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 name	Football Club de Grenoble Rugby
Nickname(s)	The foreign Legion (1954) The Mammoths (1991-1994) The Pacific Connection (1999)
Founded	1892;132 years ago (1892)
Location	Grenoble, France
Ground(s)	Stade des Alpes (Capacity: 20,068)
President	Patrick Goffi
Coach(es)	Aubin Hueber
League(s)	Pro D2
2022–23	2nd (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

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

Runners-up French Championship 1918

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

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 :

Roger Baqué Guy Belletante Innocent Bionda Pierre Claret Henri Coquet René Duhau Georges Echevet Sergio Lanfranchi

Jean Liénard René Martin André Morel Duilio Parolai Michel Pliassoff Paul Rein Eugène Smogor

Runners-up European Championship 1963

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

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

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

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 :

Frédéric Boutin Martin Brooke Gilbert Brunat Hervé Chaffardon Gilles Claret Éric Ferruit Alain Gely Stéphane Geraci

Jean-Jacques Grand Brent Jordaan Pierre Mathias Dominique Mazille Joris Menzildjian Patrick Mesny Philippe Meunier Christophe Monteil

Willy Pepelnjak Robert Petuello Thierry Picard Jean-Marc Romand Bernard Vacchino Frédéric Vélo Richard Zago

Runners-up of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1990

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

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 :

Brice Bardou Arnaud Bazin Olivier Brouzet Gilbert Brunat Xavier Cambres Franck Capdeville Hervé Chaffardon Éric Ferruit

Patrick Goirand Franck Hueber Grzegorz Kacała Džoni Mandic Dominique Mazille Olivier Merle Philippe Meunier Cyril Savy

Martial Servantes Willy Taofifénua Philippe Tapié Patrice Vacchino Frédéric Vélo

Since then the club has struggled.

First participation in the Heineken Cup 2000

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
Northampton	6	5	0	1	19	7	12	184	87	97	10
FC Grenoble	6	3	0	3	13	15	−2	110	140	−30	6
Edinburgh Reivers	6	3	0	3	13	19	−6	112	158	−46	6
Neath	6	1	0	5	13	17	−4	128	149	−21	2

Results

Date	Stadium	Team	Score	Team
19 November	Netherdale, Galashiels	Edinburgh	23 - 18	FC Grenoble
27 November	Lesdiguières, Grenoble	FC Grenoble	20 - 18	Northampton Saints
11 December	The Gnoll, Neath	Neath RFC	43 - 14	FC Grenoble
18 December	Lesdiguières, Grenoble	FC Grenoble	21 - 10	Neath RFC
9 January	Franklin's Gardens, Northampton	Northampton Saints	27 - 16	FC Grenoble
15 January	Lesdiguières, Grenoble	FC Grenoble	21 - 19	Edinburgh

Descent and come back in the elite

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

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
  • Champions (1) : 1954
  • Runners-up (2) : 1918 (Coupe de l'Espérance), 1993
• French second division:
  • Champions (2) : 1951, 2012
  • Runners-up (3) : 2002, 2018, 2023
• Challenge Yves du Manoir:
  • Champions (1) : 1987
  • Runners-up (3) : 1969, 1986, 1990
• Challenge Jean Bouin:
  • Runners-up (2) : 1992, 1994
• Access Match:
  • Champions (1) : 2018
  • Runners-up (2) : 2019, 2023
• 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

French premiership

Date	Winner	Runners-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

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

Pos	Team v t e	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 [lower-alpha 1]
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 [lower-alpha 1]
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. 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

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 Jean-Charles Orioli Hooker France Lilian Rossi Hooker France Mathis Sarragallet Hooker France Irakli Aptsiauri Prop Georgia Eli Eglaine Prop France Zack Gauthier Prop France Luka Goginava Prop Georgia Regis Montagne Prop France Sam Nixon Prop England Toma'akino Taufa Prop Tonga Vincent Vial Prop Switzerland Zurabi Zhvania Prop Georgia Levi Douglas Lock England Thomas Lainault Lock France José Madeira Lock Portugal Adrien Vigne Lock France Clement Ancely Back row France Antonin Berruyer Back row France Steeve Blanc-Mappez Back row France Marko Gazzotti Back row France Tala Gray Back row Australia Victor Guillaumond Back row France Tanginoa Halaifonua Back row Tonga Thibaut Martel Back row France Pio Muarua Back row Fiji Marnus Schoeman Back row South Africa

