The Football Club de Grenoble Rugby (FCG) is a French

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...

club based in

Grenoble lat, Gratianopolis , commune status = Prefecture and commune , image = Panorama grenoble.png , image size = , caption = From upper left: Panorama of the city, Grenoble’s cable cars, place Saint- ...

and founded in 1892. FCG was champion of France in 1954 and runner-up in 1918 and in

1993 File:1993 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The Oslo I Accord is signed in an attempt to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict; The Russian White House is shelled during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis; Czechoslovakia is peacefu ...

during a controversial final, being deprived of the title of champion of France following a refereeing error. The club also won the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1987 and was finalist in 1969, 1986 and 1990. FC Grenoble played in the

Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, the Top 14 is at the top of the national league system operated by the French National Rugby League, also known by its French initialism o ...

, the top level of the French league system, for the 2019–2020 season, but were relegated to

Pro D2 Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second tier of rugby union club competition division in France. It is operated by Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) which also runs the division directly above, the first division Top 14. Rugby Pro D2 was in ...

at the season end. Grenoble have played home matches at the

Stade des Alpes The Stade des Alpes is a rugby and football stadium in Grenoble, France. The stadium seats 20,068 and hosts the home games of Grenoble Foot 38 and the FC Grenoble rugby club. Situated in Paul Mistral Park, it replaced their stadium Stade Lesdigu ...

(capacity 20,068) since 2014–2015. The club's colors are red and blue. The FCG is currently chaired by Nicolas Cuynat. The first team is supervised by several specialists: Fabien Gengenbacher as head coach, Nicolas Nadau senior coach, Arnaud Héguy forwards coach and Jean-Noël Perrin scrum coach.

History

The club was founded in 1892 following the merger of the main clubs in

Rhône-Alpes Rhône-Alpes () was an administrative region of France. Since 1 January 2016, it is part of the new region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It is located on the eastern border of the country, towards the south. The region was named after the river Rhône ...

Runners-up French Championship 1918

After becoming champions of the Alps in 1912, FCG reached the final of the

Coupe de l'Espérance The Coupe de l'Espérance was a rugby union competition that was played in France to replace the national championship during World War I, as many players were sent to the front. The teams used mostly young boys who had not been drafted yet. The cu ...

in 1918, which replaced the old championship of France during the First World War. Since then Grenoble have regularly featured in the finals. Grenoble contributed notable players to the original French National Team, among them Edmond Besset and Felix Lasserre and Edmond Vellat. In 1931, Grenoble was one of 14 clubs who left the French Rugby Federation to create their own organization, UFRA.

French Champion 1954

In 1954, the first team, then coached by Roger Bouvarel, wrote the most beautiful page in the history of the club. The team was nicknamed by the press the foreign Legion. FC Grenoble won his first Bouclier de Brennus and became champion of France after a 5–3 victory against the U.S. Cognac. Champions in 1954 :

Runners-up European Championship 1963

With Jean Liénard became coach, Grenoble played the final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA in 1963.

Runners-up of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1969

In 1969, Grenoble bows in the final of the

Challenge Yves du Manoir The Challenge Yves du Manoir was a rugby union club competition that was played in France between 1931 and 2003 under different names. It is named after former player Yves du Manoir. History The Challenge Yves du Manoir was officially created on ...

against the US Dax on the score of 24–12.

Runners-up of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1986

In 1986, Grenoble bows in the final of the

against the AS Montferrand on the score of 22–15.

Winner of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1987

In 1987, Grenoble won the

against the SU Agen on the score of 26–7. This is the second major trophy for the club. The winners of the

in 1987 :

Runners-up of the Challenge Yves du Manoir 1990

In 1990, Grenoble bows in the final of the

against the RC Narbonne on the score of 24–19.

