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George North's Top 14 dream shattered after masterclass from Wales team-mate
FC Grenoble produced one of their best performances of the season, brushing a star-studded Provence to reach a true Pro D2 final, with Sam Davies executing an artistic masterclass.
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Grenoble stepped into the Stade des Alpes with the right focus, piling pressure on Provence through their set-piece and kicking exit strategy, and scored their first points eight minutes into the match.
Davies struck a perfect conversion and would add a second one 10 minutes later.
George North and Teimana Harrison’s Provence were unable to find a way out of the tactical and physical trap set up by the home side, and eventually found themselves again under the poles thanks to Gerswin Mouton’s first try of the evening.
The visitors would get their first three points following a successful penalty attempt converted by Jimmy Gopperth, but it wasn’t enough to stop Grenoble, especially when Davies pulled off a 40-metre drop goal.
Before the half-time break, Grenoble scored their second try with Davies adding the extras. The locals had a 20-point lead with only 40 minutes left to play.
While it was expected for Provence to fight back and find a way to balance the score, it ended up being the opposite, as Grenoble managed to cross the whitewash for a third time. After a quick succession of phases, Davies punted a precise cross-kick for Mouton to gather and place the ball down in the corner.
At the 50th minute, Grenoble’s No.8 Richard Hardwick was red carded after dumping Gopperth on his head. The visitors claimed their first try immediately after, but Grenoble swiftly replied with scrum-half Barnabe Couillod evading tacklers to assist Romain Trouilloud.
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Just before the final whistle, the home team added another penalty conversion while Provence were able to grab a second consolation try, with the final score being38-17. Davies’ 18 points were key for the Alpine side’s success, having also assisted with two of the three tries scored by his team, in one of his best performances since joining the side.
Grenoble will play their third consecutive Pro D2 final, having lost to Oyonnax and Vannes in the previous seasons. Davies and Pierce Phillips will now wait for the conclusion of Courtney Lawes and Ross Moriarty’s CA Brive vs Montauban encounter to know who they will be playing in the championship final.
The 2024/2025 runners-up will still have a shot to earn promotion to the Top 14, but they
will need to win against the second-to-last team placed in the Top 14.
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If Wales need a flyhalf….
Not eligible unfortunately, as he only has 5 caps and is therefore well short of the 25 cap rule that affects certain players. It doesn’t seem to affect Jarrod Evans at Harlequins, but that’s another story!