L'Étoile sportive catalane is a rugby union club based in France at Argelès-sur-Mer. It plays in Fédérale 2, the fourth level of French rugby union.

History

The club was founded in 1912 as Union sportive argelésienne, in 1921, became Grenouille argelésienne, then Étoile sportive argelésienne, and in the 90's Étoile sportive catalane.

In the 60's the club played in regional championship and was promoted in third (Excellence) in 1968. Winning the title in 1970, was promoted in second division, returning in the third in 1976. In the 90's was promoted in group A2 and from there in 1996 arrived to play the eights of finals for the title of French Champion, losing against Toulose).

This could permit to the club to play in 1996–97 in first division, but the Board of the club refused, due economics difficulties.

Palmarès 1964 and 1967 : Champion of Roussillon Honneur (4th div) 1970 : Champion of France "Excellence" (3rd national division) 1971 : Eights of finals in the second division championship 1996 : Eights of finals in the 1995–96 French Championship 2005 : Finalist of Fédérale 2 championship

Famous players Marc Lièvremont formed in the club Thomas Lièvremont formed in the club Matthieu Lièvremont formed in the club Sylvain Deroeux (1996–1997) Nicolas Mas formed in the club Benoit Cabello (jusqu'en 2002) formed in the club Olivier Benassis formed in the club Jérôme Schuster formed in the club Vincent Sabardeil (2005–) Patrick Arlettaz (2006–2007) Benjamin Goze (2006–2007) Sébastien Mercier (2007–2008 2009–..) Diego Giannantonio (2008–2009) Nicolas Grelon (2009–2011) Bruno Rolland Fabien Sabathier Thomas Bouquié (2011–2012)

Roster hooker Laurent Gironella Romain Granal Yohann Stroniaz

Props Eric Sanz Benjamin Jimenez Jerome Berget Jerome Martinez Alexis Evra Janik Aulet

Lock-on Jean-Marc Fiches Mehdi Ameur Benjamin Goze Christophe Nou Laurent PicheyreThird Line Brice Barrere Vincent Roigt Jean-Batiste Pic Florent Ey Nicolas Crouilles

Number 8 Christophe Moreno Samir Jnaoui

Scrum-Half Guillaume Pull Julien Vaquerin-Goze Gabriel Cremadeils Alexandre Schuster

Fly half Mathieu Palau Sylvain Jorquera Ed Barnes Nicolas GarciaWings Laurent Garcia Arnaud Barande Damien Villamania Benjamin Barcia

Center Olivier Benassis Laurent Palau Vincent Sabardeil

Full-back Tom Boyer Loic Marty Anthony Carrasco

Notes and references

External links Official site