The challenges: leadership… and widening the gap
With its second very successful championship block (19 points taken out of 25 possible), the FCG joined the co-leaders of the championship for two days (Montauban and Biarritz, then Provence Rugby). A great pass that the Isérois could achieve even more, if they managed to obtain an eighth success in eleven days. They even have the prospect of settling alone at the top of the ranking, even if Montauban’s victory on Thursday in Agen in an advanced match (18-25) forces them to win with an offensive bonus. But isn’t the most important thing, ultimately, for Grenoble (31 points) to widen the gap a little further with Soyaux/Angoulême (7th, 26 pts), first non-qualified before this 11th day? Before entering winter rugby, it will not be negligible.
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The opponent: Soyaux/Angoulême, the underdog without pressure
It is not common to find the SAXV in the first part of the table, which is rather used to fighting for its maintenance. But at the dawn of this 2024-2025 season, the Charentais have made good resolutions; notably that of trying to compete every weekend. They do quite well, with at least one point taken eight times out of ten. And this, even if it depends on the team compositions. This will be the case again this week in Grenoble, with a new hinge and scrum half Bau at the opening.
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But if Alexandre Ruiz and his staff aligned all their main offensive assets (the former Grenoblois Farissier, the X factor Tilsley and the English star Jonny May) as well as a muscular bench in “6/2”, this is not is not without reason. Soyaux/Angoulême, best away team (15 pts) ahead of Grenoble (14 pts), comes to Isère without pressure, but with the idea of making a success.
The man to follow: Thomas Ployet
While the Grenoble staff have already used six 2nd row this season, and the club has just recruited a medical joker (the South African Ryno Pieterse), the competition for this strong position has never seemed so fierce. Also, the Rochelais (on loan) Thomas Ployet had the good idea to put on his best face last Friday in Ain. Touch-ins (and counters), defensive slaughter and offensive availability. At 24, the FCG double meter showed Charles-Mathon that he was better than a plan B. It’s up to him to repeat, this time at the Stade des Alpes, a performance of the same ilk, in order to help the pack red and blue to remain dominant.
5
This is the number of points taken by the FCG during its last outings at the Stade des Alpes: Valence/Romans (44-22) and Agen (37-10). And if he wins this Friday, it will be his fifth success in five home games this season.
The declaration
“The hardest part awaits us on Friday. We arrive at the end of the block, against a team that is very eye-catching away and who are playing very big matches. We had a complicated match last week, with fatigue. We must not relax our standards and continue as we did with our last performances. » By Mathis Sarragallet, hooker for FC Grenoble.
The Grenoble – Soyaux/Angoulême match will be followed live with commentary on www.ledauphine.com/sport
Belgium
