Unleashed for an hour, the Pink Soldiers held their (large) advantage until the end despite the awakening of the Ciel et Blanc (40-24), at the end of the 10th day.
We found the Stade Français. Disappointing since the start of the season, Laurent Labit's team finally put an end to a series of eight games without a victory against Racing at Jean Bouin this Sunday (40-24) and offers itself a success on which to build for the 'future. Faced with very lackluster Ile-de-France residents, the Parisians showed their style.
The desire to find a dominant defense had been mentioned by the Parisian staff in recent weeks, it has finally been heard. The 13th defense in the championship rediscovered what made its strength last season with an aggressive defense which hampered Racing 92 for a long time. As can be seen by the six Ciel et Blanc forwards in the first period.
Well launched by a first try from Lester Etien, very prominent in the first half hour before giving way, the Parisians were patient to deliver what looks like a benchmark match. But after 30 minutes of play, even if it barely reflected the reality on the ground, the gap of only two points between the two teams allowed Racing to stay in the match. Then, in 10 minutes, everything changed, and Stade Français flew away.
Games and shows
Conquerors up front but above all inspired offensively, the Parisians made the difference with tries from Etien (32') Marchant (38') and Ward (40') in just eight minutes. Well animated by an inspired Weber-Carbonel hinge, it was the three-quarters of Ile-de-France who shone this Sunday evening with several high-class actions including a superb combination between Carbonel, Ward and Jonas on Marchant's try.
With the offensive bonus already in its pocket at the break, Stade Français would have been very ill-advised not to be wary of a return from Racing at the risk of experiencing the same misadventure as the promoted Vannes against UBB on Saturday. An idea brushed aside by a Racing team always lacking ideas and success. Quite the opposite of a Parisian team that had everything going for it. Joe Jonas didn't ask for that much when he recovered a snatched ball on the goal line to flatten his team's fifth try (57').
A return too late
A festival therefore, to which Dakuwaqa waited until the hour of play to add his try by recovering a ball on the ground before showing his speed over 60 meters (59'). Before that, he had put his opponents through hell with 4 crossings and more than 150 meters covered.
Surely a little less focused, the Parisians then conceded three tries, scored by Kaitu'u (63', 69') and Woki (74'). Enough to shake up their offensive bonus at the end of the match. But they held on and secured a five-point victory which allows them to come back to within three points of Racing (8th, 22 points) but above all to breathe a little more calmly away from this 13th place.
France
