Stade Français-La Rochelle: the efficient Parisian backs, Danty guilty... The tops and the flops

TOPS

If the spectacle was lacking this Saturday at the Jean-Bouin stadium, Stade Français will happily be content with this success against La Rochelle (18-13). A victory obtained with forceps thanks to the efficiency of its rear. Little in sight throughout the game, the Parisian arrows stung at almost every incursion. Léo Barré, all speed and thanks to his kicking game, was at the origin of the two tries scored by his team. The work first of Jérémy Ward, served on a platter by his friend in the center Joe Marchant, then of Kylan Hamdaoui, who allowed the Pink Soldiers to give themselves some breathing space in the second half. Finally, only Lester Estien is not directly involved in his decisive actions, real highlights of a very messy meeting as a whole.

Beaten twice in the Champions Cup in recent weeks, by Sale (5-28) then the Leicester Tigers (24-27), Laurent Labit's players were under pressure this evening at home. Without shining, they still ensured the essential, namely victory, to get back on track before Christmas Eve. After Toulouse during the 9th day, Stade Français offers itself a second champion of the championship on its lawn of Jean-Bouin and moves up to 3rd place, only three lengths behind the leader, Racing 92. There is no doubt that these four points gleaned will do good for the heads of the Pink Army, who are in difficulty in the game this Saturday.

FLOPS

Very discreet in the first period, the La Rochelle captain abandoned his teammates upon returning from the locker room. Guilty of a voluntary kick from Ward, the French international logically received a red card from the pocket of Thomas Charabas, his second career in Top 14. The bad gesture from the French center made the task very difficult for the Maritimes , who conceded a second try a few seconds after the start of their numerical inferiority, following the return of Ward, warned of a yellow during the same action as Danty. Despite good intentions at the end, the Rochelais fell for the sixth time this season in as many away matches. More bad news, Danty risks missing several matches due to his upcoming suspension. His participation at the start of the Six Nations Tournament could be compromised...

Twelve forwards in 80 minutes. With such technical clumsiness with the ball in hand, it's difficult to achieve anything other than a defeat for the Rochelais. Dominant in occupation and possession during the first half, Ronan O'Gara's players wasted an incalculable number of ammunition with forwards, committed both on the ground and in the air. If the match was so slow and exciting, these unfortunate errors had something to do with it. And to make matters worse, the Jaune et Noir scorer Antoine Hastoy, positioned at the back, was feverish against the poles with two failures. Upon arrival, La Rochelle suffered a new setback and plunged into crisis.