(Grenoble, January 1, 2026) — The Grenoble rugby club (FCG) has parted ways with forwards coach Patrick Pezery, effective Wednesday, December 31, according to reporting from ICI Isère. The club has appointed Pierre Caillet and Jérôme Villegas as his replacements.
FCG has made changes to its coaching staff as the team seeks to improve its performance in the Pro D2 league.
- Patrick Pezery, who had been with FCG since the summer of 2023, has been released from his position.
- Pierre Caillet, formerly the head coach of Béziers, and Jérôme Villegas, currently coaching the Brumbies in Australia, will join the FCG staff.
- Jean-Frédéric Dubois will remain the team’s principal manager.
The decision to remove Pezery, who was close to Nicolas Nadau, who departed FCG in October, follows weeks of speculation, ICI Isère reported. Pezery contributed to the team reaching the Pro D2 final in the past two seasons.
New Coaching Appointments
Pierre Caillet, originally from La Mure sur le plateau matheysin, was head coach at Béziers until last summer, according to the report. He will initially focus on recruitment. Jérôme Villegas, currently an assistant coach with the Australian Super Rugby team the Brumbies, is expected to work with the forwards.
Both new coaches will be presented to the players when training resumes on January 3, according to Le Dauphiné Libéré. Jean-Frédéric Dubois will continue in his role as the team’s principal manager.
Why It Matters
This coaching shakeup signals a potential shift in strategy for FCG, which currently occupies 10th place in the Pro D2 championship. The appointments of Caillet and Villegas, both with experience at high levels of the sport, suggest the club is aiming to bolster its performance and return to a position of contention. The timing of these changes, mid-season, indicates a sense of urgency to address the team’s current standing and build towards future success.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by ICI Isère and Le Dauphiné Libéré and added independent analysis and context.
