FC Grenoble Rugby
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Full name | Football Club de Grenoble Rugby | ||
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Nickname(s) | the foreign Legion (1954) Mammoths (1991-1994) Pacific Connection (1999) | ||
Founded | 1892 | ||
Location | Grenoble, France | ||
Ground(s) | Stade des Alpes (Capacity: 20,068) | ||
President | Nicolas Cuynat | ||
Coach(es) | Stéphane Glas | ||
League(s) | Pro D2 | ||
2019–20 | 3rd | ||
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Official website | |||
fcgrugby |
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 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 :
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 :
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 private 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 :
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 184 | 87 | 97 | 10 |
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6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 15 | −2 | 110 | 140 | −30 | 6 |
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6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 19 | −6 | 112 | 158 | −46 | 6 |
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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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Us_Oyonnax_vs._FC_Grenoble_Rugby%2C_29th_March_2014.jpg/305px-Us_Oyonnax_vs._FC_Grenoble_Rugby%2C_29th_March_2014.jpg)
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
Template:2020–21 Rugby Pro D2 Table
Current squad
The squad for the 2018–19 season is:[15][a] Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
- Notes:
Staff
Position | Name | Nationality |
---|---|---|
Operations Director | Franck Corrihons | ![]() |
Head Coach | Stéphane Glas | ![]() |
Head Coach | Sylvain Bégon | ![]() |
Defence Coach | Cyril Villain | ![]() |
Scrum Coach | Jean Noël Perrin | ![]() |
Skills Coach | Jérôme Vernay | ![]() |
Notable former players
![]() | This list of "famous" or "notable" people has no clear inclusion or exclusion criteria. Please help improve this article by defining clear inclusion criteria to contain only subjects that fit those criteria. (June 2012) |
French international that the club has provided
Tee
Cyril Savy is the first player to use a tee in France in 1993.[17] 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.[18]
See also
References
- ^ "Olivier Merle : "J'ai créé mon couteau, le Merluche"". sport24.lefigaro.fr. February 24, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "Pro D2. Auch. La chasse aux mammouths est ouverte". www.ladepeche.fr. October 18, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "Castres et " la magie du rugby "". www.republicain-lorrain.fr. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ "Combien de fois Bayonne s'est imposé dans la capitale ?". www.rugbyrama.fr. Midi olympique. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Daniel Salles à propos de Castres-Grenoble en 1993 : " Je me suis trompé "". sudouest. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ^ "Parc des Princes, Paris, 5 Juin 1993". LNR. 28 December 2004. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "Merci pour ces moments: 50 ans de grands reportages". books.google.fr. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "Top 14: Toulon-Castres, souviens-toi, il y a vingt ans..." www.lepoint.fr. June 1, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "Grenoble drop out". rugbyrugby.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
- ^ "Football Club de Grenoble Rugby". histoire.maillots.free.fr. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ "Fiche club : Grenoble". www.finalesrugby.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ "Equipes du FC Grenoble Rugby honorées d'un titre". www.fcgrugby.com. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ "FCG - FC Grenoble - Players". FC Grenoble. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Le Rugby pour les Nuls, édition spéciale Coupe du monde 2015". books.google.fr. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)