The match: 20-24
Stade Français, the only club eliminated before the 4th day, had nothing to gain but that is not why it had to lose even with a reshuffled and rejuvenated team. From the outset, we felt the Parisians were concerned and serious and they were the ones who took charge of the match by picking on the Stormers cold. The Parisian youth quickly stood out with a try from Timo served by Ibo, the best way for both players to celebrate their first start.
Although not impressive, the Stormers were efficient by planting two tries in two forays into the opponent’s 22 meters. But the third time, they came up against a tough defense from Stade Français. Paris resisted and reassured itself by restoring the balance in conquest, particularly in the scrum where the South Africans had been dominant during the first half hour.
Thanks to a try from Etien served by Segonds, Laurent Labit’s team returned to the locker room with a five-point lead and soon after the restart with a try from Hirigoyen. The Parisians believed they were widening the gap with a Habel-Kufner attempt refused. From then on, the Parisians lost the plot and the South Africans, who came to obtain a result to secure their place in the first two and an eighth at home, took the upper hand.
The Parisian changes did not bring the energy hoped for, unlike those made among the Stormers who, in power and experience, cornered Stade Français in its 22 and pushed them to make mistakes. Reduced to 13 (yellow cards to Kakovin, 66th, and Castets, 68th), the Parisians ended up cracking on tries from Stassen and Libbok.
Frustrated, annoyed by the confusion caused by the refereeing, the Parisians were nevertheless very close to scoring the try for victory and the bonus before the siren but the Stormers were able to maintain their lead which ensures them second place.
2
Stade Français only scored two points in Group 2 of the Champions Cup
The player: Andy Timo
The young third row trained in Massy and arrived last summer at Stade Français took the time to get his first start after making a first appearance last weekend at Leinster. The U20 world champion, who is also part of the France 7 squad and is aiming for participation in the Olympics, showed all his potential, combining power and speed. Like the first Parisian try scored after a minute of play by Andy Timo, served by Ibo who had launched the Parisians perfectly.
