Stade Français took a big step towards the Top 14 semi-finals. Opposed to Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the clash of the 24th day, the Parisians won at home after a big fight (22-18 ). Behind the Toulouse ogre (1st, 74 pts), now assured of a place in the last four two days before the end of the regular season, the Parisian club consolidates its 2nd place in the ranking (71 points). Better, the Parisians leave their opponents of the day seven lengths behind and with 15 points ahead of Pau (7th, 56 pts), first non-qualified, are guaranteed to play the final phase.
With a complicated schedule on paper – an always perilous trip to Castres (10th, 54 pts) followed by the reception of the ambitious Toulonnais (4th, 63 pts) – Laurent Labit’s men will have to rely on the weapons which made bring down the UBB: an intractable defense and formidable pragmatism.
Facing the Girondins, the Pink Soldiers, although dominated for a good part of the match, were able to take advantage of their strong points to score almost on each of their forays, through scrum half Rory Kockott (15th), fly-half Joris Segonds (25th) or center Jeremy Ward (55th). In its usual style, solid if not brilliant, Stade Français did the job. And can aim for direct qualification for the semi-finals, avoiding this jump-off which has been denied to him since the 2014-2015 season… ended on a Brennus Shield.
The UBB, for its part, was too imprecise to push the locals towards a third setback in a row, after the rout of Clermont (41-18) and the lesson of Toulouse (49-18): from Damian Penaud, countered on a kick, to Madosh Tambwe, guilty of a forward which deprived the rear Louis Bielle-Biarrey of a try, passing by Maxime Lucu, not very successful on the kick, the Unionists were well too clumsy (15 hand faults, 7 forwards) and may have regrets.
Also read: Top 14: “a lot of regrets and frustration” for Bielle-Biarrey (UBB)
They only scored two tries, by center Ben Tapuai (10th) and hooker Romain Latterrade (40th). This is insufficient to get back into the race for the semi-finals. Perpignan and Oyonnax, during the last two days, can however allow Yannick Bru’s protégés to raise their heads.