The 23rd edition of the Pro D2 starts on Thursday August 25th. While waiting for this date, the editorial staff of We Sport offers you a compilation of all the information you need to know before the start of the season.
The Pro D2 resumes its rights in a month. And several questions already arise. Who will succeed defending champion Aviron Bayonnais? Who will be the two teams relegated to National 1 at the end of the season? Questions that the 16 teams involved in this 2022-2023 edition will answer in the coming weeks and months.
The list of the 16 teams involved in this Pro D2 2022-2023
For this exercise, we will find teams accustomed to the Pro D2. Disappointing 14th in the Top 14, Biarritz finds the antechamber of the elite only one season after having left it. The Basques will face teams firmly rooted in this championship such as Stade Aurillacois, Carcassonne, Colomiers, Montauban, Béziers or Mont-de-Marsan.
Proof of a hexagonal rugby that is settling in all territories, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Brittany will once again have a representative each with Provence Rugby and Vannes. This is also the case for the department of Nièvre with Nevers or Normandy with Rouen. Accustomed to making the lift between the Pro D2 and the Top 14, Agen, Oyonnax and Grenoble are also part of this edition. The two promoted, Massy and Soyaux-Angoulême complete this starting line.
An even tougher race for the Top 14 this year
Coming out victorious from this Pro D2 will not be an easy task. In fact, nearly half of the teams involved in the exercise dream of qualifying in the top six, or even making it to the Top 14 if possible. Traditionally, the place of big favorite for the title of champion is reserved for the relegated Top 14. However, the soundtrack does not seem to have a real margin on its competitors.
Unhappy barrage against Perpignan, Mont-de-Marsan will be animated by a spirit of revenge this year. Despite the departure of Léo Coly, Stade Montois has retained most of its strength, unlike Biarritz. Very active on the transfer market, Oyonnax could well win the day if the mayonnaise takes between the new and the old.
The ambitious Provence Rugby and Nevers are also candidates for the first six places. After a disappointing 7th place last season, the Provencals will not want to miss each other a second time. For the men of Xavier Péméja, it will be a question of continuing their constant progress after a semi-final loss last season.
In this race for the top 6, we will not forget the revengeful Agen and Grenoble. Now well established at the head of the Agen team, Bernard Goutta will try to put a smile back on the faces of Lot-et-Garonne supporters after two difficult seasons. Same story for the Isérois who will still have to digest the departure of Ange Capuozzo left for Toulouse. Carcassonne and Colomiers will try like last season to thwart the forecasts and interfere in the barrage. A dam that Vannes will try to find after his failed season last year (11th).
Massy and Soyaux-Angoulême condemned to the descent?
If the race for the top 6 promises to be exciting, it will not be less for the battle of maintenance. Promoted to Pro D2 this year, Massy and Soyaux-Angoulême will try to avoid making the lift. Something that Ile-de-France residents have known too much in recent years. Indeed over the last 10 years, Massy has been relegated 3 times in National over their 4 seasons spent in Pro D2. Julien Maréchal’s men will hope to repeat their 2017-2018 season where Massy managed to hold on. For Soyaux-Angoulême, it’s a return to basics. The club chaired by Jean-Jacques Pitcho succeeded in its immediate recovery operation after its relegation in 2021.
In addition to the promoted, Aurillac and Rouen should be concerned by the battle at the bottom of the classification. The Cantalous will have to show regularity to Jean-Alric to avoid the ax of the descent in National. For Rouen, Nicolas Godignon’s men are now used to the fight to maintain after the last two exercises concluded in place of the first non-relegation (14th).
Where to watch the Pro D2?
The broadcast rights for Pro D2 are held by the Canal+ group. Thus, the Thursday match and the Friday poster at 9 p.m. are broadcast on the Canal+Sport antennas. The traditional multiplex will be available on the Rugby+ channel. Note that like every Friday of last season, the Late Rugby Club will offer a summary of all the Pro D2 matches of the evening.
Nos Pronostics :
Championship winner: Oyonnax
Finalist/Top 14/Pro D2 play-off: Biarritz
Other teams present in the top 6: Mont-de-Marsan, Provence Rugby, Agen and Colomiers
Relegated to National: Soyaux-Angouleme and Rouen
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