FC Auch Gers
Encyclopedia
Football Club Auch Gers is a French
rugby union
club based in Auch
in Midi-Pyrénées
currently playing in Rugby Pro D2
, the second tier of the country's professional league system
. In recent years, they have bounced between the first-level Top 14 and Pro D2. In a five-year stretch between 2003–04 and 2007–08, they were either promoted or relegated four times—promoted to the then-Top 16 as champions of Pro D2 in 2004
, relegated in 2005
, promoted as Pro D2 champions again in 2007
, and relegated as bottom finisher in 2008
. Founded in 1891, the club plays at Stade Patrice Brocas (capacity 7,000); its players wear red and white.
Auch was founded in 1891. They were runners-up in the 2001 Challenge Yves du Manoir
competition, losing to Montferrand
(now Clermont) in the final. In the 2000s they were playing in the second division on French rugby, and in the 2002-03 season
they made the semi-finals toward promotion but were defeated by Montpellier
. However the following season
they were promoted to the top league, defeating Bayonne
in the Pro D2 final.
However they were relegated back down to Pro D2 for the 2005-06 season
. Nonetheless, they were also winners of the European Shield
, reprechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of the European Challenge Cup
that season. They defeated English club Worcester in the final.
Sakiusa Matadigo
Fabien Barcella
Jacques Fouroux
Franck Montanella
Mamuka Magrakvelidze
Ruben Spachuck
Raphaël Bastide
Kaiongo Tupou
Sergio Valdes
Mathieu Peluchon
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club based in Auch
Auch
Auch is a commune in southwestern France. Located in the region of Midi-Pyrénées, it is the capital of the Gers department. Auch is the historical capital of Gascony.-The Ausci:...
in Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region of metropolitan France by area, larger than the Netherlands or Denmark.Midi-Pyrénées has no historical or geographical unity...
currently playing in Rugby Pro D2
Rugby Pro D2
Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club rugby union in France, below the first division, Top 14. The competition was introduced in 2000. There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition...
, the second tier of the country's professional league system
Ligue nationale de rugby
The French National Rugby League is the name of the national professional rugby union league system of France. It is divided into two divisions:*Top 14*Rugby Pro D2-External links: *...
. In recent years, they have bounced between the first-level Top 14 and Pro D2. In a five-year stretch between 2003–04 and 2007–08, they were either promoted or relegated four times—promoted to the then-Top 16 as champions of Pro D2 in 2004
2003-04 Rugby Pro D2 season
The 2003-04 Rugby Pro D2 season was the 2003-04 second division of French club rugby union. There is promotion and relegation in Pro Rugby D2, and after the 2003-04 season, Bayonne and FC Auch finished at the top of the table and were promoted to the top level, and Bordeaux-Bègles and CA Périgueux...
, relegated in 2005
2004-05 Top 16 season
-Final:Stade Français Paris: 1.Rodrigo Roncero, 2.Mathieu Blin, 3.Pieter de Villiers, 4.David Auradou, 5.Mike James, 6.Pierre Rabadan, 7.Rémy Martin, 8.Shaun Sowerby, 9.Agustín Pichot, 10.David Skrela, 11.Christophe Dominici, 12...
, promoted as Pro D2 champions again in 2007
2006-07 Rugby Pro D2 season
The 2006-07 Rugby Pro D2 is a French rugby union club competition. The season runs alongside the 2006-07 Top 14 competition, which is the highest club competition. At the end of the season, Auch were champions and thus automatically promoted to Top 14. They were eventually followed by Dax who beat...
, and relegated as bottom finisher in 2008
2007-08 Top 14 season
The 2007-08 Top 14 Competition was a French domestic rugby union club competition, operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby . Because France hosted the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the competition did not begin at its normal time of August, but instead started on the last weekend in October 2007, one week...
. Founded in 1891, the club plays at Stade Patrice Brocas (capacity 7,000); its players wear red and white.
Auch was founded in 1891. They were runners-up in the 2001 Challenge Yves du Manoir
Challenge Yves du Manoir
The Challenge Yves du Manoir was a rugby union club competition that was played in France between 1931 and 2003 under different names. It is named after former player Yves du Manoir.-History:...
competition, losing to Montferrand
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club...
(now Clermont) in the final. In the 2000s they were playing in the second division on French rugby, and in the 2002-03 season
2002-03 Rugby Pro D2 season
The 2002-03 Rugby Pro D2 season was the 2002-03 second division of French club rugby union. There is promotion and relegation in Pro Rugby D2, and after the 2002-03 season, CA Brive and Montpellier RC were promoted to the top level, and US Marmande and Aubenas Vals were relegated to third...
they made the semi-finals toward promotion but were defeated by Montpellier
Montpellier Hérault RC
Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club is a professional French rugby union, based in Montpellier the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon. The club competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14. They originally played at Stade Sabathé but moved to the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in 2007...
. However the following season
2003-04 Rugby Pro D2 season
The 2003-04 Rugby Pro D2 season was the 2003-04 second division of French club rugby union. There is promotion and relegation in Pro Rugby D2, and after the 2003-04 season, Bayonne and FC Auch finished at the top of the table and were promoted to the top level, and Bordeaux-Bègles and CA Périgueux...
they were promoted to the top league, defeating Bayonne
Aviron Bayonnais
Aviron Bayonnais is a French rugby union club from Bayonne in Pyrénées-Atlantiques that currently competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14 competition...
in the Pro D2 final.
However they were relegated back down to Pro D2 for the 2005-06 season
2005-06 Rugby Pro D2 season
The 2005-06 season of the Pro D2 ran from August 2005 to June 2006.The top two teams gained promotion to the Top 14 whilst the bottom three teams were relegated to Fédérale 1.-Standings:...