A second French championship Title denied following a refereeing error 1993

The arrival of

Jacques Fouroux Jacques Fouroux (24 July 1947 – 17 December 2005) was a French rugby union player and coach. He captained France when they won the Grand Slam in 1977, and was the manager when the side repeated the feat in 1981 and 1987. Player Fouroux, who p ...

in control of the team for the 1992-93 season associated with Michel Ringeval marks the beginning of a new era called the Mammoths of Grenoble. Despite overpowering pack Grenoble tilts on the score of 14–11. A try of

Olivier Brouzet Olivier Brouzet (born 22 November 1972, in Béziers) is a French rugby union footballer. His usual position was at lock. He has played over 70 internationals for France, including being a part of numerous Rugby World Cup squads for France. He ...

is denied to Grenoble and the decisive try by

Gary Whetton Gary William Whetton (born 15 December 1959) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played 180 matches for Auckland, and 58 tests (15 as captain) at lock for the All Blacks from 1981 to 1991. He serves on the Auckland Blues board and was ...

was awarded by the referee, Daniel Salles, when in fact the defender Franck Hueber from Grenoble touched down the ball first in his try zone. This error gave the title to Castres. Salles admitted the error 13 years later . . Fouroux conflict with the Federation and who was already suspicious before the match of the referee cry out conspiracy. Players Championship controversial Final in 1993 : Since then the club has struggled.

First participation in the Heineken Cup 2000

FC Grenoble play the ''1999–2000 Heineken Cup in Pool 6''. FCG is the only team to beat Nothampton the future winner of the event. ;Results

Descent and come back in the elite

They were relegated to the French second division and came back again. At the end of 2004–05, they were relegated to the French second division, Rugby Pro D2, after the top level was reduced from sixteen to fourteen teams. However, they were relegated even further, to the amateur

Fédérale 1 Le championnat de France de première division fédérale, a.k.a. Fédérale 1, is a French rugby union club competition, the fifth highest level of amateur rugby. The competition has been organised by the Fédération Française de Rugby since 2 ...

, due to financial problems; an audit of the club's books revealed debts of €3.64 million as of 30 June 2005. They earned promotion back to the professional ranks at the first opportunity, and played in

, in 2006–07; they finished their first season back in ProD2 in fourteenth place (out of sixteen), surviving the drop by one point over Limoges. They ended the 2007–08 season in eighth, close to the play-offs. In 2010–11 Grenoble finished second, losing the play-off semi-final game at home against

Union Bordeaux Bègles Union Bordeaux Bègles (; oc, Union Bordèu Begla) is a French rugby union team playing in the Top 14, the first level of the country's professional league system. They earned their Top 14 place by winning the promotion playoffs that followed ...

. In 2011–12 Grenoble finished first, securing their return to the

for the 2012–13 season. In their first season back in the top flight, they were in contention for a playoff place early in the season, but faded to 11th, still safely above the relegation zone. After the 2016–17 season, Grenoble have been relegated to the Pro D2 and in the 2017–18 season, ProD2 runners-up Grenoble have been promoted to the Top14, after a 47–22 victory over

Oyonnax Oyonnax () is the second most populated commune in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. Oyonnax lies in a valley of the Jura Mountains in the far north of Ain. It is near the Parc naturel régional du Ha ...

. The promotion/relegation play-off win sees Grenoble head back to the French top flight, having dropped down this time last season.

Honours

Among the club's honours are the championship of the

and of the

. Its achievements include: *

** Champions (1) : 1954 ** Runners-up (2) : 1918,

* French second division: ** Champions (2) : 1951,

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gat ...

** Runners-up (2) : 2002,

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the Unit ...

