For Stade Français, semi-finalist of the Top 14 last year and only eleventh at the end of the first leg, “it is urgent to win”, recognized its captain Paul Gabrillagues before the reception of Bordeaux-Bègles.
“We need points. In our situation, it is urgent to win,” declared the Parisian international second row on Thursday at a press conference, before welcoming Jean-Bouin to UBB, second in the championship, on Saturday (4:30 p.m.) for the 14th day of the Top 14 .
Eleventh after their 38-23 defeat against leader Toulouse on Sunday, the Parisians have 23 points in the standings, as many as Perpignan (12th) and only one length behind Lyon (22, 13e), who occupies the position of roadblocker.
During the first day of the Top 14, Stade Français suffered a heavy defeat in Bordeaux (46-26), which had ruined its start to the season. The UBB “had been above in many sectors, we had been surpassed”, remembers Gabrillagues.
“Today we are in a situation in the ranking, it must be said, complicated, but things can turn around very quickly,” hopes Gabrillagues, 31 years old and 17 caps with the XV of France, optimistic even if the club from the capital returned empty-handed from the trip to Toulouse.
“We have several leaders on this team. Some showed it in Toulouse and it is with everyone, all together,” that Stade Français will get out of this situation, according to him.
“There is no fear,” declared fly-half or scrum-half Louis Foursan, starting for the first time this season in Toulouse. “But there is pressure, good pressure. The group is aware of where we are today and this match is surely a turning point. »
