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France demonstrated yet again why it has the world’s greatest rugby set-up. Montauban won promotion from the Pro D2 to the Top 14. The unlikely promotion was secured by the south-west side defeating favorites Grenoble in the access match.
Two Argentine props played in the Pro D2 Final for Montauban. The uncapped Facundo Pomponio was the starting tight head prop. He played 45 minutes before being replaced by countryman Lucio Sordoni. Ironically, Sordoni is capped and has played seven test matches for Los Pumas. He started against the All Blacks at Eden Park in the 2024 Rugby Championship.
In addition to the two props, two other Argentines play for Montauban. They are fullback Segundo Tuculet and flanker Tomás Lezana. Segundo Tuculet is uncapped while Lezana earned 40 caps for Argentina. Lezana featured for Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2019. He received game time in all four pool matches and started at the back of the scrum against Tonga in Osaka.
Montauban earned promotion to the Top 14 the long way. The team finished the regular season in 6th place to claim the last barrage spot. Montauban defeated Colomier 26-23 to book a Semi Final against Brive. What followed was a monumental upset win as Montauban carved Brive wide-open in winning 29-13.
In the Pro D2 Final, Sordoni anchored the scrum in the key final play in which Montauban held firm to boot the ball into the stands. It saw Montauban earning promotion to the Top 14; a return after last playing in France’s elite level competition 15 years ago.
The final took place in Toulouse which is of note for the winning team; indeed, the return of Montauban to the Top 14 will see derbies against nearby Toulouse and Castres.
Grenoble finished the regular season in first spot. The club can still earn promotion to the Top 14. To do so requires Grenoble to defeat Perpignan on Saturday, June 14. The Access Match will be a home game with Grenoble at the Stade des Alpes.
