Before Stade Français’s trip to Toulouse on Sunday, Parisian fullback Léo Barré warned: “All matches are finals from now on”. And the Parisians lost the first, heavily. Swept 49-18 at the French champion, Stade Français gave up its leadership position in favor of its winner of the day. “If we don’t take points this weekend, we could put ourselves in trouble for the future,” Léo Barré also warned.
Returning empty-handed from the Ernest-Wallon stadium, the Parisians blew a joker, while keeping their destiny in their hands. There is no fire in the pink house yet, but Stade Français would be well advised to win next Sunday to prevent any fire. Because arriving at the Jean-Bouin stadium the Union Bordeaux-Bègles and its “Patrouille de France”, the Penaud, Jalibert or Bielle-Biarrey, who exploded La Rochelle (34-14) and returned to 3rd place in the ranking… 4 points behind the Parisians.
Under threat from the UBB
A defeat in this clash against UBB, and Paris would find itself ejected from the first two qualifying places directly for the semi-finals of the Top 14, two days before the end of the championship. He would then have a trip to Castres, and the reception of Toulon, another direct competitor for qualification, to ensure this place in the top 2. An exit from the first two places and a passage through the play-off box would be a disappointment for the players by Laurent Labit, at the top of the Top 14 since February.
Even if the Stade Français manager denies it. “Even when we were first, we weren’t fooled by our level,” explained Laurent Labit in the Ernest-Wallon bays. We are not surprised at the level we have compared to a team like Toulouse. » Would the real place of Stade Français be a little lower in the ranking? The next shock against UBB, almost a quarter-final, will be revealing.
Unusual defensive weaknesses
Among the reasons for hope for Parisians, there is in particular the public’s return to Jean-Bouin. Thanks to its return to the top of the rankings, Stade Français has returned to good attendance numbers. The 18,529 spectators present for the visit of Bayonne, for example, helped them turn the match around in the second period. This new audience will be a valuable ally against UBB on Sunday, and against Toulon for the last day, June 8 or 9.
Conversely, what may be worrying is the new defensive weakness over the last two matches. Until then the best defense in the Top 14, the Parisians conceded 41 points and 6 tries against Clermont on April 27, and 49 points and 6 tries again against Toulouse on Sunday. The defeat in Auvergne was certainly played out at 14 against 15 after Halaifonua’s red card, and that in Toulouse with a second team on the Parisian side. But the Stadists had a habit of resisting whatever the circumstances. Stade Français will have to reconnect with its good defensive habits so as not to spoil a hitherto successful season.
