LIVESTREAM France: Grenoble Centaures @ Nice Dauphins, Feb. 4, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)

The Nice Dauphins make their return to the FFFA D1 Elite (Federation Francaise de Football Americain) by playing host to the Grenoble Centaures, Saturday, February 4.

The Dauphins last played in France’s top division in 2017 but after an excellent 2022 campaign in the second tier will be bringing back much of the core that had them knocking at the door the last few seasons. National team quarterback Sullivan Silverio leads the returning group of players along with linebacker Benjamin Touati and offensive lineman Anthony Simper.

Joachim Torrelli also returns to Nice, after spending a season away. The national team’s starting quarterback is an excellent athlete who can help the Dauphins in the defensive secondary or nearly any position on the field. The lone import on the team will be veteran running back/defensive back Charles Arnold (Concordia NCAA Div. III) who recently played in Romania.

For Grenoble, who finished with a 2-8 record in 2022, this looks like a rebuilding year. Several veterans retired including longtime quarterback Loic Caruso, Joffrey Hamman, and Félix Fourreau. Head coach Charles Torro will lead the 2023 squad which will feature several new young players. Some of the key returnees include wide receivers Steelwell Leboucher and Quentin Droquet as well as running back Handy Maldera.