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Grenoble et Bayonne se livreront vendredi soir (19h30) sur la pelouse de Lesdiguières un dernier affrontement sans enjeu
Prior to the end of Round 5, this all-French affair looked as though it may have a huge amount riding on it.
A Bayonne win over Wasps on home soil last Saturday would have left the Basque outfit looking for a repeat this weekend to secure top spot in Pool 4. But Wasps spoilt their potential party by winning 26-13 at the Stade Jean-Dauger to end Bayonne’s hopes of quarter-final qualification a week early.
Bayonne are already guaranteed to finish second and Grenoble will end up third regardless of the result of this clash or Saturday’s tie between Wasps and Viadana in High Wycombe.
Grenoble have won just once in this season’s tournament, with that victory coming against a Viadana side who are without a win since December 2008. They were hammered by Wasps in their last home game in the pool, with the 2003 competition winners scoring seven tries in a 47-7 success that all but ended Grenoble’s own aspirations.
Bayonne have won three times so far, with their back-to-back wins over Viadana preceded by a 37-6, bonus point triumph in the reverse fixture of this contest in early October. The hosts were comfortable victors that day as they dominated throughout and had the result effectively sewn up by half time as they raced into a 23-6 lead. Grenoble refused to buckle, though, and the bonus point score only arrived in the final minute.
Bayonne may have had the edge in Europe in Round 1 but it is Grenoble who have been in better domestic form this term. They sit sixth in the Top 14 with nine wins and 41 points from 16 games, some seven places and 11 points above relegation-threatened Bayonne.
Grenoble are yet to lose at home in the league this season, with a draw against Brive their worst result at the Stade Lesdiguières, apart from their capitulation against Wasps in December. Stade Francais, Toulon, Bordeaux-Begles, Toulouse, Oyonnax, and Castres Olympique have all been seen off in style by the newly-promoted team, although Bayonne will take heart from the fact they edged their domestic encounter 24-12 at Jaen-Dauger in late November.
Grenoble entered the latest instalment of European action on a major high after a stunning 22-21 win at Heineken Cup holders Toulon on January 4 but they were held to a 19-19 draw by Viadana in Italy at the weekend.
Lourdement défait à l'aller
Grenoble earned the points in the all-French affair to gain revenge for their earlier defeat in Pool 4 in Bayonne. The result didn’t have any bearing on qualification for the quarter-finals and did effect any change in the positions in the Pool either.
A James Hart penalty gave Grenoble a third minute lead and then Hendrik Roodt crossed for the first try of the night to give the home side a dream start. But Bayonne then hit back and a Stephen Brett penalty was followed by a try from Jean Monribot which Bret converted to grab the lead for the visitors.
The Bayonne revival continued with another Brett penalty just before the break that sent his side into the dressing rooms with a 13-8 interval lead. There may have been only pride on the line in a game in which the outcome could not change the Pool order, but both teams went full out.
The second half became a different story, however, with Grenoble getting on top up front and turning the scoreboard on its head. Two quickfire tries at the start of the second half from Fabien Alexandre and Ratu Ratini, one of which Hart converted, gave Grenoble the lead and from there they built an even more impressive score.
Brett kicked a third penalty to cut the gap temporarily, but a fourth try for the home side from Matthieu Nicolas extended the home advantage and then Vincent Campo grabbed a fifth. Hart converted one of them, and Julien Carminati the other, and victory was complete for the home side.
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