After its frustrating end to the 2023-2024 season (defeats to Vannes 10-17 and Montpellier 18-20), which left it at the gates of the Top 14, FC Grenoble switched to its offseason. And the Isère club chose this Tuesday, June 26 to unveil its first reinforcements for the 2024-2025 season. Names which had already been revealed in the press, notably by Le Dauphiné Libéré.
Among all the names revealed this Tuesday by the FCG, we find seven external recruits: three right pillars, the South African Cody Thomas (ex-Rouen, contract until 2026), the Georgian Giorgi Pertaia (ex-Chambéry, 2027) and the South African Johannes Jonker (ex-Bath, 2026); Biarritz hooker Bastien Soury (2026) and Namibian 3rd row Richard Hardwick (ex- Ealing Trailfinders, 2026) within the pack.
Extensions and internal promotions
Next season, these reinforcements will join a squad where 3rd wing line Victor Guillaumond (+1 year) and fullback Julien Farnoux (+2 years) have been extended.
The FCG also continues to focus on in-house training, with four young people from its training center who have signed “Pro Hopes” contracts: hooker Léo Boullier (2026), right pillar Théo Lavoine (2025), 3rd row Mathis Baret (2026) and winger/back Melvyn Rates (2026).
Two new physical trainers
At the Lesdiguières stadium, the Grenoble squad will still be supervised by Nicolas Nadau, who came to the end of his contract this summer and was extended for one season. The three-quarter coach will thus be aligned with the other members of the technical staff (Aubin Hueber and Patrick Pezery), under contract until 2025.
Within the staff, Lionel Ringeval – until now co-coach of the Espoirs Reichel, with Lionel Enselmoz – becomes skills coach (individual technique), contact attitudes and defense assistant (of Tom Palmer), with a contract up to ‘in 2026.
Finally, the replacement for Pierre Sagot – who is leaving this summer for LOU (Top 14) – as responsible for performance will be Romain Guérin (ex-Stade Niçois, until 2026), as announced by Dauphiné Libéré on February 12.
The latest reinforcement within the staff concerns the arrival of Viktor Maquaire, appointed specific skills, skill and strength coach (until 2026).
In total, there are 17 people who are signing up, or re-engaging, under the red and blue banner with a view to a 2024-2025 season which will be the sixth in a row in Pro D2.
