Still marked by a failed last season, the Grenoble rugby players return to competition this Friday with the desire to prove that they still have a say in Pro D2.
At least this year, no one will bother them with possible favorite status. Despite a substantial budget (12 million euros) the suit is not for them, because Grenoble is coming out of a season spent hanging out at the bottom of the rankings and trembling for a maintenance finally acquired.
“Farea of humilityLucas Dupont
So after almost two months of preparation, and despite two victories in two pre-season games (including one against Béziers, their opponent on the first day) the FCG does not boast. “It allows you to approach the first match in a serene way but you have to show humility in each match, last season reminded us cruelly“says Lucas Dupont, one of the executives of the workforce. The winger and his teammates still have in mind the 12th place of last season, the criticisms, the doubts, the moments they no longer want to relive. “It’s something that marked us” says Lucas Dupont again “you have to use it, know where you come from but at the same time there are new players, we went on vacation, everyone is attacking a new season with zero points so let’s go and with enthusiasm !”
Goal final phase
Grenoble residents don’t forget where they come from, but they also know where they want to go. The package of forwards has been reinforced by the arrival of the Englishman Sam Nixon and apart from the departures of Ange Capuozzo and Adrien Seguret the group has changed little, the game system completely reviewed a year ago is already integrated. Head coach Fabien Gengenbacher and his men are therefore aiming for a qualification for the final phase, and for that they will also have to become strong at home. Beaten seven times at the Stade des Alpes last season, the FCG will not be able to achieve its objectives if it does not mark its territory, and that starts this Friday with the arrival of Béziers “a team that beat us twice last year” recalls Fabien Gengenbacher. But that was last season, and Grenoble doesn’t want to hear about it anymore.