# FC Grenoble Rugby

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.
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 :
1. René Martin 2. Innocent Bionda 3. René Duhau
4. Paul Rein 5. Duilio Parolai
6. Sergio Lanfranchi 8. Eugène Smogor 7. Henri Coquet
9. Jean Liénard 10. Roger Baqué
11. Michel Pliassoff 12. Guy Belletante (c) 13. Georges Echevet 14. André Morel
15. Pierre Claret

### 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 :
1. Bernard Vacchino 2. Éric Ferruit 3. Jean-Marc Romand
4. Willy Pepelnjak (c) 5. Hervé Chaffardon
6. Gilbert Brunat 8. Stéphane Géraci 7. Christophe Monteil
9. Dominique Mazille 10. Pierre Mathias
11. Philippe Meunier and Thierry Picard 12. Alain Gély 13. Patrick Mesny 14. Richard Zago
15. Gilles Claret

### 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. Despite overpowering pack Grenoble tilts on the score of 14–11. A try of Olivier Brouzet is denied to Grenoble 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. Salles admitted the error 13 years later . . Fouroux conflict with the Federation and who was already suspicious before the match of the referee cry out conspiracy.
Players Championship controversial Final in 1993 :
1. Philippe Tapié 2. Éric Ferruit 3. Franck Capdeville
4. Olivier Merle 5. Olivier Brouzet
6. Grzegorz Kacała 8. Džoni Mandić 7. Hervé Chaffardon (c)
9. Dominique Mazille and Franck Hueber 10. Patrick Goirand
11. Philippe Meunier 12. Frédéric Vélo 13. Willy Taofifénua 14. Brice Bardou
15. Cyril Savy
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

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. 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

* French championship Top 14
** Champions (1): 1954
** Runners-up (1): 1993
* Coupe de l'Espérance
** Runners-up (1): 1918
* Pro D2
** Champions (2): 1951, 2012
** Runners-up (4): 2002, 2018, 2023, 2024
* Challenge Yves du Manoir
** Champions (1): 1987
** Runners-up (3): 1969, 1986, 1990
* Access Match:
** Champions (1): 2018
** Runners-up (3): 2019, 2023, 2024
* European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA
** Runners-up (1): 1963

## Finals results
### French championship

| 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 |

### Coupe de l'Espérance

| Date | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Venue | Spectators |
| 28 april 1918 | Racing Club de France | 22-9 | FC Grenoble | Stade du Matin, Colombes | 3000 |

### Challenge Yves du Manoir

| 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

2024–25 Pro D2 Table :
| Pos | Teamvte | 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 | Semi-final promotion playoff place |
| 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 | Quarter-final promotion playoff place |
| 5 | Biarritz | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 249 | 234 | +15 | 2 | 1 | 27 | Quarter-final promotion playoff place |
| 6 | Béziers | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 252 | 191 | +61 | 2 | 5 | 27 | Quarter-final promotion playoff place |
| 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 |

## Current squad

The squad for the 2023–24 season is:
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 |
| Mathis Sarragallet | Hooker | France |
| Irakli Aptsiauri | Prop | Georgia |
| Éli Eglaine | Prop | France |
| Zack Gauthier | Prop | France |
| Luka Goginava | Prop | Georgia |
| Siua Halanukonuka | Prop | Tonga |
| Régis Montagne | Prop | France |
| Vincent Vial | Prop | France |
| Giorgi Javakhia | Lock | Georgia |
| Thomas Lainault | Lock | France |
| José Madeira | Lock | Portugal |
| Brandon Nansen | Lock | Samoa |
| Pierce Phillips | Lock | England |
| Antonin Berruyer | Back row | France |
| Steeve Blanc-Mappez | Back row | France |
| Tala Gray | Back row | Australia |
| Thibaut Martel | Back row | France |
| Pio Muarua | Back row | Fiji |
| Player | Position | Union |
| Barnabé Couilloud | Scrum-half | France |
| Eric Escande | Scrum-half | France |
| Felipe Ezcurra | Scrum-half | Argentina |
| Romain Barthélémy | Fly-half | France |
| Sam Davies | Fly-half | Wales |
| Bautista Ezcurra | Centre | Argentina |
| Romain Fusier | Centre | France |
| Terrence Hepetema | Centre | New Zealand |
| Romain Trouilloud | Centre | France |
| Geoffrey Cros | Centre | France |
| Erwan Dridi | Wing | France |
| Nathan Farissier | Wing | France |
| Atu Manu | Wing | Tonga |
| Karim Qadiri | Wing | France |
| Julien Farnoux | Fullback | France |
* Notes:

### Espoirs squad

Prospective players who have not yet appeared professionally this season.
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 |
| Barnabé Massa | Hooker | France |
| Theo Lavoine | Prop | France |
| Giorgi Mamaiashvili | Prop | Georgia |
| Sascha Mistrulli | Prop | France |
| Hilan Delbois | Lock | France |
| Davit Lagvilava | Lock | Georgia |
| Quentin Dubois | Back row | France |
| Victor Guillaumond | Back row | France |
| Diego Pinheiro Ruiz | Back row | France |
| Michka Reviriego | Back row | France |
| Player | Position | Union |
| Kelian Boissier | Scrum-half | France |
| Max Clement | Fly-half | France |
| Hugo Trouilloud | Fly-half | France |
| Martin Blanquart | Centre | France |
| Jules Escoffier | Centre | France |
| Loris Prin | Centre | France |
| Wilfried Hulleu | 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
* Sergio Lanfranchi
* Robbie Deans
* Grzegorz Kacała
* Ovidiu Tonița
* Sam Cordingley
* Alipate Ratini
* Ange Capuozzo
* Deon Fourie

### 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 Marko Gazzotti |
* Joseph Desclaux
* Olivier Brouzet
* Sylvain Marconnet
* Fabrice Landreau
* Vincent Clerc
* Brian Liebenberg
* Paul Willemse
* Kilian Geraci
* Louis Bielle-Biarrey

## Tee

Cyril Savy is the first player to use a tee in France in 1993. 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.