Advertisement
Just over a week has passed since the dramatic semi finals happened to set up this enthralling final!
Grenoble breezed passed Provence with ease in front a packed out home crowd! Where as, Montauban went to Brive and set about a masterclass in FA Cup style giant killings! Both teams have Fly Halves that will be crucial in how this game is controlled, and who knows we could see a repeat of the longest drop goal challenge in the flesh!
Available live on FR-UK on YouTube for free in the UK & Ireland, link embedded at the bottom of this article.
Grenoble will be looking to avoid the slow start they had last week. When I say slow start they made a few unforced errors in the first 5 minutes before they built the score that took the game away from Provence. However, they will have a relentless Montauban side chasing everything they do, if the Montauban performance this season is anything to go by. Grenoble have been forced into 3 changes for the final with Tommy Raynaud being forced off for a HIA in the Semi Final and is not included today with his replacement, Zack Gauthier coming in at loosehead. José Madeira was forced off very early in the semi final with an injury and hasn’t recovered for the final, Victor Guillaumond will take the 7 shirt. Then Richard Hardwick saw Red after losing his cool and trying to pile drive Jimmy Gopperth head first out of the way. Thibaut Martel comes in at 8, the rest of the starting line up remains unchanged and will be set to task trying to stretch the Montauban defence with their expansive rugby. Sam Davies will be at the heart of this attack and with Gerswin Mouton against Josh Vici today will be a great spectacle to watch.
It has been 24 years since Montauban last lifted the Pro D2 title! They were victorious against Toulon on that day, they went to enjoy a spell in the Top 14 and a spell in the Champions Cup. However, the bubble burst when the club overspent chasing the promised land and ended filing for bankruptcy in 2010. They have managed to rekindle the fire and find themselves on the doorstep of the top table again. The more I find out about the Green army, they remind me of my beloved football team (I know wrong shape ball), who have gone through the ringer in the same vein and timescale but grinding their way back up the leagues too.
Montauban go into this game unchanged having to be unscathed from their escapades at Brive last weekend. But after doing a number on Colomiers in the Barrage, then taking Brive down too, will this final be a step too far for the Green Army? They will need Bosviel to keep the board ticking over with that boot, and play the territory game to try pegging the Grenoble attack back. Montauban will be looking for close encounter and physical ball today, with that being their strength. But they can play when they need to, with that being seen on occassions last week.
Grenoble should have enough class to put this game out of reach for Montauban but I fear they may get sucked into an arm wrestle which will suit Montauban. It will be a great game to watch thats for sure, but I think Grenoble will come out on top today.