: ** Champions (1) : 1987 ** Runners-up (3) : 1969, 1986, 1990 *Challenge Jean Bouin: ** Runners-up (2) : 1992, 1994 *Access Match: ** Champions (1) :

** Runners-up (1) :

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

* French Championship Reserves: ** Champions (5) : 1950, 1952, 1953, 1960, 1980 (Nationale B) ** Runners-up (2) : 1969, 1972 * Cup Frantz-Reichel: ** Champions (4) : 1981, 1992, 2013, 2014 ** Runners-up (3) : 1989, 1990, 1993 * Cup René Crabos: ** Champions (2) : 1995, 2018 ** Runners-up (2) : 1990, 1996 * Challenge complete club: ** Champions (1) : 1993 * European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA: ** Runners-up (1) : 1963 * Legion Rugby Challenge: ** Champions (1) : 2014

Finals results

French premiership

Challenge Yves du Manoir

Current standings

Current squad

The squad for the 2021–22 season is: *Notes:

Staff

Notable former players

* Diego Albanese * Ezequiel Jurado * José Orengo * Federico Todeschini *

Joaquín Tuculet Joaquín Tuculet (born 8 August 1989 in La Plata, Argentina) is an Argentine rugby union player who currently plays for the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby (MLR). He also played for the national Argentina team ''The Pumas'' and the country' ...

Bautista Ezcurra Bautista Ezcurra (born 21 April 1995) is an Argentine rugby union player. He currently plays for Rugby ATL of Major League Rugby (MLR). He was selected for 's sevens squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Ezcurra was named in the training squad ...

Felipe Ezcurra Felipe Ezcurra (born 15 April 1993) is an Argentine rugby union player. He plays as a scrum-half for French Pro D2 side FC Grenoble. Born in Buenos Aires Ezcurra played for Hindú Club in the Nacional de Clubes. He played for Pampas XV and fo ...

* Sam Cordingley * Peter Kimlin *

Dan Palmer Dan Palmer (born 13 September 1988) is a former Australian professional rugby union player. He played for the Waratahs and Brumbies in Super Rugby, before a short stint with French club Grenoble. He also earned one cap for Australia in 2012. ...

* Junior Rasolea * John Welborn * Kenan Mutapcic *

Jamie Cudmore Jamie Cudmore (born 6 September 1978) is a Canadian former professional rugby union player who played as a lock and as a flanker. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he began his career with Capilano RFC in British Columbia. He then played professionally ...

* Shane O'Leary * Stephen Setephano *

Olly Barkley Oliver John Barkley (born 28 November 1981) is a former English rugby union player who played for Bath, Gloucester, Racing Metro, Grenoble, Scarlets and London Welsh at fly-half between 2001 and 2016. Early career Barkley was born in Hammersmit ...

Aly Muldowney Alastair William "Aly" Muldowney (born 3 August 1983) is an English-born professional rugby union player. He is a versatile forward, being able to play in both the second row and as a flanker. Muldowney currently plays for Gallagher Premiersh ...

* James Percival * Jone Daunivucu * Aloisio Butonidualevu * Alipate Ratini *

Sisa Waqa Sisa Waqa (born 29 April 1986) is a Fijian professional rugby footballer who last played for FC Grenoble in French Rugby Union. A Fiji international representative, Waqa primarily plays on the . Waqa previously played for the Sydney Roosters i ...

Viliame Waqaseduadua Viliame Waqaseduadua (born 23 April 1983 in Suva, Fiji) is a New Zealand rugby union player, usually as a wing. He plays for the Grenoble. He is simply known as Vili or Waga. Started playing his schoolboy rugby for Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in ...

* Ropate Rinakama *

Benito Masilevu Benito Eremasilevu (born October 7, 1989) in Savusavu, Cakaudrove is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays wing for Fiji and French Top 14 side, Brive. Career Masilevu was born in Savusavu, he attended St Bedes Primary school. He later ...

Timoci Nagusa Timoci Nagusa (born 14 July 1987) is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing. He played his rugby for French club, Montpelier for 10 years before leaving for ProD2 club Grenoble in 2020. He is 1.88m (6'2) and weighs 88 kg. He w ...

David Aucagne David Aucagne (born 14 February 1973) is a retired France, French rugby union player. Aucagne, who played at Rugby union positions#10. Fly-half, fly-half, has been the coach of the France national under-20 rugby union team, French under-20 team sin ...

