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1. August 26, 2016: Oyo, where it all started
Did there exist more spicy fire baptism? Promoted in Pro D2 in the spring of 2016 after two beautiful seasons in Federal 1, the SA XV discovered the echelon greater than Oyonnax, no more and no less than one of the two relegated of Top 14 and one of the great favorites for the ascent.
An ultra-fast leap for the Charentais, who pass from country lawns from Valencia d’Agen or Lavaur to the synthetic of Charles-Mathon that the Saracens or Ulster in Champions Cup had walked a few months earlier. Moreover, when they arrived, many of them immortalize the moment, as if to prove that all this is very real.
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Despite a complicated start, Julien Laïrle’s SA XV looks good before cracking in the last quarter of an hour (36-10). “This meeting is a reassuring plûtot anyway, the players were able to adapt,” rents the manager. Two weeks later, they hit a first big blow, winning in Biarritz (20-21).
May 5, 2019: Powering of power
After six years spent in the XV, the end of the adventure is nearby for Julien Laïrle on May 5, 2019, when AUNNAX arrives in Chanzy on behalf of the 30e And last day of the regular season, which remains for the time being the best of SA XV in Pro D2 (9e68 pts). The manager, who is about to join Christophe Urios at the UBB, will be replaced by Adrien Buononato, then at the head … of Oyonnax.
-Still relegated to Top 14, the Aindinois again target an immediate return and arrive in Charente in second position. They imposed themselves after a spectacular meeting (22-33), marked with his talent by the Oyonnaxian opening half, a certain Ben Botica, author of 18 points.
May 5, 2023: “The most beautiful defeat in history”
When the SA XV arrives in Oyonnax on May 5, 2023 to compete in the last day of the championship, it has only one mission: to win a defensive bonus point to validate its maintenance. Easy to say, much more complicated to do, especially facing a leading team of Pro D2 for seven months, winner of 13 of its 14 home matches until then, including 11 with the offensive bonus.
Led 21-7 after half an hour, the SA XV becomes virtually relegation. He picked up after the break (21-21) before being sent again as a national by an Oyonnaxian test (33-24, 72e). You have to wait for the 78e Minute and a departure from Nicolas Martins on a heroic sequence to ensure the maintenance (33-31) and “the most beautiful defeat in the history of the club”, dixit Guillaume Laforgue.
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On the return from the bus to Angoulême on Saturday morning, the players go directly to celebrate this for three days in the Arcachon basin. “I think it is the greatest feat in the history of the club, more than the rise or the ascent,” analyzed President Didier Pitcho a few days later. “For me, it was an unimaginable thing. As to see his XV playing his place in the final phase this Friday, against Oyonnax.
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