Ex-Wales star's 14-point haul helps Nissa Rugby take second bite at ProD2 cherry

Just one year after a branding revamp, Nissa Rugby, formerly Nice Rugby, is heading to the Pro D2 following a 31-26 win over Stade Montois in the promotion/relegation barrage playoff.

Stade Montois, which finished second to last in this year’s Pro D2, travelled to Stade Marcel Volot in hopes of avoiding relegation to Nationale for the first time since 1998.

Unfortunately for the Mont-de-Marsan side, Nissa Rugby claimed the spot after a very tense 80-minute affair, even if the visiting side got in the lead five minutes into the game, following a try by former French U20 international Alexandre de Nardi.

Nissa regained control of the scoreboard with two tries, scored by Zimbabwean prop Farai Mudariki and Romanian centre Atila Septar, with former Welsh international Owen Williams landing one conversion.

The visitors still managed to mount a short-lived comeback, but through Owen Williams’ excellent kicking, Nissa went to the break with a 21-19 lead.

The Welshman added another penalty from distance before Stade Montois found their way through the Côte d’Azur side’s defence, with Lelos No.8 Ioane Iashagashvili bumping off a few tacklers before diving into the try area.

With a ProD2 promotion at stake, Nissa went all in and after several attempts they finally found their luck with another Welshman leading them towards glory. Former Dragons and Scarlets centre Tyler Morgan edged past a handful of incoming tacklers to crack open the defence, pulling Nissa back into the lead for a final time.

With time running out, the Stade Montois side were desperate to find a way back into the game. However, inconsistent ball management and ill discipline ended up being too much to overcome, gifting Nissa a consolation prize after failing to win the Nationale a week ago.

After buying Nissa in 2024 and becoming the board’s chairman, Jean-Baptiste Aldigé has accomplished his first success with the southern French club, earning their way back to ProD2 one year after dropping to Nationale. The former Biarritz president has enjoyed a positive year, as the Nice city council has approved plans to build a new stadium by 2029.

For Stade Montois fans, relegation to the French third division will almost be like the beginning of a new era for the club, as a number of its main stars will be leaving this summer.