This Sunday, derby day between Stade Français and Racing 92, it has been four years since Christophe Dominici left us. And when we see Lester Etien's performance on the wing, we say to ourselves that perhaps there is a sign of destiny…
The pre-match was logically marked by emotion. This Sunday, it was four years – to the day – since Christophe Dominici lost his life, much too young. A tribute was therefore paid to him before kick-off at the Jean-Bouin stadium, where the will-o'-the-wisp multiplied so many exploits, to the point of becoming a legend of the Stade français. On the pitch, it was therefore a question, for the current players of the Parisian club, of being worthy of this brilliant and ultra spectacular striker. This is a good thing, the switch to more offensive rugby was the major project desired by Laurent Labit's staff since last summer and this can, in part, explain the immense difficulties at the start of the championship.
But, in this derby, the Pink Soldiers immediately showed that they had ants in their legs. Especially one of them… Who other than number 11, the one that “Domi” has had so many times engraved on his back? He was Lester Etien who was downright unleashed. Author of a pretty crazy start to the match, he was quickly rewarded with a first try, purely as a winger, with an inside hook on the last defender. Subsequently, the person concerned experienced almost everything since by putting as much energy into attack as in defense, he reached the infirmary twice in the first half alone. He didn't come back after the second trip through the pits…
There too, friend Dominici would not have disowned the heir, as he was so used to sticking his nose in places generally not frequented by wingers. And Etien, during his return to the pitch, had time to score a double, dropping Henry Arundell quickly (please) before blasting Sam James on contact. Quite a wink.
