Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Led by Puma Francisco Gorrissen, Vannes successfully won promotion from the Pro D2 back to the Top 14. In what was a slobberknocker, Vannes were 18-14 winners in France’s second division final played in Toulouse on Saturday. The outcome means Vannes will trade places with Montauban who were relegated from the Top 14 due to finishing the regular season in final position.
The final was closely contested. Vannes built a lead and were able to hold on to it either Provence fighting back by lose by less than one unconverted try. It means that Vannes are back in the Top 14 one year after they were relegated.
The Pro D2 Final was historic before the game had started. Both finalists were captained by South American captains. In a never before professional rugby final, the team captains on opposing teams were from Argentina and Colombia. Francisco Gorrissen captained Vannes while Andrés Zafra led Colomiers.
The above scenario may be repeated on Sunday, June 14. It is the date of the Access Match. The Access Match is contested between the loser of the Pro D2 Final and the 13th places side from the Top 14 regular season. This means will be be between Colomiers and Perpignan. In addition to Colomiers being led by Andrés Zafra, Perpignan also have a South American skipper in Puma Jerónimo de la Fuente.
Colomiers will have home advantage in the Pro D2 Final. The rules used in France mean that the Pro D2 participant in the Access Match will host the promotion / relegation play-off.
Gorrissen and Zafra were not the only South Americans involved in the Pro D2 Final. Gorrissen was joined by fellow Puma, Santiago Medrano who started at tight head prop. Medrano played opposite uncapped Patagonia, Federico Wegrzyn.
