At the back of the pack, the Parisians no longer have a joker. They must beat the Bordelais this Saturday at Jean-Bouin, otherwise they will face the end of the season with fear in their stomachs.
Battle activity among the pink soldiers. This first match of the return phase of the championship is decisive, determining. Win it to keep the hope of a «reassembled» or, at a minimum, an end to the season without too much stress. Lose it and stay stuck at the back of the pack, fighting with Lyon, Perpignan and Pau for long weeks to avoid the place of jump-off.
Issue. Stade Français is (still) not in a good dynamic. Since the beginning of December, Top 14 and Champions Cup combined, the Parisians have only won one match (just before Christmas, against Perpignan, 24 to 7) for four defeats. And they have already conceded a setback at home, against Toulon, at the end of September. Suffice it to say, Stade Français no longer has any room for error at Jean-Bouin, who is the only team not to have gleaned the slightest point (not even a defensive bonus) away from Porte d’Auteuil this season. .
The Parisians beaten in the first leg
Danger therefore, when a Bordeaux-Bègles Union appears with assumed ambitions and riding on a completely different dynamic. The Girondins have not lost since November 2 and come to Paris with confidence boosted by a series of six victories in a row. And the memory of a first leg match, at the opening of the Top 14 season, on September 7, where they beat Stade Français 46 to 26.
Fear in Paris then? “Not fear, but pressure. Good pressure, adds Louis Foursans, semi-versatile, scrum or opening. The group is aware of where we are. This match is a turning point. It must be won at all costs. We worked on our strategy well all week. Now we have to apply it in matches.” That’s the whole problem right now. “The state of mind is good but the objective is to win the matches. So it’s very frustrating.”summarizes the head coach, the Englishman Paul Gustard.
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In our situation, we need points. There are no questions to ask: it is urgent to win!
Paul Gabrillagues
The emblematic captain of the pink soldiers, Paul Gabrillagues has, as often, summed up everything in a few clear words, without pretense. “It’s a very important match. In our situation, we need points. There are no questions to ask: it is urgent to win, hammers the international second row (31 years old, 17 caps). It must be said what is, we are in a complicated situation in the ranking. But things can turn around very quickly. And everyone is determined to change the course of this championship which, for the moment, is not in our favor. But we will achieve it together. Not just a few leaders…” Who, however, are back – him, Ward, Weber, Carbonel, Barré, Paul Alo-Emile… – for this crucial meeting.
