ProD2 champions Agen will be aiming to bring their attacking brand of rugby to the top flight this season.
ProD2 champions out to emulate success
ProD2 champions Agen will be aiming to bring their attacking brand of rugby to the top flight this season.
Having scored 80 tries en route to the title, Agen finished 11 points clear of their nearest rivals.
The eight-time former champions face a tough task - especially as they have the second smallest budget in the league.
They have still recruited 16 new players and they will need them to gel quickly as they face opening games against the likes of Toulouse, Bayonne and Biarritz.
Coach
Christian Lanta won a French championship as coach of Racing back in 1990 and two Italian championships with Treviso in 1997 and 1998. Lanta and former French international fly-half Christophe Deylaud led Agen to the 2002 French finals.
Captain
Former Stormers lock Adriaan Badenhorst has become a stalwart for Agen, coming in for heaps on praise for his role both on and off the field.
Ones to watch
After sitting on the bench in Toulouse and then Biarritz, talented fly-half
Valentin Current has moved to Agen in search of a regular first-team berth. When/if
Rupeni Caucaunibuca returns from Fiji, he'll provide some firepower out wide.
Home ground
Stade Alfred Armandie (13 500 capacity) is named after the founder of the club and was built in 1921 and renovated in 2007.
Transfers
In: Mosese Moala (Biarritz), Valentin Courrent (Biarritz), Kevin Swiryn (USA, VII), Osea Kolinisau (FID, VII), Brice Mach (Montauban), Beka Cheklashvili (Montauban), Manu Ahotaeiloa (Toulouse), Karim Kouider (Pau), Maxime Machenaud (Bordeaux-Bègles), Florent Cazeaux (Mont-de-Marsan), Miguel Avramovic (Pampas XV), Jamie Robinson (Toulon), Alejandro Campos (Montauban), Gert Muller (Lions).
Out:: Yoann Huget (Bayonne), Romain Sola (Albi), Maxime Carabignac (Albi), Guitoune (Albi), Anton Peikrichvili (Castres), Synaegel (Dax)
