“It’s enormous what we’re experiencing”: how Grenoble overcame all the blows it received

What heart in this team of Grenoble ! When training resumed, relegation to the National loomed over the heads of the FCG. Eleven months later, he found himself qualified for the Pro D2 final after a new feat. Hat !

Grenoble in the Pro D2 final

Leader of the regular phase, Provence Rugby went into this semi-final as favorite, especially since it had never lost at home this season. This was without counting on the self-sacrifice and solidarity of this totally crazy and over-motivated group of Isérois.

” It’s incredible. What we are experiencing is enormous. I don’t have the words”, reacted, very happy, to Canal +, Captain Steeve Blanc-Mappaz. “All these obstacles gave us the courage to move forward. We’ve had a lot of tough times this season. But we never gave up,” continued scrum-half Barnabé Couilloud.

Hard blows

These hard blows are obviously a delicate financial situation for the FCG, and a relegation to the National which was looming in July 2023. Worse, the word liquidation had also been uttered. A preparation far from ideal.

There were also all these decisions, which led to a total point deduction of 8 points. And, internally, the choice to make manager Aubin Hueber gain height, who accepted. None of this defeated the people of Isère. “Emotionally, this season has been terrible,” Hueber admitted before the semi-final toRugby News.

8 wins in a row

A time relegated, then in the second part of the table, Grenoble never lost sight of the possibility of qualifying for the final phase in this ultra-homogeneous Pro D2.

And at the end of the winter, the FCG, driven by quality offensive play, was able to trigger the necessary dynamic. With exploits in Vannes and Nevers, Grenoble has had 8 victories in a row, giving it the top of the table. Mentally, it was very strong. “A rebellion had been started, and it demonstrated that the group was right,” admitted Aubin Hueber.

Return to Toulouse

One year later, Grenoble will return to Toulouse to play a second Pro D2 final. “We dreamed of returning to Toulouse, but with everything that had happened, it was hard. There, we did it. It is happiness. It’s a lot of pride. Today, we must be proud of what we have done,” said Blanc-Mappaz.

“What happens will happen. The season is already very good,” said Hueber before the semi-final. “There, we want a final with another outcome,” corrected Blanc-Mappaz. If the FCG succeeds, it would be, let’s admit it, a hell of a beautiful story!

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