Grenoble

The club was founded in 1892 following the merger of the main clubs in Grenoble in Rhône-Alpes.

After becoming champions of the Alps in 1912, FCG reached the final of the Coupe de l'Espérance in 1918, which replaced the old championship of France during the First World War. Since then Grenoble have regularly featured in the finals. Grenoble contributed notable players to the original French National Team, among them Edmond Besset and Felix Lasserre and Edmond Vellat. In 1931, Grenoble was one of 14 clubs who left the French Rugby Federation to create their own organization, UFRA.

In 1954, the first team, then coached by Roger Bouvarel, wrote the most beautiful page in the history of the club. The team was nicknamed by the press the foreign Legion. FC Grenoble won his first Bouclier de Brennus and became champion of France after a 5–3 victory against the U.S. Cognac.

With Jean Liénard became coach, Grenoble played the final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup FIRA in 1963.

In 1969, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the US Dax on the score of 24–12.

In 1986, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the AS Montferrand on the score of 22–15.

In 1987, Grenoble won the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the SU Agen on the score of 26–7. This is the second major trophy for the club.

In 1990, Grenoble bows in the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir against the RC Narbonne on the score of 24–19.

The arrival of Jacques Fouroux in control of the team for the 1992-93 season associated with Michel Ringeval marks the beginning of a new era called the Mammoths of Grenoble. Despite overpowering pack Grenoble tilts on the score of 14–11. A try of Olivier Brouzet is denied to Grenoble and the decisive try by Gary Whetton was awarded by the referee, Daniel Salles, when in fact the defender Franck Hueber from Grenoble touched down the ball first in his try zone. This error gave the title to Castres. Salles admitted the error 13 years later . . Fouroux conflict with the Federation and who was already suspicious before the match of the referee cry out conspiracy.

Since then the club has struggled.

FC Grenoble play the 1999–2000 Heineken Cup in Pool 6. FCG is the only team to beat Nothampton the future winner of the event.

Results

They were relegated to the French second division and came back again. At the end of 2004–05, they were relegated to the French second division, Rugby Pro D2, after the top level was reduced from sixteen to fourteen teams. However, they were relegated even further, to the amateur Fédérale 1, due to financial problems; an audit of the club's books revealed debts of €3.64 million as of 30 June 2005. They earned promotion back to the professional ranks at the first opportunity, and played in Pro D2, in 2006–07; they finished their first season back in ProD2 in fourteenth place (out of sixteen), surviving the drop by one point over Limoges. They ended the 2007–08 season in eighth, close to the play-offs. In 2010–11 Grenoble finished second, losing the play-off semi-final game at home against Union Bordeaux Bègles. In 2011–12 Grenoble finished first, securing their return to the Top 14 for the 2012–13 season. In their first season back in the top flight, they were in contention for a playoff place early in the season, but faded to 11th, still safely above the relegation zone. After the 2016–17 season, Grenoble have been relegated to the Pro D2 and in the 2017–18 season, ProD2 runners-up Grenoble have been promoted to the Top14, after a 47–22 victory over Oyonnax. The promotion/relegation play-off win sees Grenoble head back to the French top flight, having dropped down this time last season.