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FC Grenoble Rugby

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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
2023–244th
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 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

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

Runners-up French Championship 1918

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Finals results

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French championship

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Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Spectators
23 May 1954 FC Grenoble 5-3 US Cognac Stadium Municipal, Toulouse 34,230
5 June 1993 Castres Olympique 14-11 FC Grenoble Parc des Princes, Paris 49,061

Challenge Yves du Manoir

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

Current standings

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2024–25 Pro D2 Table
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Provence 10 6 1 3 245 192 +53 3 2 31 Semi-final promotion playoff place
2 Grenoble 10 7 0 3 263 229 +34 2 1 31
3 Montauban 10 7 0 3 274 251 +23 1 2 31 Quarter-final promotion playoff place
4 Brive 10 6 0 4 265 217 +48 3 2 29
5 Biarritz 10 6 0 4 249 234 +15 2 1 27
6 Béziers 10 5 0 5 252 191 +61 2 5 27
7 Soyaux Angoulême 10 5 2 3 225 215 +10 1 1 26
8 Colomiers 10 5 1 4 212 235 −23 0 2 24
9 Agen 10 4 0 6 230 232 −2 0 5 21
10 Mont-de-Marsan 10 4 0 6 264 247 +17 2 3 21
11 Dax 10 5 0 5 192 219 −27 0 1 21
12 Nevers 10 4 0 6 194 243 −49 1 2 19
13 Oyonnax 10 4 0 6 201 217 −16 1 1 18
14 Aurillac 10 4 0 6 231 282 −51 0 1 17
15 Nice 10 3 0 7 193 267 −74 0 4 16 Relegation play-off
16 Valence Romans 10 3 0 7 255 274 −19 0 3 15 Relegation to Nationale
Updated to match(es) played on 8 November 2024. Source: [1]

Current squad

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For player movements before or during the 2023–24 season, see List of 2023–24 Rugby Pro D2 transfers § Grenoble.

The squad for the 2023–24 season is:[12][13]

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

Player Position Union
Lilian Rossi Hooker France France
Mathis Sarragallet Hooker France France
Irakli Aptsiauri Prop Georgia (country) Georgia
Éli Eglaine Prop France France
Zack Gauthier Prop France France
Luka Goginava Prop Georgia (country) Georgia
Siua Halanukonuka Prop Tonga Tonga
Régis Montagne Prop France France
Vincent Vial Prop France France
Giorgi Javakhia Lock Georgia (country) Georgia
Thomas Lainault Lock France France
José Madeira Lock Portugal Portugal
Brandon Nansen Lock Samoa Samoa
Pierce Phillips Lock England England
Antonin Berruyer Back row France France
Steeve Blanc-Mappez Back row France France
Tala Gray Back row Australia Australia
Thibaut Martel Back row France France
Pio Muarua Back row Fiji Fiji
Player Position Union
Barnabé Couilloud Scrum-half France France
Eric Escande Scrum-half France France
Felipe Ezcurra Scrum-half Argentina Argentina
Romain Barthélémy Fly-half France France
Sam Davies Fly-half Wales Wales
Bautista Ezcurra Centre Argentina Argentina
Romain Fusier Centre France France
Terrence Hepetema Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Romain Trouilloud Centre France France
Geoffrey Cros Centre France France
Erwan Dridi Wing France France
Nathan Farissier Wing France France
Atu Manu Wing Tonga Tonga
Karim Qadiri Wing France France
Julien Farnoux Fullback France France
  • Notes:

Espoirs squad

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Prospective players who have not yet appeared professionally this season.[14]

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

Player Position Union
Léo Boullier Hooker France France
Barnabé Massa Hooker France France
Theo Lavoine Prop France France
Giorgi Mamaiashvili Prop Georgia (country) Georgia
Sascha Mistrulli Prop France France
Hilan Delbois Lock France France
Davit Lagvilava Lock Georgia (country) Georgia
Quentin Dubois Back row France France
Victor Guillaumond Back row France France
Diego Pinheiro Ruiz Back row France France
Michka Reviriego Back row France France
Player Position Union
Kelian Boissier Scrum-half France France
Max Clement Fly-half France France
Hugo Trouilloud Fly-half France France
Martin Blanquart Centre France France
Jules Escoffier Centre France France
Loris Prin Centre France France
Wilfried Hulleu Wing France France

Staff

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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

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French international that the club has provided

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Tee

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Cyril Savy is the first player to use a tee in France in 1993.[15] 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.[16]

See also

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References

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  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. Hachette Book. 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. ^ "FCG - FC Grenoble - Players". FC Grenoble. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Grenoble squad for season 2023/2024". all.rugby. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  14. ^ "Joueurs espoirs qui ne sont pas encore apparus en pro cette saison". FC Grenoble. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  15. ^ Duboisset, François; Viard, Frédéric (5 February 2015). Le Rugby pour les Nuls, édition spéciale Coupe du monde 2015. ISBN 978-2-7540-7383-7. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  16. ^ "Gerry Thornley: Grenoble's Jackman fast becoming one of top Irish coaches". irishtimes. April 12, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
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