Béziers, which challenges Brive for a shock with the flavor of yesteryear, and Grenoble, which faces Dax, will try to join Provence Rugby and Vannes in the semi-finals of Pro D2, during the play-offs played on Thursday and Friday.
Eleven times champions of France, the last in 1984, the Biterrois (3rd in the regular season) dream of returning to the elite, abandoned almost twenty years ago. But to achieve this, it will be necessary to overcome the Brivist obstacle (6th). This shock at the Raoul-Barrière stadium will offer the winner a major challenge against Vannes in the half. The last opposition between the ASBH and the CAB, in February, turned to the advantage of the Héraultais (34-15).
The other dam pits Grenoble (4th) against Dax (5th). A team in good form at the end of the season, with eight wins in a row, the FCGR stood still against the Aix ogre on the last day. The Isérois could find their slayer in a week, provided they defeat the surprising promoted side. As a reminder, Dax won in Grenoble (27-24) at the beginning of January.
The winners of each play-off will therefore meet the two leaders of the regular season, Provence Rugby (1st) and Vannes (2nd), in the semi-final the following week. Before the grand final, June 8, in Toulouse.
Pro D2 play-off program:
Thursday (9 p.m.): Grenoble – Dax
Friday (9 p.m.): Béziers – Brive