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I rossoblù cercano di interrompere la striscia di 30 sconfitte europee consecutive andando a fare visita al Grenoble in una sfida tra due squadre ancora senza punti nella pool 1 di Challenge Cup. - 04/12/2014 13:34
Rovigo coach Filippo Frati is desperate for his side to show their true colours at their Stadio Mario Battaglini home against Grenoble in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The Italians suffered a 68-10 defeat on their French travels last week, as they shipped ten tries to the Top 14 team.
It was a record victory for Grenoble, but Frati is determined to turn things around and claim their first win in this season’s Challenge Cup on Saturday.
He said: “We knew it would be a tough game last week but we did everything to make it even more complicated, too much indiscipline and too many possessions lost to Grenoble with ease have made life too easy for them. We now expect a week to prepare the return game and show that we are much better view of the team tonight.”
The only way is up for Rovigo, who have conceded 171 points and scored 42 in their three European outings so far.
Grenoble got off the mark in Pool One with the bonus-point victory after suffering defeats away to Cardiff Blues and at home to London Irish.
The French side are flying high in fifth position in the Top 14, having won seven of their 12 matches so far. They will be hoping to carry that form into the Challenge Cup and get amongst Cardiff Blues and London Irish, who stole a march at the top of the pool.
Match facts:
- Femi-CZ Rugby Rovigo have won just three Challenge Cup games in their history, however their most recent win in the competition was at home to French opposition (2008).
- Grenoble’s three trips to Italy in the Challenge Cup have yielded two wins and one draw; their two wins were by an average margin of 36 points.
- Greoble have not managed an away win in their last four attempts which included three losses and one draw.
- If Grenoble manage even half as many tries as they scored last week against Femi-CZ Rugby Rovigo they will break the 100-try mark in the competition (they are currently on 96 tries).
Initialement mal engagé
Laurent Bouchet scored two tries for Grenoble as they snatched a dramatic 20-17 win in the European Rugby Challenge Cup at Femi-CZ Rugby Rovigo.
The hooker crashed over in both halves to set up a thrilling comeback for the French team. Victory ensures Grenoble stay in contention of qualification from Pool 1 but leaves the Italians adrift at the bottom of the group and out of contention for another year.
Although Davide Farolini missed a penalty in the 3rd minute for Rovigo, he quickly got going to give Rovigo a 6-0 lead after 2 penalties in the opening 22 minutes.
Laurent Bouchet then crossed for his first try of the afternoon just four minutes later, but the conversion was missed by Fabien Gengenbacher leaving Grenoble trailing 6-5. Two more Davide Farolini penalties put Rovigo back in command and they went in to half-time with a 12-5 lead.
Two tries in the opening 7 minutes of the second half put Grenoble 12-15 but Fabien Gengenbacher missed both conversion attempts. Emiliano Caffini then responded for the hosts to make it 17-15 but it was Davide Farolini’s turn to miss his conversion.
With the scores close, Chris Farrell snatched a try for the away and they held out to win 17-20 and claim the bonus point, putting further pressure on London Irish in second place.
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