Match Stakes: Double Potential Bonus
The 2025-2026 championship is nearing its end and, for FC Grenoble (9th, 54 points), it will not go beyond May 15. But for the Isère team, there are still two “small objectives” to achieve: first, officially confirm maintenance, which will be achieved in case of success this Friday against Mont-de-Marsan (13th, 45 pts), even in the event of victory from Béziers (15th, 44 pts); and then, aim for 8th place, to try to finish in the top half of the table. For this, it will also be necessary to watch the results of Soyaux/Angoulême (8th, 55 pts), away in Provence, but also Nevers (10th, 52 pts) and Aurillac (11th, 52 pts), also away (to Dax and Vannes).
The Opponent: Mont-de-Marsan with their Backs Against the Wall
In their season projection, Stade Montois had probably planned to come to Grenoble without pressure and with a revamped team for the last match of the 6th round of the championship. But the Landes team is fighting to avoid 15th place (relegation playoff) and their defeat in the derby against Dax (21-35) has changed everything. Now, they are required to win two out of the remaining three matches, including one away (to Grenoble or Colomiers, after the last break). That’s why Romain Mareuil and Clément Briscadieu have taken the best possible group with them. A group that will be led by Bautista Ezcurra, former Grenoble player and Montois captain.
Note that Stade Montois stopped in Montpellier on Thursday on their way to Isère for their traditional match-eve preparations.
Player to Watch: Josh Thompson
He was one of the revelations of the first half of the FC Grenoble season, joining in the 2025 off-season. With a mix of power and speed, he has caused problems for almost every defender he has faced. Injured at the beginning of January in Aix-en-Provence (15-45), Josh Thompson missed nine matchdays from January to April before returning to play two bits of matches (against Carcassonne, 22-25, and Oyonnax, 31-26). This time, the Fijian will start the game in the second row. His partnership “in the cage” with Cameron Holt will be crucial to help the alpine pack win the battle of the “bigs” against the Landais.
The Statement
“For maintenance, it’s not done yet. The competition is very tight and anything can happen in the last matches. We must not relax, especially since Stade Montois is feeling the pressure. […] And we are already working for the next season, these matches are opportunities to continue building. Every week, every match, we must try to improve and look to the future.” – Jérôme Villegas, co-coach of FC Grenoble.
The Grenoble – Mont-de-Marsan match can be followed live on www.ledauphine.com/sport starting from 7 pm on Friday.
Direct Confrontations: Exciting Duels Ahead
FC Grenoble and Stade Montois are two of the oldest residents of Pro D2 and have faced each other twenty-seven times since 2006. FCG leads in the duels (16 wins to 10, and one draw), with nine victories in the last nine visits of the Landais to the Vercors; especially last year in the form period (47-26, offensive bonus). In these nine matches, the Dauphinois have scored an average of 33.5 points. Promising!
