Sad 12e of the championship last season, the Parisian club is once again at the forefront (4e) before the burning derby against Racing 92 this Saturday. Explanations.
Gustard (finally) has full powers
Assistant in charge of defense, interim head coach, main arm of Gonzalo Quesada then of Laurent Labit… The English technician has experienced everything since his arrival in the Parisian staff in 2022. Including the ego quarrels between Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal. Appreciated by the players – his knowledge of defense had allowed the SFP to be semi-finalists in the championship in 2024 – but increasingly isolated in the staff, Paul Gustard had desires elsewhere and was very close to responding to the sirens of Leicester. But the president of the Parisian club, Hans Peter Wild, wanted to keep it at all costs. He therefore granted him full powers, letting him shape his staff. Morgan Parra saved his place, in charge of the attack, the only Frenchman in an Anglo-Saxon universe: Perry Freshwater arrived from Perpignan to take care of the forwards, Ian Vass for skills, Rory Kockott for defense, Scott Crean for physical preparation. A staff finally united, sharing the same playing philosophy, the same demands. Who put the workforce back on track for success, 5e attack and 4e defense of the Top 14 after 11 days.
The melee takes all
After 21 seasons spent at Usap, former England prop Perry Freshwater joined the capital to bring his know-how in the art of scrum. The Parisian team’s strong point two years ago, it collapsed last season. The specialist restored all its solidity, allowing the lightning forwards to collect many penalties in this test of strength. A launching pad for the Pink Soldiers and comprehensive insurance. An example, among others: it was the eight in front who snatched, in the last seconds, the victory penalty when Stade Rochelais came. The no scrum, no win has been resolved.
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Top 14: at what time and on which channel to watch the derby between Stade Français Paris and Racing 92?
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Kerr-Barlow, the new guide
Some might fear that the former All Black, world champion in 2015, was coming to Paris in early retirement, not retained by Stade Rochelais after eight years of good and loyal service. At 35 years old, Tawera Kerr-Barlow has proven that this is not the case. A competitor at heart, “Mister T” brings his rage to win and all his experience to the strategic scrum-half position where Stade Français lacked it. The New Zealander manages the weak moments, animates the strong moments, knows all the tricks of the trade. And promotes accelerated learning for young Thibaut Motassi. A winning bet after the failed one of his compatriot, and also All Black, Brad Weber, who has just been released from his contract.
Carbonel, unbridled brilliance
His arrival at Stade Français, during the summer of 2024, was to be the starting point of his return to the forefront. Ousted from his home in Toulon, Louis Carbonel bounced back limply in Montpellier. Where, like a curse, he found the one who had broken his momentum at the RCT, Patrice Collazo. In Paris, the talented fly-half, under-20 world champion in 2018 and 2019, would resume his trajectory. Weary! In a club undermined by internal dissension, the Varois had foundered, like the rest of the team. His chance had passed, we thought. But Paul Gustard maintained his confidence in him, assured him of the status of playing master of the Pink Soldiers. A confidence that reinvigorated “The Carbonator”. Not only does he pile up the points (121 in 9 matches played, 13.4 on average for the second director in the Top 14) but, reinforced by the English coach’s desire to try, Louis Carbonel opens gaps in the opposing defenses (18 broken tackles), alternates accurately between kicking and hand throwing. Having become a maestro again, he brilliantly led a rediscovered Parisian attack.
Nene, the X factor
Loaned to Dax last season to get tougher, the young 21-year-old center returned to the fold even a little more physically solid. And, with his 92 meter height and 108 kg, it’s moving. But it would be simplistic to reduce Noah Nene to his moving shoulders. The former footballer trained on the oval ball in Villejuif has all the panoply of the modern attacker: thrust to take the intervals, acceleration to revive his team, kicking game as powerful as it is precise. Which makes him the perfect complement to the experienced South African Ward. Already summoned by Fabien Galthié – without further action due to a shoulder injury – Nene should soon return to Marcoussis. For a first selection which seems promised in 2026.