Player Position Union Kelian Boissier Scrum-half France Eric Escande Scrum-half France Felipe Ezcurra Scrum-half Argentina Florian Zupan Scrum-half France Max Clement Fly-half France Thomas Fortunel Fly-half France Corentin Glenat Fly-half France Hugo Trouilloud Fly-half France Romain Barthelemy Centre France Bautista Ezcurra Centre Argentina Romain Fusier Centre France Terrence Hepetema Centre New Zealand Atu Manu Centre Tonga Romain Trouilloud Centre France Erwan Dridi Wing France Lucas Dupont Wing France Wilfried Hulleu Wing France Karim Qadiri Wing France Julien Farnoux Fullback France Tom Sposito Fullback France

• Notes:

Espoirs squad

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 Enzo CamilleriI Hooker France Léo Boullier Hooker France Giorgi Mamaiashvili Prop Georgia Sascha Mistrulli Prop France Théo Lavoine Prop France Guga Ganiashvili Lock Georgia Martin Blanquart Centre France Jules Escoffier Centre France Loris Prin Centre France Kiros Tournadre Wing France

Staff

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

• Diego Albanese
• Ezequiel Jurado
• José Orengo
• Federico Todeschini
• Joaquín Tuculet
• Bautista Ezcurra
• Felipe Ezcurra
• Sam Cordingley
• Peter Kimlin
• Dan Palmer
• Junior Rasolea
• John Welborn
• Kenan Mutapcic
• Jamie Cudmore
• Shane O'Leary
• Stephen Setephano
• Olly Barkley
• Aly Muldowney
• James Percival
• Jone Daunivucu
• Aloisio Butonidualevu
• Alipate Ratini
• Sisa Waqa
• Viliame Waqaseduadua
• Ropate Rinakama
• Benito Masilevu
• Timoci Nagusa
• David Aucagne
• Fabien Barcella
• Gilbert Brunat
• Didier Camberabero
• William Demotte
• Thierry Devergie
• Lucas Dupont
• Fabrice Estebanez
• Julien Frier
• Gaëtan Germain
• Arnaud Héguy
• Nicolas Laharrague
• Legi Matiu
• Ludovic Mercier
• Geoffroy Messina
• Willy Taofifénua
• Benjamin Thiéry
• Jonathan Wisniewski
• Mahamadou Diaby
• Etienne Fourcade
• Gervais Cordin
• Ali Oz
• Nathanaël Hulleu
• Adrien Séguret
• Jean-Charles Orioli
• Marko Gazzotti
• Levan Ghvaberidze
• Paliko Jimsheladze
• Vasil Katsadze
• Beka Gigashvili
• Davit Kubriashvili
• Luka Goginava
• Zurab Zhvania
• Irakli Aptsiauri
• Daniel Browne
• Andrew Farley
• James Hart
• Chris Farrell
• Sergio Lanfranchi
• Franco Piccinini
• Ange Capuozzo
• Aaron Bancroft
• John Blaikie
• Robbie Deans
• Nigel Hunt
• Tone Kopelani
• Mark Mayerhofler
• Blair Stewart
• Jackson Willison
• Grzegorz Kacala
• José Madeira
• Petru Bălan
• Florin Corodeanu
• Romeo Gontineac
• Petre Mitu
• Gheorghe Solomie
• Ovidiu Tonița
• Gio Aplon
• Rudi Coetzee
• Wylie Human
• Theo Jansen van Rensburg
• Charl McLeod
• Hendrik Roodt
• Shaun Sowerby
• Deon Fourie
• Raymond Rhule
• Peter Steven
• Tony Stanger
• David Mélé
• Inoke Afeaki
• William Helu
• Suka Hufanga
• Leva Fifita
• Tanginoa Halaifonua
• Toma'akino Taufa
• Atu Manu
• Stuart Evans
• Sam Davies

French international that the club has provided

Félix Lasserre Edmond Besset Edmond Vellat Édouard Coulon Joseph Desclaux Pierre Milliand Henri Masse André Morel Jean de Grégorio Gérard Bouguyon Michel Greffe Christian Boujet

Claude Chenevay Alain Guilbert Patrick Mesny Alain Lorieux Stéphane Weller Olivier Merle Olivier Brouzet Laurent Leflamand David Dantiacq Sylvain Marconnet Lionel Mallier Fabrice Landreau

Vincent Clerc Brian Liebenberg Julien Puricelli Raphaël Lakafia Jonathan Pélissié Xavier Mignot Paul Willemse Kilian Geraci Thomas Jolmès Louis Bielle-Biarrey

Tee

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

• List of rugby union clubs in France
• Rugby union in France

References

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

• (in French) FC Grenoble Official website