Access match Grenoble-MHR: among the Escandes, there is Jeff the Montpellier and Eric… in the opposing camp!

Eric, à, droite, 4 ans, dans les pas de son père. Midi Libre – DR

Jean-François Escande is well known to veterans of Montpellier rugby. He is also the father of Eric, who will play this Sunday for Grenoble. Dad's prediction ? Montpellier advantage. 

Jeff has barely aged and Eric has grown up a lot. Jeff is Jean-François Escande, former center three-quarter of Montpellier Rugby Club, then coach. And Eric is his son. Following in his father's footsteps, he was trained at Montpellier, a club with which he played his first professional matches, and made his selections with the French under-20 team.

"I'm torn, he's my son"

Since then, Jean-François has left his place in the Montpellier sports department to take over the family vineyards in Félines, in Minervois. And Éric has come a long way, first finding his place in Toulon. And today in Grenoble. This Sunday, he will be opposed to his training club, the club of his father's heart. On this Sunday's match, Jeff recognizes him: "I'm torn, he's my son all the same."& nbsp;He has one regret: that his son is not in the Hérault camp: "If everything had gone well, he would perhaps still play in Montpellier. He didn't want to leave."

Father and son also a few years ago. Since then, Eric has shaved his hair. Midi Libre – DR

That was ten years ago. The financial agreement was not found. "The club did not think he would leave and did not make a real offer, regrets Jean-François Escande.Toulon wanted it. He left. It made me happy… Already, I would have liked him to play here but in Toulon, I was afraid he would miss the bench. And he imposed himself. What he did there is exceptional." In the harbor, Éric stayed there for five seasons, becoming vice-champion of France 2017. Before join Grenoble in 2019. Team which will therefore stand this Sunday against the MHR for a place in Top14 next season.

Grenoble, "they took a hit to the helmet"

Her favorite ? " In any case, Jeff points out, I will be unhappy. But I see Montpellier winning. Grenoble has a good group, a great fly half… but they took a blow to the head by losing the ProD2 final against Vannes. They made hand mistakes that cost them dearly. They suffered psychologically. While Montpellier dams, it remains an accident, it's tough. Now, the players will have to hurt themselves because Grenoble, in this match, they have nothing left to lose!" The MHR has been notified. 
 

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