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Grenoble did not expect to having to play another game to try to get into the Top 14 this season after their comfortable victory over Provence in the first Semi Final. However, the Green Army were too strong to keep at bay last week in the Pro D2 Final. Grenoble welcome USA Perpignan who are off the back of a victory over Stade Toulousian last weekend, but it was all a bit too late to avoid playing in the Access Match today. Finishing 1 point behind Stade Francais in the standings of the Top 14 will highlight how the Top 14 has been blown wide open below the top 2 this season. This could be a battle of the home and away form today, Grenoble have a fortress at home and USAP have only got a draw away from home in the league this season.
Grenoble will be looking to keep the score board ticking as always and will want to control the game against another physical outfit. They have run the changes from last week with Brandon Nansen in for Pierce Phillips at 5, Thibaut Martel moves to 7 instead of Victor Guillaumond (who moves on to the bench), Pio Muarua in at 8, Barnabé Couilloud in at 9 for Eric Escande ( on the bench), Julien Hériteau in at 12 instead of Romain Trouilloud (also on the bench) & Hugo Trouilloud comes in for Gershwin Mouton at 14 (who looked to have suffered a heavy knock last week). Tommy Raynaud is back on the bench, Giorgi Javakhia added to the bench & Giorgi Pertaia added instead of Cody Thomas probably after his error at the end last week. Grenoble will want to start quickly this week and avoid as many errors as possible. They will be reeling from their own errors last week at crucial times.
USAP will have been buoyed by the result last week against Stade Toulousian. They have also opted for a couple of changes starting with Kieran Brookes in at Tighthead for Nemo Roelofse, Joaquin Oviedo in at 8 for Lucas Velarte ( onto the bench). They have then boosted the bench with Warion, Buliruarua, Ceccarelli, whilst Brazo, Naqalevu are not in the squad from their involvement last week. Having only got a draw against relegated side Vannes away from home this season, USAP could be classed as underdogs in this match with Grenoble solid home form. However, they had a bit more luck away from home in the Challenge Cup, maybe they will think of it a European match to get a response today.
I am going to stick my neck out on this one and say that Grenoble manage to win this one by 10 points, think the home form will be a bit too strong. USAP will know they have to get physical against Grenoble to distrupt their game and that was clear last week. Tuilagi will be offering plenty of that when he gets the ball.