With its Paris La Défense Arena unavailable while it is being restored to stadium configuration after hosting the Olympic swimming pool, the Parisian club is relocating its matches to Créteil. The first, against Clermont, was played in front of a sparse crowd.
Racing 92 debuted its series of relocations on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4:30 p.m.) at the Dominique-Duvauchelle stadium in Créteil. In front of a more than sparse crowd – fewer than 4,000 spectators, including former Prime Minister Jean Castex, now CEO of the RATP and a self-proclaimed rugby fan, in a stadium that can accommodate 12,000 – and not very inclined to show its enthusiasm.
Something that Christophe Urios, manager of a Clermont team dominated in the drafts 33 to 20, did not fail to point out. “A mood, what mood? There wasn’t one! It was really strange. It was like being in the post-Covid era…”
An end-of-the-world feeling shared by Frédéric Michalak, the Racing 92 three-quarter coach. “It was very sad. There were our families, our friends, our supporters but we had to acclimatize. It took us time. In the first half, we were asleep, but there was a spark at the right moment…”
“It reminded me of my beginnings in Colombes. I started eighteen years ago in Pro D 2 against Aurillac and there couldn’t have been more than 300 spectators…”
Henry Chavancy
The emblematic Parisian centre, Henry Chavancy, who was politely celebrated for his 400th appearance in the Ciel-et-Blanc jersey, preferred to take it with a smile. “It reminded me of my beginnings in Colombes. I started eighteen years ago in Pro D 2 against Aurillac and there couldn’t have been more than 300 spectators…”
Many Racing 92 supporters had made it known that they would not be going to Val-de-Marne to support their team, tired of these incessant moves (Auxerre, Le Mans, Le Havre, etc.). Which does not bode well for the future. Because Jacky Lorenzetti’s club has already announced that it will play its next two home games in Créteil, against Stade Rochelais on September 28, then Toulon on October 12 or 13.
Due to concerts at Paris La Défense Arena, it will also be necessary to find a place to host the Stade Toulousain and the Harlequins of London at the end of November and beginning of December. Laurent Travers had announced “four to five matches in Créteil” this season…
