Top 14: Stade Français in search of redemption against Toulouse

At Stade Français, life is never a long, quiet river. It’s even engraved in the DNA of Parisians. But let's admit that, to celebrate (a little in advance) the 140th anniversary of the club created on December 13, 1883 by six students at the Procope restaurant, there was better than an eventful evening. Last Saturday, after the defeat (30-6) against the Section Paloise, eight players and two staff members ignored the ban on the Labit-Ghezal duo for a drunken outing in Pau. An evening which degenerated, a Parisian player (the third row Giovanni Habel-Kuffner according to some media) having hit a member of the Section staff in the face.

These events obviously plunged the club into turmoil. Sanctions to come at the start of the week, which could go as far as dismissal for the author of the punch. The owner of Stade Français, Hans Peter Wild, traveling to the United States, is expected in Paris this Sunday to attend the Clasico against Stade Toulousain. And he expressed his wish to hear the offenders on Monday before deciding on the scale of disciplinary measures. But he has already made it clear how unhappy he is with this slip-up…

Present at a press conference on Friday, the new general manager of the Parisian club took the opportunity to dodge the subject, settling for the minimum. “Like any organization, there are rules, there is a framework and we must respect the institution, the group and the team. This is something we will resolve internally.” However, he hopes that his players will be keen to make up for their mistakes on Sunday evening against the French champions.

“We find our audience, we want to redeem ourselves and show our true level,” said the former coach of the attack of the XV of France. Before listing the multiple motivations that must drive its players. “We need to find victory again after the defeat at home in the derby (against Racing 92), then that in Pau. Then, it's a match for the 140th anniversary of the club. It's important too. We must respect history and be inspired by it. Stade Français is a club that has won a lot. So it’s about having the right attitude, the right behavior. Show that we play in this club for the right reasons, namely to have a competitive spirit. It is also a last outing before returning to the Champions Cup in eight days. And, finally, when you host Stade Toulousain, it’s always a very special match.”

He could have added that his players must win after having, according to one of them, “messed up in Pau”. The Pink Soldiers emptied their bags this week and promised to emerge stronger from this heartbreaking episode. A reaction feared by Toulouse residents. “We all know how it goes when things like that come out: the group can only count on itself and inevitably tightens up,” warned international fullback Thomas Ramos. “These kinds of events can create extra soul. We expect a match with maximum commitment,” continued assistant coach Jean Bouilhou. Who knows the stat? The Rouge et Noir have not won in Paris since March 2019.