Rugby – Pro D2: Targeting four in a row and being wary of a cornered opponent: what you need to know before Dax

The stakes of the match: extending the virtuous series

Before the three-week break, FC Grenoble had won three games in a row; the last two in dramatic fashion, against Nevers (27-26) and Soyaux/Angoulême (24-20). This unprecedented series this season has allowed the Isérois to almost definitively leave the second half of the table behind and look ahead. But their current 9th place is not satisfactory. If they want to get closer to the top 6, which is ten points away, they need to win again against Dax. This would be the third away victory (after Oyonnax and Nevers) and the fourth in a row. Quite a challenge! Only Brive (8-23) and Vannes (15-16) have won this season at the Maurice-Boyau stadium.

The opponent: a deceiving relegation

If the championship ended now, US Dax would play the Pro D2 Access Match (against the unfortunate finalist of Nationale) to avoid relegation. This outcome is not certain as the Landais are only five points away from 11th place, and the bottom of the table is tightly packed. And, most importantly, it is seen as an injustice (in terms of sportsmanship) because the Dax club was deducted fourteen points (decisions of the Ruby Regulatory Authority and the FFR Appeals Committee) due to administrative shortcomings.

However, USD is not resigned, far from it, and still holds their fate in their hands. “I think we responded well this season,” said their manager Vincent Etcheto this week. “It’s true that the last match against Oyonnax (16-52) was disappointing. But we also knew it was a long, painful journey, and that we had this upcoming important block in mind. We are putting everything into this, and the first match will be crucial. It’s happening against Grenoble.”

The man to watch: Josée Madeira

The last time Josée Madeira played with FCG, it was a memorable moment (victory against Nevers, beyond the final whistle). The last time Josée Madeira played rugby, it was with the Portuguese national team in Madrid for a historic victory over Georgia (19-17) in the Rugby Europe Championship (Tour B) final. The Portuguese captain, after a well-deserved week off, is back in Red and Blue, forming a strong second row alongside Cameron Holt. His defensive capabilities and lineout expertise will be valuable at the Maurice-Boyau stadium to counter the Landaise fervor.

Additional information: adapted travels

Departing by train on Thursday morning to reach the thermal town of the Landes, the Grenoble delegation will return to Isère by air on Saturday. Their 25th round match has been rescheduled to Thursday evening (April 2nd, against VRDR). Recovery will be crucial.

The statement

“The players are aware that we are not going to the 15th place. I wouldn’t need to remind them: they have experienced this situation when they were twelve points behind, and they tightened up. They know that a team that tightens up like that is capable of achieving great things. Dax will face a strong team because Grenoble is a strong team, and they will be ready.” – Jeff Dubois, head coach of FC Grenoble and former manager of US Dax.

The Dax – Grenoble match can be followed live on www.ledauphine.com/sport on Friday starting at 7:00 PM.