. Nonetheless, they were also winners of the European Shield
European Shield
The European Shield was a reprechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of the European Challenge Cup in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The name "European Shield" had previously been used for the now renamed European Challenge Cup....
, reprechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of the European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
that season. They defeated English club Worcester in the final.
Honours
- Challenge Yves du ManoirChallenge Yves du ManoirThe Challenge Yves du Manoir was a rugby union club competition that was played in France between 1931 and 2003 under different names. It is named after former player Yves du Manoir.-History:...
:- Runners-up: 2001
- Rugby Pro D2Rugby Pro D2Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club rugby union in France, below the first division, Top 14. The competition was introduced in 2000. There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition...
:- Champions: 2004, 20072006-07 Rugby Pro D2 seasonThe 2006-07 Rugby Pro D2 is a French rugby union club competition. The season runs alongside the 2006-07 Top 14 competition, which is the highest club competition. At the end of the season, Auch were champions and thus automatically promoted to Top 14. They were eventually followed by Dax who beat...
- Champions: 2004, 2007
- European ShieldEuropean ShieldThe European Shield was a reprechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of the European Challenge Cup in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The name "European Shield" had previously been used for the now renamed European Challenge Cup....
:- Champions: 2005
Challenge Yves du Manoir
| Date | Winner | Runner-up | Score | Venue |
| 2001 | Montferrand ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... |
FC Auch | 34-24 | France |
European Shield
| Date | Winner | Runner-up | Score | Venue |
| 21 May 2005 | FC Auch | Worcester Warriors | 23-10 | Kassam Stadium Kassam Stadium The Kassam Stadium is the home of Oxford United Football Club, and is named after the ground's owner, and former chairman of the club, Firoz Kassam.... , Oxford Oxford The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through... |
Pro D2 Winners
| Date | Winner | Runner-up | Score | Venue |
| 2004 2003-04 Rugby Pro D2 season The 2003-04 Rugby Pro D2 season was the 2003-04 second division of French club rugby union. There is promotion and relegation in Pro Rugby D2, and after the 2003-04 season, Bayonne and FC Auch finished at the top of the table and were promoted to the top level, and Bordeaux-Bègles and CA Périgueux... |
FC Auch | Bayonne Aviron Bayonnais Aviron Bayonnais is a French rugby union club from Bayonne in Pyrénées-Atlantiques that currently competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14 competition... |
26-9 | France |
- 2006-072006-07 Rugby Pro D2 seasonThe 2006-07 Rugby Pro D2 is a French rugby union club competition. The season runs alongside the 2006-07 Top 14 competition, which is the highest club competition. At the end of the season, Auch were champions and thus automatically promoted to Top 14. They were eventually followed by Dax who beat...
(Automatic promotion)
2009-10 squad
Notable Former players
David SpicerDave Spicer
David Spicer , is a Canadian rugby union player who plays club rugby for the UBCOB Ravens of the British Columbia Premiership and who is also a member of the Canadian national team. Spicer is a centre but can also fill in at fly-half as well as on the wing.Spicer made his debut for Canada on...
Sakiusa Matadigo
Sakiusa Matadigo
Sakiusa Masinivanua Matadigo is a rugby union footballer who plays third row for Montpellier Hérault RC. He has been capped for the full Fiji national side, as well as representing Fiji at Sevens...
Fabien Barcella
Fabien Barcella
Fabien Barcella is a French rugby union player, currently playing for Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14 league in France. He also plays for France.- Domestic Clubs :...
Jacques Fouroux
Jacques Fouroux
Jacques Fouroux was a French rugby union player and coach. He captained France when they won the Grand Slam in 1977, and was the manager when the side repeated the feat in 1981 and 1987.-Player:...
Franck Montanella
Franck Montanella
Franck Montanella is a French rugby union footballer. He played for FC Auch in the 2006-07 Pro Rugby D2, which Auch won. His usual position is as a prop. He was also included in France's mid-year Test squad for 2007 in the two game series against the All Blacks in New Zealand. He now plays for...
Mamuka Magrakvelidze
Mamuka Magrakvelidze
Mamuka Magrakvelidze is a Georgian rugby union footballer, currently playing in the French professional Pro D2, for the Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby club. He previously played for other French clubs, the Montpellier Hérault RC and the Racing Metro 92 Paris.Magrakvelidze is also an international player...
Ruben Spachuck
Ruben Spachuck
Cristian Ruben Spachuck, commonly known as Ruben Spachuck , is an Argentine-born Portuguese rugby union footballer. He plays as a prop. One of the four Belenenses players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals, he moved to the French team of Blagnac after the tournament.Spachuck's first game for...
Raphaël Bastide
Raphaël Bastide
Rafael Bastide Gutierrez also known as Raphaël Bastide is a Spanish rugby union winger who has played professionally for Perpignan, Colomiers and, since 2004 for Auch. He played for Spain at the 1999 Rugby World Cup against Uruguay.-Notes:...
Kaiongo Tupou
Current Internationals
Francisco De La Fuente Juan Murré David PenalvaDavid Penalva
David Penalva is a Portuguese rugby union footballer, who plays as a lock for Nice, a French side competing in the French Fédérale 1 for the 2010-11 season. Penalva also plays for Portugal's national side....
Sergio Valdes
Sergio Valdes
Sergio Valdés is a Chilean rugby union footballer. He plays as a lock. He moved to France, were he played for Stade Aurillacois, Racing Métro 92 , and currently FC Auch.Valdes is an international player for Chile....
Mathieu Peluchon
Further reading
- Mes saisons 1903-2003 : F.C. Auch : Auch en Gascogne et le rugby, cent ans d'amour-passion, de Roland Porterie, éd. Football club auscitain, 2003