FC Grenoble

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

FC Grenoble Rugby
Full nameFootball Club de Grenoble Rugby
Nickname(s)the foreign Legion (1954)
Mammoths (1991-1994)
Pacific Connection (1999)
Founded1892 (1892)
LocationGrenoble, France
Ground(s)Stade des Alpes (Capacity: 20,068)
PresidentNicolas Cuynat
Coach(es)Stéphane Glas
League(s)Pro D2
2019–203rd
Team kit
2nd kit
Official website
fcgrugby.com

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 Nicolas Cuynat. The first team is supervised by several specialists: Stéphane Glas as head coach, Sylvain Bégon forwards coach, Cyril Villain defense coach, Jérôme Vernay skills coach and Jean Noël scrum 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 :

  • 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 650119712184879710
FC Grenoble 630313152110140306
Edinburgh Reivers 630313196112158466
Neath 610513174128149212
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
  • 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:
    • Champions (1) : 2018
  • 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

Finals results

French premiership

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

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

The current table for the 2020–21 Rugby Pro D2 is:[15]

2020–21 Rugby Pro D2 Table
Pos Club Pl W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1Perpignan151203404231+1735154
2Vannes151212348255+932153
3Biarritz14824302252+502341
4Oyonnax14914347285+622141
5Colomiers14815298237+611439
6Nevers15708382324+584436
7Provence14725307305+20032
8Béziers15618308305+31532
9Montauban14617259310–510127
10Aurillac15609257299–4202'26
11Grenoble14518261280–190426
12Carcassonne14518264318–540325
13Rouen15519255303–480123
14Mont-de-Marsan13418226283–571322
15Valence Romans14419269347–780321
16Soyaux Angoulême154011231384–1530218
Legend:
Pos = Position, Pl = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, PD = Points Difference, TB = Try Bonus Points, LB = Losing Bonus Points, Pts = Points Total
Green background (rows 1 and 2) receive semi-final Promotion play-off places.
Blue background (rows 3 to 6) receive quarter-final Promotion play-off places.
Red background relegation to Nationale.

Notes:
When two teams have the same points total, position is determined by head-to-head results before points difference.

Current squad

The squad for the 2018–19 season is:[16][lower-alpha 1] Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Duncan Casey Hooker Ireland
Etienne Fourcade Hooker France
Mike Tadjer Hooker Portugal
Halani Aulika Prop Tonga
Alexandre Dardet Prop France
Beka Gigashvili Prop Georgia
Dylan Jacquot Prop France
JC Janse van Rensburg Prop South Africa
Vazha Kapanadze Prop Georgia
Davit Kubriashvili Prop Georgia
Mihai Lazar Prop Romania
Ali Oz Prop France
Mickaël Capelli Lock France
Leva Fifita Lock Tonga
Kilian Geraci Lock France
Hans N'Kinsi Lock France
Francois Uys Lock South Africa
Fabien Alexandre Back row France
Clément Ancely Back row France
Loïc Baradel Back row France
Antonin Berruyer Back row France
Steeve Blanc-Mappaz Back row France
Loïc Godener Back row France
Stephen Setephano Back row Cook Islands
Taiasina Tuifu'a Back row Samoa
Edgar Tuinukuafe Back row New Zealand
Player Position Union
Théo Nanette Scrum-half France
Lilien Saseras Scrum-half France
Jérémy Valençot Scrum-half France
Burton Francis Fly-half South Africa
Clément Gélin Fly-half France
Adrien Latorre Fly-half France
Ben Lucas [lower-alpha 1] Fly-half Australia
Franck Pourteau Fly-half France
Etienne Dussartre Centre France
Junior Rasolea Centre Australia
Eddie Sawailau Centre Fiji
Alaska Taufa Centre Tonga
Taleta Tupuola Centre New Zealand
Pablo Uberti Centre France
Lucas Dupont Wing France
Jean-Teiva Jacquelin Wing Tahiti
Daniel Kilioni Wing Tonga
Raymond Rhule Wing South Africa
Gervais Cordin Fullback France
Gaëtan Germain Fullback France
Bastien Guillemin Fullback France
Lolagi Visinia Fullback New Zealand
  • Notes:
  1. New signing Ben Lucas is not yet listed on the official squad page.[17]

Staff

Position Name Nationality
Operations Director Franck Corrihons  FRA
Head Coach Stéphane Glas  FRA
Head Coach Sylvain Bégon  FRA
Defence Coach Cyril Villain  FRA
Scrum Coach Jean Noël Perrin  FRA
Skills Coach Jérôme Vernay  FRA

Notable former players

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

Tee

Cyril Savy is the first player to use a tee in France in 1993.[18] 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 a 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.[19]

See also

References

  1. "Olivier Merle : "J'ai créé mon couteau, le Merluche"". sport24.lefigaro.fr. February 24, 2017. 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. 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. "Merci pour ces moments: 50 ans de grands reportages". books.google.fr. 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. "Classement PRO D2". Ligue Nationale de Rugby (in French). Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  16. "FCG - FC Grenoble - Players". FC Grenoble. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  17. "Ben Lucas à Grenoble" (Press release) (in French). FC Grenoble Rugby. 20 June 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  18. "Le Rugby pour les Nuls, édition spéciale Coupe du monde 2015". books.google.fr. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  19. "Gerry Thornley: Grenoble's Jackman fast becoming one of top Irish coaches". irishtimes. April 12, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
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