With power!

The FCG was offered by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby a copious menu for the Boxing Days, with Montpellier as the starter, the Stade Français as the main course and the French champion Castres for the dessert. Enough to give a good indigestion to the "Rouge & Bleu", who dropped to 13th place after Agen's victory in Castres at the beginning of December.

As an appetizer, the Grenoblois had good news from Agen, who was beaten early this afternoon on his pitch by the Stade Français (6-19). This will allow the Isèrois, in the event of victory, to get out of the relegation table. 

After a duel of scorers (6-6, 16'), Montpellier took advantage of Grenoble's lack of discipline to finish in the 22nd and score his first try by Jacques Du Plessis (6-13, 21'). The Grenoble residents, dominators but lacking in realism, regained their territorial domination (well helped by a dominating melee) and finally reduced the score after a pass at the foot of Matthieu Ugalde for Raymond Rhule, who acrobatically caught the ball and ran aground in the end (11-13, 33')

The start of the second half was more tight, but the game was concentrated in the Montpellier half. Grenoble finally took the lead on the hour mark (14-13, 59'), before conceding a penalty almost immediately (14-16, 63'). Mickaël Capelli came back a few minutes earlier stole a line-out in the opposing camp, then the FCG obtained a penalty, transformed by Gaëtan Germain (17-16, 67')

The last 10 minutes are unbreathable. While Montpellier held the ball, the Grenoble defence was heroic and kept the Héraultais from getting close to the 22 Isère players. Grenoble finally recovers the ball with one minute to go, keeps it warm, before getting a penalty on the siren! Gaëtan Germain sends the ball out of the field: Victory for the "Rouge & Bleu"!

At the end of this 12th day, the FCG overtakes Agen and returns to Pau, beaten at home by La Rochelle.