It’s the winter season in rugby, that of the cold in the stadiums, of the famous Six Nations Tournament and of these no less famous duplicates since the French Championship has the curious habit of continuing during international matches. After Italy-France this Sunday at 4 p.m. to launch the 2023 season of the Blues towards, we hope, a world title, you will take a small dose of rugby with a clash of the Top 14, between the Stade Français and the Union Bordeaux-Bègles, at 9 p.m. at the Jean-Bouin stadium.
To attract the public despite the cold and competition from international matches, the Parisian club has planned winter entertainment in its enclosure in the 16th arrondissement. On the menu: an eco-responsible ice rink, a mini snowboard track, another for curling, Air Hockey, biathlon, ice sculptures, or even, in addition to the traditional post-match Bodega, mulled wine and Tartiflette. Don’t throw any more, welcome to Les Bronzés do rugby.
Because in addition to the winter holidays, the Jean-Bouin stadium also intends to offer a beautiful match at the top of the table to its spectators. UBB (6th with 40 points) lost with the bonus last weekend in Castres, but remained on 4 wins in a row just before. Stade Français (2nd with 46 points), which also ended a series of 4 successes by losing in Perpignan last Saturday, will have to be wary.
“It’s a team that is gaining momentum in the last games, they are among those who have scored the most points, with us, warns Julien Arias, coach of the Parisian backs. We are expecting a very complicated match”. “It’s a team that hasn’t been successful for us for a few games (Stade Français remains on 4 defeats against UBB), continues the back Kylan Hamdaoui. We are second, but we see that the teams behind are very close to us. One misstep and you can get out of the top 6. We will have to stay focused. »
The two teams will be deprived of several internationals retained with the XV of France: Paris will play without Sekou Macalou (substitute in Rome) and Julien Delbouis (in the stands), the UBB without Yoram Moefana (holder in the center), Matthieu Jalibert and Sipili Falatea (on the bench).
The Stade Français also records the return of its second line Paul Gabrillagues, on the bench. Morgan Parra will be the captain of the Pink Soldiers for this clash.
Match sheet
Stade Français Paris – Union Bordeaux-Bèglesthis Sunday at 9 p.m. at the Jean-Bouin stadium
French Stadium. M. Alo-Emile, Ivaldi, P. Alo-Emile – Kremer, Timani – Briatte, Habel-Küffner, Hirigoyen – (m) Parra (cap.), (o) Seconds – Etien, Dachary, Ward, Tui – Hamdaoui.
Replacements: Panis, Castets, Gabrilagues, Ory, Coville, Barré, Glover, Melikidze.
UBB. Kaulashvili, Lamothe, Tameifuna – Cazeaux, Marais – Vergnes, Willis, Diaby – (m) Gimbert, (o) Holmes – Lamb, Lamerat, Massé, Bielle-Biarrey – Buros.
Replacements: Oghre, Boniface, Jolmes, Miquel, Zabalza, Garcia, Vili, Cobilas.
