The Pro D2 Shield won by Union sportive montalbanaise last June will almost certainly never be found. Stolen at an agricultural fair in September, the trophy will be remade identically, at the expense of the event’s organisers, to the tune of 12,000 euros.

The precious Shield, symbol of the Pro D2 title won by Montauban after their victory over Grenoble (24–19), had been lent to the FDSEA of the Tarn-et-Garonne to be shown to the public at the fair in Montbeton, near Montauban. Overnight on 20-21 September it was stolen, with no apparent break-in, while on display at a stand.

An investigation was opened by the Montech gendarmerie, but despite interviews and appeals for witnesses, no serious lead has emerged. CCTV footage produced nothing usable. After nearly a month of searching, the local authorities and the club alike have had to accept that the original Shield will most likely not be recovered.

So that the club can once again have an official trophy, the Ligue nationale de rugby (LNR) has agreed to commission a replica. The quote, estimated at around 12,000 euros, will be covered by the FDSEA, who were responsible for the Shield at the time of the theft. The new version should be delivered by the end of the year.