Pro D2: Agen – Montauban, a derby is not just a story of boundaries

Is Agen – Montauban a real derby? Geographically, there is no doubt about it. 75 km separate Armandie from Sapiac. But a derby is not measured in kilometer markers. Rather in provoked emotion and passion. Difficult to quantify therefore, variable from one person and/or from one era to another.

The very first match between Agenais and Montalbanais took place on March 7, 1926. In 1965 and 1966, the SUA won the Brennus. In 1967, USM took over. However, in the memory of Agen supporters, the matches against Montauban did not have the flavor of those against Mont-de-Marsan, Dax or even Pau. And later Toulouse. It must also be said that in the 70s – 80s – 90s, the SUA was at the top of French rugby when the USM was navigating between groups A and B.

Crossed over for years

“Certainly we didn’t meet every year, but there was real regional enthusiasm during these matches. It was Lot-et-Garonne against Tarn-et-Garonne,” remembers Philippe Mothe, who played and trained in both clubs. It would be necessary to wait until the mid-2010s for the two groups to truly cross paths again. In the meantime, Agen has found its “sworn enemy”, Stade Toulousain. And its regional rival, Stade Montois. In Montauban, we consider that the real derby is rather the one against Colomiers.

This reunion with neighboring Montalban, in Pro D2 from 2014, will be marked by a series of five uninterrupted victories until the 2017 final, and its river score: 41-20. The beginnings of a rediscovered rivalry.

“Montauban is a derby for the supporters,” explains Michael Parker, president of Aginnum. “They come in large numbers to Armandie, many of us come to Sapiac. in the stands!”

Spicy last matches

The last matches have also heightened passions. Since the Chaban final, the Agen – Montauban have always been special. The Agenais Martinez knocked out in a scrum at Sapiac, the crushing victory of Sporting after the black series, the last two victorious trips of the USM to Armandie, the Agenese revenge last March at Sapiac…

We couldn’t have written a better start to a scenario about a (re)emerging rivalry between “blue and white” and “green and black”. Who knows, over the years, this derby will perhaps supplant the one against Toulouse in the hearts of the Agenais.