Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Perpignan survive! The Catalans won the Top 14 / Pro D2 Access Match on Saturday. Perpignan overcame a half-time deficit to defeat Grenoble 33-19 away. The match lived up to its billing; those in attendance at the Stade des Alpes were a part of an annual match of survival.
The pressure cooker that is the French play-off’s, let alone the regular season, also saw Pau and Castres fighting on to avoid relegation. Perpignan opted to rotate for their final round match of the season. This enabled them to have a rested line-up for the Access Match.
Perpignan finished the Top 14 in 13th position. The club avoided automatic relegation but had to earn their spot in the 2023-2024 Top 14 by winning the Access Match. Grenoble reached the Promotion / Relegation final by defeating Mont de Marsan 36-27 in the Pro D2 final and then losing the final 14-3 to Oyonnax.
In winning the Pro D2 Final, Oyonnax earned automatic promotion to the Top 14. Oyonnax trade places with the relegated Brive. There are already changes in the rosters with Pumas Rodrigo Bruni and Lucas Paulos having signed for Bayonne. Nicolás Sánchez is expected to join the Miami Sharks in Major League Rugby (MLR).
Pumas flanker Joaquín Oviedo started the Access Match for Perpignan. He is one of three Pumas at Perpignan. Patricio Fernández missed the Final and farley played all season. he will continue his career at Mont de Marsan in the Pro D2 next season.
The third Puma is Jerónimo de la Fuente. The former Jaguares Super Rugby captain has also led Perpignan. He is a vital player to the Catalans. He is staying on at Perpignan while Oviedo has been linked to a move to Stade Français.
Meanwhile, Grenoble’s loss affects two Pumas. Los Hermanos, Felipe Ezcurra and Bautista Ezcurra both started the Access Match. The scrum-half and inside center have not played for Argentina under Michael Cheika but both were capped under precious head coach, Mario Ledesma.
