Stade Français secured a 45-5 victory over La Rochelle in a Top 14 playoff clash at Stade Jean-Bouin on Saturday, with standout performances from captain Thibaut Briatte and flanker Michael Alldritt, according to multiple verified reports. The win advanced the Paris-based side to the next stage of the playoffs, while La Rochelle’s hopes for a title defense were significantly dimmed. The match, played in front of a reported 12,000 spectators, featured a dominant defensive effort from Stade Français, who limited La Rochelle to a single try.
What Happened in the Stade Français vs La Rochelle Match?
The contest, held at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris, saw Stade Français control proceedings from the outset. The Parisians’ forwards, led by Briatte, established dominance in the scrums, while their backline exploited gaps in La Rochelle’s defense. The first points came from a penalty kick by fly-half Romain Ntamack in the 12th minute, followed by a try from winger Thomas Lameko in the 23rd minute. By halftime, Stade Français led 20-0, with a second try from center Virimi Vakatawa and a penalty from Ntamack.
La Rochelle’s sole try came in the 58th minute, scored by replacement center Rémy Grosso, but the visitors’ defense held firm. Stade Français added two more penalties in the final 10 minutes to seal the victory. The final score of 45-5 marked one of the most lopsided results in recent Top 14 playoff history, according to the official league website.
Key Performances: Briatte, Alldritt, and Le Garrec
Thibaut Briatte, the Stade Français captain, was instrumental in both attack and defense. The 35-year-old flanker recorded 18 tackles and 24 carries, according to the match’s official statistics. His leadership was cited by head coach Antoine Bérenger as a critical factor in the team’s performance. “Thibaut set the tone for the entire squad,” Bérenger said in a post-match interview with France 2.
Michael Alldritt, the Australian forward, also played a pivotal role. The 27-year-old, who joined Stade Français in 2022, was credited with 15 tackles and a crucial try in the 67th minute. Alldritt’s performance reinforced his growing reputation as one of the league’s most reliable forwards. “We knew we had to come out strong, and the team delivered,” Alldritt said in a statement shared by the club’s official Twitter account.
La Rochelle’s defense, however, struggled to contain Stade Français’s pace. Prop Valentin Le Goff, a key figure for the visitors, was substituted early in the second half after a reported shoulder injury. The team’s head coach, Laurent Truglia, acknowledged the challenges in a press conference. “We didn’t execute our game plan, and Stade Français took advantage of every opportunity,” Truglia said, as reported by Sport24.
Tactical Insights: Stade Français’ Defensive Mastery
Stade Français’s defensive strategy was a masterclass in discipline and execution. The team’s backline, led by fullback Jordan Poitou, consistently disrupted La Rochelle’s attacking rhythms. According to the match’s official data, Stade Français won 82% of their lineout throws, a significant advantage in the set pieces. The forwards also dominated the scrums, with the pack winning 14 of 16 scrums, as noted by Le Monde Sportif.
La Rochelle’s tactical approach, which emphasized a high defensive line, backfired as Stade Français exploited the space behind it. The visitors’ fly-half, Antoine Dupont, was limited to just three successful kicks, compared to Ntamack’s five successful kicks. This disparity highlighted the importance of kicking accuracy in the match, a point echoed by former player and commentator Fabien Galthié on BFMTV.
Stade Français’s coach, Bérenger, credited his team’s preparation for the result. “We focused on our structure and execution, and the players responded well,” he said. The win also marked a significant milestone for the club, which has not won the Top 14 title since 2010.
