Top 14 – Stade français corrects Racing 92 and gets a breath of fresh air

Two opposing dynamics clashed during the Paris derby. The French Stadium in the twists and turns of a ranking not up to ambitions and suffering from continuity, facing Racingmen who have recovered in recent weeks, allowing the Ile-de-France residents to be on the edge of the qualifying places. The locals were quick to get into the right tempo, Etien immediately distinguishing himself with a lively race and heading to the promised land for the opening of the scoreboard (5-0, 6th). If Dan Lancaster responded with one of his rare forays (5-3, 17th), the Stadistes regularly pressed on the outside. Etien was still in demand on his lane, after a nice maneuver from Carbonel out wide and a precise fixation on the final transmission (12-3, 33rd).

If Carbonel had missed two kicks previously, the end of the first act reserved a complete deliverance of the game for Laurent Labit's men. First by Marchant who was at the conclusion of a precise large-scale movement and a conclusion full of conviction, facing an Ile-de-France defense which was cracking on all sides (19-3, 39th). A context which grew in the process. Weber, irresistible with his action punctuated by speed and confusing hooks, launched the offensive. The imbalance was generated and the ball was exported admirably to the opposite wing. The passes are flying and Ward will be at the realization of a terrible launch, while the points go by in favor of the Stadistes (26-3, 40th). 4 tries to 0, and a virtual offensive bonus, after a first act synonymous with revolt for the championship barrage before kick-off. Emotional elevator, prolific derby

If the locals extended the pleasures with two additional tries from Jonas and Dakuwaqa at the hour mark (40-3, 60th) giving a salty note to this moment of the game, a reaction of pride from the Ile-de-France residents will occur over the last 20 minutes. A strong double from Kaitu'u to start, as a response, the hooker showing some panache with the ball in hand (40-17, 70th). While Van der Mescht received a logical red card following a dangerous tackle made on Chavancy (74th), Woki reduced the gap with a final try at the end of the line (40-24, 78th). Not enough to take away the offensive bonus of the locals, nor enough to mask the glaring shortcomings of the visitors in the first act.

The French Stadium breathes! The pressure was clearly on their shoulders at kick-off. In the urgent need to win during this derby, Laurent Labit's men provided the essentials with a certain brilliance. Finally pragmatic in key moments, the Stadistes achieved a primordial success to overtake the Section Pau and gain a minimum of confidence before the next trip against Aviron Bayonnais, despite a drop in speed at the end.

The Racingmen were unable to compete in the end. While we could sense a desire to fight and a willingness to generate differences, Stuart Lancaster's troops erred in realism and consistency in their content in the first period. Enough to be alarmed after a very dull hour of play, and a huge missed opportunity to move towards the heights of the Top 14 over time. The next reception at Stade Toulouse will be an inevitable reveal of the meaning to be given to this season.