Pro D2 returns on Thursday and Friday for Round Two, and after an opening weekend of big scores and early statements, we should learn considerably more about some of the promotion favourites and the two newcomers.
If Round One was about introductions, Round Two begins to ask questions.
Provence Rugby looked every inch the pre-season favourites as they dismantled Agen 44-10, scoring six tries and securing the attacking bonus point.
Now comes a rather more searching examination.
Thursday: Colomiers v Provence
The round opens on Thursday night with arguably its standout fixture.
Colomiers host Provence Rugby at 8pm UK time, a repeat of last season’s Pro D2 semi-final.
These have been two of the competition’s leading clubs over the past couple of seasons. Colomiers reached the play-offs in 2024-25 and the semi-finals last season, while Provence have recorded a semi-final and final appearance over the same period.
Provence won their meeting in last season’s final four.
Their contrasting starts make Thursday particularly interesting.
Provence swept aside Agen, while Colomiers were beaten 38-26 at Soyaux-Angoulême.
We already know Provence should be formidable at home. Winning at Colomiers would be a rather stronger early indication that they really are the team to beat.
Can the promoted clubs respond?
Perhaps the most intriguing story on Friday involves Narbonne and Nissa Rugby.
Their combined score from Round One wasn’t pretty.
Dax 57-19 Narbonne.
Biarritz 36-5 Nissa.
That’s 93 points conceded between the two promoted clubs.
But there is an important difference this weekend: both are at home.
Narbonne welcome Nevers while Nissa face Béziers, with both games kicking off at 6.30pm UK time.
These are the matches that could give us a better indication of their prospects.
Survival in Pro D2 is built heavily around winning at home, and after difficult introductions on the road, Friday represents the first opportunity for both newcomers to establish their own territory.
Grenoble’s attack meets Montauban’s momentum
Another game worth watching closely is Montauban v Grenoble.
Montauban returned from the Top 14 and immediately achieved something valuable – an away victory, beating Nevers 25-21.
Grenoble, meanwhile, scored 57 points against Aurillac.
One name to watch is Grenoble full-back Hugo Trouilloud, who scored a hat-trick and supplied two assists in Round One.
Five direct try involvements in a single match is quite an opening statement.
Montauban against Grenoble therefore gives us an early meeting between two sides with legitimate ambitions towards the top end of the competition.
A new surface at Aurillac
There is even intrigue surrounding the pitch at Aurillac.
The famous grass surface at Stade Jean-Alric has been replaced by a synthetic pitch.
Friday’s meeting with Dax will be Aurillac’s first competitive home fixture on it.
How they adapt – and whether it encourages them to increase the tempo is something worth watching.
Their opponents could hardly arrive with greater confidence.
Dax scored seven tries in putting 57 points on Narbonne last weekend.
And what about Agen?
Friday finishes with another traditional French rugby fixture as Agen host Brive at 8pm UK time.
Agen need a response.
Their 44-10 defeat at Provence was comprehensive, with the hosts already 22-3 ahead at half-time.
Brive weren’t nearly as convincing in Round One but got the job done, edging Valence-Romans 23-21, with Jamie Shillcock contributing important points from the tee.
There is also an interesting trend to follow: Brive have won their first away fixture in each of the previous two Pro D2 seasons.
Can they make it three?
Pro D2 Round Two - Full Fixture List
Thursday 3 September
Colomiers v Provence Rugby – 8.00pm UK
Friday 4 September
Montauban v Grenoble – 6.00pm UK
Narbonne v Nevers – 6.30pm UK
Oyonnax v Biarritz – 6.30pm UK
Nissa Rugby v Béziers – 6.30pm UK
Aurillac v Dax – 6.30pm UK
Valence-Romans v Soyaux-Angoulême – 6.30pm UK
Agen v Brive – 8.00pm UK
What we’ll know by Friday night
It is far too early to start drawing conclusions from a 30-round season.
But Round Two should provide some useful clues.
Can Provence take their formidable home form onto the road?
Can Narbonne and Nissa demonstrate that they will be much harder to beat on their own grounds?
Was Dax’s 57-point opening performance a one-off or the beginning of something more interesting?
And can Montauban and Grenoble establish themselves immediately among the genuine promotion contenders?
Will Johnny Matthews score a try?
One weekend into the new season, Pro D2 has already reminded us why it is increasingly attracting attention beyond France.
Thursday and Friday should tell us a little more.