* Fabien Barcella * Gilbert Brunat *

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* William Demotte *

Thierry Devergie Thierry Devergie (born 27 July 1966 in Marseille) is a French former rugby union footballer. He played as a lock and as a flanker. He also had a brief stint as a professional rugby league footballer. Career Devergie played for RC Nîmes and fo ...

Lucas Dupont Lucas Dupont (born 19 March 1990 in Échirolles) is a French rugby union player. His position is Wing A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sect ...

* Fabrice Estebanez * Julien Frier * Gaëtan Germain * Arnaud Héguy * Nicolas Laharrague * Legi Matiu *

Ludovic Mercier Ludovic Mercier (born 1 November 1976) is a French rugby union player, currently playing for the Top12 team Petrarca Rugby. He is a fly half. He was one of the quickest players in history to reach 500 Premiership points; his goal-kicking and pla ...

* Geoffroy Messina * Willy Taofifénua *

Benjamin Thiéry Benjamin Thiéry (born 6 February 1984) is a French former rugby union player. He has played for the Section Paloise, US Colomiers, Biarritz, Montpellier, Grenoble and Bayonne clubs, and he was also included in France France (), ...

* Jonathan Wisniewski * Mahamadou Diaby * Etienne Fourcade * Gervais Cordin *

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* Nathanaël Hulleu * Adrien Séguret * Jean-Charles Orioli * Levan Ghvaberidze * Paliko Jimsheladze *

Vasil Katsadze Vasil Katsadze ( ka, ვასილ კაცაძე; born Potsdam, 16 July 1976) is a Georgian rugby union and rugby league player. He played as a wing and as a flanker in rugby union. Katsadze moved to France, where he played in AS Béziers ( ...

* Beka Gigashvili *

Davit Kubriashvili Davit Kubriashvili ( ka, დავით ქუბრიაშვილი; born 12 March 1986) is a former Georgian rugby union player. His position is prop. He played for Georgia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Domestic career After arriving in Fr ...

* Luka Goginava *

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Daniel Browne Daniel Browne (born 16 April 1979) is currently playing club rugby for London Welsh in the Aviva Championship. He previously played for Bath, Northampton Saints and Leeds Carnegie in the English Premiership. Browne is eligible to play for N ...

Andrew Farley Andrew Bruce Farley played professional rugby union, he represented the Queensland Reds, Otago Rugby Football Union, L'Aquila Rugby, Swansea RFC, Connacht Rugby and FC Grenoble where after retiring, became GM of Rugby Operations. He was born i ...

* James Hart * Chris Farrell * Sergio Lanfranchi * Franco Piccinini * Ange Capuozzo *

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* John Blaikie *

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* Tone Kopelani * Mark Mayerhofler * Blair Stewart * Jackson Willison *

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* Florin Corodeanu * Romeo Gontineac *

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* Gheorghe Solomie * Ovidiu Tonita * Gio Aplon * Rudi Coetzee * Wylie Human * Theo Jansen van Rensburg * Charl McLeod * Hendrik Roodt * Shaun Sowerby * Deon Fourie * Raymond Rhule * Peter Steven * Tony Stanger * David Mélé * Inoke Afeaki * William Helu * Suka Hufanga * Leva Fifita * Tanginoa Halaifonua * Toma'akino Taufa * Atu Manu * Stuart Evans

French international that the club has provided

Tee

Cyril Savy is the first player to use a Kicking tee, tee in France in

. In the semi-finals at the last minute of the game when the FCG faces SU Agen, Savy succeeds a penalty a goal of 60m and gets an overtime. His club came out victorious before being deprived of a title of champion of France on a refereeing error in a controversial final against Castres Olympique.

References

External links

*
FC Grenoble
Official website {{DEFAULTSORT:FC Grenoble FC Grenoble, French rugby union clubs, Grenoble Rugby clubs established in 1892 Sport in Grenoble