FC Grenoble Rugby

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

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.

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 :

With Jean Liénard became coach, Grenoble played the final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA in 1963.

In 1969, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the US Dax on the score of 24–12.

In 1986, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the AS Montferrand on the score of 22–15.

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 :

In 1990, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the RC Narbonne on the score of 24–19.

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.

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

 

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.

• French championship Top 14
  • Champions (1): 1954
  • Runners-up (1): 1993
• 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 (2) : 2019, 2023
• European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA
  • Runners-up (1) : 1963

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 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:

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 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

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]

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

• (in French) FC Grenoble Official website

 

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