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Grenoble are back in the mix after finding their rhythm in the European Rugby Challenge Cup. - 16/12/2015 13:48
Grenoble are back in the mix after finding their rhythm in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Now they aim to keep the pressure on Pool 5 leaders London Irish with victory at Stade des Alps against Agen.
The men from the Alps clinched their second win from three games against their French rivals.
They largely had their Tongan international prop Sona Taumalolo to thank at Stade Armandie when he became only the second Grenoble player to claim a treble in the Challenge Cup.
Wing Xavier Mignot also claimed two tries in the bonus-point win that has Grenoble just two points behind pool leaders London Irish.
The Challenge Cup has provided a real boost for Fabrice Landreau’s team amid narrow losses to their nearest Top 14 rivals Stade Francais and La Rochelle.
However they had to survive a second half revival by Agen before running out 40-20 winners. Two tries from hooker Marc Barthomeuf and a score by Marius Deguilhem could not break Agen’s run of three defeats in the pool.
It was back in January 2013 that Agen last tasted success in the Challenge Cup, when they beat Calvisano 19-9, having suffered relegation from the Top 14. It was against the same opposition earlier in that campaign that they registered their last away win in Europe.
Match Facts
- These sides faced each other for the first time in the last round with Grenoble taking the spoils in a 40-20 victory.
- A win for Grenoble would be their third in succession in the Challenge Cup, equalling their longest streak in the tournament.
- Meanwhile, a loss for Agen would be their fourth in a row, equalling their longest streak of losses in the Challenge Cup.
- Grenoble have won five of their last seven matches against fellow French teams in the Challenge Cup and are undefeated in their last three such fixtures at home.
A late try clinched a dramatic win against Agen at Stade des Alps and sent Grenoble top of Pool 5. - 18/12/2015 21:07
A late try clinched a dramatic win against Agen at Stade des Alps and sent Grenoble top of Pool 5.
Maritino Nemani squeezed over for the winner in the 79th minute of the highest scoring game in European competition this season.
The win meant Grenoble kept up the pressure on their Pool 5 rivals. And a third victory in a row also equalled their best run in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
However a fourth successive defeat represents Agen’s worst set of results in the Challenge Cup and an exit from this year’s tournament despite claiming two bonus points.
Both head coaches will be delighted with the finishing prowess of their players after 93 points were scored. But questions will be asked about their defending.
Grenoble also had to overcome conceding a try inside two minutes, for Agen flanker Leo Bastien, and yellow cards in either half to claim the win.
Centre Nigel Hunt equalised for Grenbole but the loss of captain Fabrice Estebanez opened the door for Agen.
Marc Barthomeuf and Filipo Nakosi crossed in the space of four minutes before Corentin Braendin followed for the bonus and a 24-10 lead at half-time.
The words of director of rugby Fabrice Landreau were ringing in Grenoble’s ears when they scored 24 unanswered points.
Prop Fabien Barcella, Nemani and Estebanez all went over as the hosts cameback to lead 34-24.
But hooker Laurent Bouchet was binned and Agen hot back with three tries in seven minutes through second tries for Braendin and Nakosi either side of Benoit Sicart.
With seven minutes to go at Stade des Alps, the visitors led 45-34. But a remarkable game produced another twist when full-back Clement Gelin touched down and Nemani grabbed the late winner, converted by Gilles Bosch.
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