It’s a huge challenge that awaits the Stade Français players this Saturday. For their first European campaign of 2024, Laurent Labit’s men are traveling to Leinster as part of the Champions Cup. Defeated twice during the first two days, first on the Sale Sharks pitch (28-5, December 10), then at Jean-Bouin against Leicester (24-27, December 17), the Ile-de-France residents will have everything interest in winning if they want to see the final stages. As a reminder, only the first four places in the groups qualify for the round of 16. Currently 6th with a small point, Stade Français is far from the mark.
It will therefore be necessary to achieve the feat at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin against a team experienced in European games. Four times winners of the competition, Leinster have reached the final of the Champions Cup four times in the last six editions. In great shape and leader of group D with 9 points, the Irish did not miss their start, winning 16-9 against La Rochelle, in a repeat of the last two finals, then 37-27 at home against the Sharks.
On the national scene, Stade Français remains on a mixed dynamic, marked by a victory against La Rochelle (18-13), a defeat at Toulon (19-5) and a draw against Clermont (14-14) on the weekend. last in Top 14.
But for this shock, the Stadistes will be able to rely on the returns of Rory Kockott and Sekou Macalou. The first had extended his role as “World Cup joker” in November but had negotiated several weeks of leave in order to return to South Africa. As for Macalou, he has recovered sufficiently from his ankle injury sustained a week ago to be eligible to take part in the trip to Ireland.
Leinster – Stade Français kicks off this Saturday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast on BeIN Sports 2.
