphinois.com. November 19, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "Finale Castres-Grenoble 93 : l'insupportable aveu de l'arbitre Salles". rugbyolympic.com. 12 December 2006. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Daniel Salles à propos de Castres-Grenoble en 1993 : " Je me suis trompé "". sudouest. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Parc des Princes, Paris, 5 Juin 1993". LNR. 28 December 2004. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  9. ^ Salviac, Pierre (9 September 2015). Merci pour ces moments: 50 ans de grands reportages. ISBN 9791093463247. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  10. ^ "Top 14: Toulon-Castres, souviens-toi, il y a vingt ans..." www.lepoint.fr. June 1, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "Grenoble drop out". rugbyrugby.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
  12. ^ "Football Club de Grenoble Rugby". histoire.maillots.free.fr. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  13. ^ "Fiche club : Grenoble". www.finalesrugby.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Equipes du FC Grenoble Rugby honorées d'un titre". www.fcgrugby.com. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Le FCG sanctionné de trois points de retrait au classement par la Ligue !". Le Dauphiné libéré (in French). 21 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023. Un retrait de cinq points dont deux points avec sursis au classement du championnat professionnel de Pro D2 de la saison en cours [...] Cette sanction a été prononcée au motif du « non-respect des dispositions réglementaires et décisions de la CCCP ».
  16. ^ "Pro D2 : l'US Montauban sanctionnée de cinq points de retrait pour la prochaine saison !" [Pro D2: US Montauban sanctioned with five withdrawal points for the next season!]. La Dépêche (in French). 20 May 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  17. ^ "FCG - FC Grenoble - Players". FC Grenoble. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Joueurs espoirs qui ne sont pas encore apparus en pro cette saison". FC Grenoble. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Le Rugby pour les Nuls, édition spéciale Coupe du monde 2015". Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  20. ^ "Gerry Thornley: Grenoble's Jackman fast becoming one of top Irish coaches". irishtimes. April 12, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2019.

External links[edit]

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