There was no exploit for the Stade Français. Beaten 28-17 without a bonus in Bristol, the Parisians have a second loss in this European Cup after the one conceded on the field of Connacht (36-9). A defeat that took shape from the first period when the Parisians nevertheless held off their opponent for a quarter of an hour. Moment chosen by the English to punish the visitors for the first time through Henry Purdy. A quickly played penalty in front of an overly wait-and-see defense allowed the British winger to score a first try, converted by Callum Sheedy (7-0).
The tricolor then have the opportunity to come back to four points but Nicolas Sanchez’s penalty goes too far to the left of the poles. A guilty lack of success since the British scored a second try a few minutes later thanks to Piers O’Connor well served by Randall after an English throw 10m from the Stade Français in-goal. The try is transformed and Bristol leads 14-0 (24th).
Not enough to defeat the Parisians who tried to bring danger to the opposing camp but who did not always play the shots well, like Kylan Hamdaoui who favored the individual option when a shift was possible ( 34th). Finally, Gonzalo Quesada’s men were rewarded and Léo Barré reduced the gap just before the break after a good game at the foot of Nicolas Sanchez. The Argentinian opener did not tremble in front of the poles and Stade Français then returned to a converted try from the English (14-7).
Too tender Parisians
Handicapped by too many ball losses, Stade Français still managed to come back to within four points of the English after returning from the locker room thanks to a penalty from Nicolas Sanchez (48th). The hope was short-lived since in the process, Harry Randall played the tricolor defense to go flatten in the in-goal despite four Parisians on his way (50th).
Overall, the Quesada players were too soft and the Bears were quick to take advantage of it. A few moments later, the French were slow to tackle and Luke Morahan managed a superb breakthrough before serving Piers O’Connor who only had to conclude (60th). 28-10 at that time but the tricolors did not give up and Antoine Burban pulled away to close the gap in a forest of players near the in-goal (66th). More aggressive, the players from the capital showed courage in the last moments but finally lost (28-17).
With 12 points, Bristol climbs to 4th place while Stade Français is in penultimate place with only two points. The Stadistes will host Connacht on the next day.
