Grenoble FC vs Aurillac

Grenoble FC launched their 2026-27 Pro D2 campaign with an emphatic 57-33 victory over Aurillac at Stade des Alpes on Thursday evening, running in eight tries to secure a bonus-point win on the opening night.

How It Unfolded

Grenoble drew first blood through fly-half Marc Palmier's penalty in the 4th minute, but the first half quickly became a rout. Aurélien Callandret crossed in the 14th minute, Palmier converting, before Baptiste Abescat touched down a minute later. Raffaele Costa Storti added a third Grenoble try in the 15th minute, Palmier again converting, and Hugo Trouilloud made it four with a try in the 25th minute — Palmier's conversion making it 29-3.

Aurillac responded through fly-half Jake Strachan, who scored and converted his own try in the 28th minute. Number eight Benjamin Houston crashed over in the 34th minute, Strachan converting, to cut the deficit to 29-17. But Grenoble had the final word of the half: Mathis Baret powered over in the 38th minute, Palmier converting, to send the hosts into the tunnel leading 36-12.

The second half saw Aurillac fight back. Kléo Labarbe scored in the 44th minute and Benjamin O'Donnell in the 54th, both converted by Strachan, hauling Aurillac back to 36-26. Houston crossed for his second try in the 61st minute, Strachan again converting, to make it 36-33 — a 21-0 unanswered run that brought the visitors within three points.

Grenoble steadied. Otunuku Pauta, introduced from the bench in the 54th minute, touched down in the 65th minute, Palmier converting. Edward Sawailau added another before Hugo Trouilloud completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute. Corentin Peccaud sealed the scoring with a try in the 80th minute, Palmier converting both to bring his personal tally to 17 points (7/7 conversions, 1 penalty).

The Turning Point

Aurillac had scored 21 unanswered points across 17 minutes straddling half-time, turning a 36-12 deficit into a 36-33 nail-biter by the 61st minute. Grenoble's response was immediate and decisive: the triple substitution of Pauta, Max Clément and Lilian Rossi in the 54th minute injected fresh energy. Pauta's try in the 65th minute, within 11 minutes of entering the field, broke Aurillac's momentum and began Grenoble's 21-0 closing surge.

Key Performers

• Hugo Trouilloud (Grenoble) — The full-back scored a hat-trick (25', 78'), his movement from deep and finishing quality proving decisive. Player of the match.
• Marc Palmier (Grenoble) — Flawless off the tee: 7/7 conversions plus a first-half penalty, totalling 17 points. Controlled territory and tempo throughout.
• Benjamin Houston (Aurillac) — The number eight was Aurillac's standout, scoring a first-half try and a crucial second-half try (34', 61') that sparked the comeback.
• Otunuku Pauta (Grenoble) — The replacement back-rower scored the try that stemmed Aurillac's momentum and flipped the game back in Grenoble's favour.
• Jake Strachan (Aurillac) — Scored one try, converted four and kicked a penalty, contributing 17 points for the visitors.

By the Numbers — Interpreted

The 13 combined tries (eight for Grenoble, five for Aurillac) made for an entertaining opening night, but the half-time scoreline (36-12) told the true story of Grenoble's dominance. Aurillac's 21-0 run between the 38th and 61st minutes exposed Grenoble's fragility after the break, but the hosts' bench impact — Pauta, Clément and Rossi all contributed to the decisive 21-0 closing stretch — underlined their superior depth. Palmier and Strachan each finished with 17 points from the tee, a rare 100% kicking duel that kept the scoreboard ticking.

What It Means

Grenoble bank five points from the opening round and sit joint-top of the early Pro D2 table. The bonus-point statement sets a marker for a side targeting a top-six play-off berth. Aurillac leave empty-handed — No losing bonus point despite five tries — and will be concerned by the 36 points conceded in 38 first-half minutes. Grenoble travel to Montauban on 4 September; Aurillac host Biarritz Olympique on the same date.

Verdict

Grenoble's first-half firepower and late-game composure proved the difference against an Aurillac side that showed real character but lacked the squad depth to sustain their second-half fightback. Trouilloud's hat-trick and Palmier's flawless goalkicking give FCG a lethal combination that will trouble every Pro D2 defence this season.