Top 14 – Stade français ratings – Racing 92: Parisian wingers successful, Henry Arundell still disappointing

Sports melanie. sport Sunday 24th November 2024 06:05 PM REPORT

In this one-sided Paris derby, the two Stade français wingers, Lester Etien and Peniasi Duakuwaqa, were electric. Opposite, on the contrary, Henry Arundell was once again very disappointing during this defeat for Racing 92 (40-24).

The tops

What a match experienced by Lester Etien. The Stade Français winger came off twice in the first half, not returning to the field in the second act. But when he was on the pitch, he also scored twice! On his first achievement, at the start of the action, he was at the end of a candle before concluding, shifted to his wing (6th). On the second, he outplayed Henry Arundell before resisting Sam James to finish under the posts (33rd). Often found with the ball in hand (four defenders beaten, 73 meters covered) the former Massy player was decisive in a short time in guiding the Stade français to victory.

Usually in the capital, it's the pack that's in high spirits. But in this meeting, the Stade Français backs stole the show from the fronts, like Peniasi Dakuwaqa. On a ball lost by Kharaishvili, the Fijian put the canes on. And when he starts speeding up, who can catch him? Nobody, obviously, so he finished in the goal at the hour mark. Apart from that, he was found a lot, whether on his wing or in the line where he very often came to offer himself. He covered 148 meters with the ball in hand (a large part of which was on his run leading to his try, of course) and made four crossings. Also clean in defense, he is becoming essential on his wing.

The flops

The number 10 of Racing 92 was overtaken during this meeting. He was beaten by Lester Etien following a candle, which led to the Parisian winger's first try (6th). If he then tried to bring a little creativity into the offensive play of Ciel et Blanc, he was unable to find solutions. He made a forward move after a pass – admittedly missed – from Sanconnie. He was also missing when returning from the locker room, trying to alert Kpoku to a pass that the third row was not expecting (47th). The Ile-de-France opener was also erased too easily by a hook from Weber on Ward's try. Replaced at the hour mark, he returned to the field committing a largely avoidable mistake on the last action.

We have been waiting for a long time now for the English winger's benchmark match in the Racing 92 jersey. Once again this Sunday evening, Arundell did not live up to his reputation. Announced as supersonic, it was overwhelmed by Lester Etien on the latter's second try (33rd). Defensively, his ordeal was total with four missed tackles (for one successful one). Even if he was not put in good conditions by his teammates, he showed himself incapable of making a difference with the ball in hand. It's way too light…