With winter having taken hold in the conurbation, the weather should be mild for this first match of the year at the Stade des Alpes. No rain is expected, but cool temperatures should allow for good playing conditions.
After an excellent start to the season, Soyaux have experienced a more difficult end to 2019. At mid-season Soyaux Angoulême is in perfect balance with 7 wins for 7 defeats and 2 draws. If the Charentais are lost 3 times at home it is only against the big guns of the championship (Perpignan, Oyonnax and FCG). 8th in the championship, they are still in the running for a qualification in the final phase and will surely make this trip to Grenoble a test without pressure to launch their end of season. So watch out for this team which offers a complete game and a solid defense (4th of ProD2 in the number of tries conceded). There is no doubt that the ex-Grenoble players from the Charente squad (Mathieu Ugalde, Etienne Dussartre, Mat Vaiai and Giorgi Neparidze) will be keen to put in a good performance at the Stade des Alpes.
For the Grenoble side, last week's important victory in Aurillac should not hide the difficulties in the conquest that need to be corrected if they are to make it through the winter. With the exception of JC Van Rensburg, almost all of the squad has resumed training. Notably Eric Escande, Gaëtan Germain, Lilian Saseras who could make their return to the group. Answer on Friday, with the announcement of the team composition on fcgrugby.com.
Latest results
Only one victory in the last 2 months, on December 13 against Aix en Provence at home. But a great performance and a draw brought back from Carcassonne on 20 December before losing at home against Oyonnax last week.
Next matches
Soyaux will receive Montauban after the trip to Grenoble, then travel to Biarritz before receiving Valence Romans.
The last Angoulême - FCG
FCG won the final game of the 2017-2018 regular season (10-17) on April 15, 2018. Steven Setephano and David Mélé (double) scored all three tries for Grenoble, while Daniel Kilioni made an exceptional save in Grenoble's end zone.
Auteur : FCG Rugby