Looking ahead to Round 1 of the Pro D2

The 2021-22 ProD2 season kicks off this week with the first clash seeing Bayonne hosting Agen at Stade Jean Dauger. This is an insteresting one to start things off with as both teams were relegated from the Top 14 last season after a poor run of results.  

Agen, particularly, have all to prove after 2019/20 a season which could not really have been worse as they tasted defeat in every single one of their 26 fixtures.  

In comparison to Agen, Bayonne had a great season with 10 victories under the belt, but that was still only good enough for second-last place which sees them making up the numbers in the ProD2. 

The first of Friday’s seven fixtures sees Vannes travelling to Stade du Pre Fleuri to tackle Nevers. Vannes enjoyed a good season in 2020/21, finishing second behind Perpignan.  

Nevers hovered around the mid-table, completing the season in 8th place with 13 victories from their 30 appearances. 

New kids on the block, Bourg-en-Bresse, have recently been promoted to the ProD2 and will look to start strongly against Moutauban at Stade Marcel Verchere. 

Colomiers host Provence at Stade Michel Bendichou. The home side will be expected to take this one after their respectable season which saw them finish in sixth spot while Provence languished near the bottom in 13th. 

After just missing out on a play-off position in the previous competition, Carcassonne will open their 2021/22 campaign against Rouen at Stade Albert-Domec. Rouen will be looking to improve from their disappointing 2020/21 experience which saw them finish 14th.  

Narbonne will battle it out with Mont-de-Marsan while Beziers tackle Aurillac at Stade Raoul-Barriere. 

The first round will conclude with a big clash as Grenoble host Oyonnax at Stade Des Alpes. The two finished in fourth and fifth spots respectively in the previous campaign and the rivalry will thus be fierce.