Wales international left heartbroken amid wild promotion celebrations
Sam Davies and Grenoble were hoping to make it third time lucky in the Pro D2 play-off final, but underdogs Montauban spoiled their day
Sam Davies looks crestfallen as Montauban fans celebrate their promotion to the Top 14
(Image: FR-UK YouTube )
Wales fly-half Sam Davies once again suffered Top 14 heartbreak as Pro D2 leaders Grenoble were beaten in a dramatic promotion play-off by Montauban in Toulouse.
For the third year in a row, Grenoble were once again beaten in the Pro D2 play-off match - with Montauban sealing their place in the top flight of France ahead of next season. Davies' Grenoble had finished the season top of the Pro D2 with a dominant 98 points - 21 more than sixth-placed Montauban.
However, as was the case in 2023 and 2024, Grenoble were unable to win - as Montauban continued their remarkable play-off run with a spirited 24-19 victory.
All is not lost for Grenoble and Davies though, with the Top 14 access match still to come.
That will see them face the second-to-last team in the Top 14 from this season, with the winner playing in the top flight next season.
Having signed a new three-year deal with Grenoble this season, the hope for Davies would have been that the French club could finally make the step back up to the Top 14.
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Ultimately, despite 11 points from the boot of the 10-cap Wales international, that wasn't to be.
The Welshman was forced off injured after just six minutes of the match, using his jersey as a makeshift sling for his arm as he left the pitch.
However, his absence was short-lived - returning to the field 10 minutes later with Grenoble leading 3-0.
Soon after, he extended their lead from the tee with a penalty of his own. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
However, underdogs Montauban rallied back - taking a 21-6 lead in the early stages of the second-half.
The boot of Davies - as well as a try from Wilfried Hulleu - dragged Grenoble back to within two points.
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With 13 minutes left on the clock, Davies had a penalty out wide to nudge Grenoble ahead, but his effort was agonisingly wide.
Thomas Fortunel knocked over a long-range penalty six minutes from time to extend Montauban's lead.
Desperately needing a try, Grenoble couldn't find a score late on - leading to wild celebrations from the Montauban fans.
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