Duncan Casey: Descent into hell, and a heavenly rebound - the fascinating tales of French rugby's second tier

France's Pro D2 is sprinkled with wonderful stories, but none so remarkable as that of Grenoble's Antonin Berruyer, who will surely be the subject of a documentary sooner rather than later

PROMOTION: Montauban's Fijian wing Josua Vici Celebrates after winning the French Pro D2 final against Grenoble last weekend at the Stade Ernest Wallon Stadium in Toulouse. Pic: Valentine Chapuis, Getty Images.

MOST Irish rugby eyes will be on Croke Park Saturday, as we finally see whether Leinster can salvage another season of shortcomings in Europe by clinching the URC title for the first time since 2021. 

Mine will be 1,600km to the southeast, towards my old stomping ground of Stade des Alpes, Grenoble. My former club play in the Top 14 promotion/relegation playoff against Perpignan, who finished in 13th position in France’s premier division.