2023-11-18 18:25:08
Grunts of annoyance tumbled from the well-stocked stands. In front of its public, the Stade Français suffered the law of Racing (9-13) during a seriously watered derby to quickly forget. The Parisian club loses its leading position which it leaves, temporarily at least, to its winner of the day.
Between drizzle and pouring rain, the shower drowned this derby in an icy broth from which not much came out. Jean-Bouin’s synthetic turf transformed into an ice rink, the ball into a soap bar, the hopes of a spectacle had already dissolved at kick-off. It was an afternoon for throw-ins and scrums, an afternoon of staying warm in the huddles, letting the wingers catch a cold.
Juan Imhoff, the Argentine winger of Racing who celebrated his 250th match with the Ciel et Blanc would have preferred a less blocked horizon. Siya Kolisi, the South African world champion, new recruit of the Ile-de-France residents, who will make his big debut under his new colors on Sunday November 26 in the Paris La Défense Arena against La Rochelle, in a dry and temperate environment, has since tasted the stands for the joys of continuous watering. The Springboks captain, barely off the plane bringing him back from the United States, attended the meeting in the company of Arsenal captain, Reece James.
In this very British setting, this derby was especially valuable for its suspense. To the powerful scrum of the Stade Français, which obtained three penalties in the first half by pushing into its opponent, Racing responded with two or three quick and loose movements, including a nice inspiration from its opener Tristan Tedder sending his three-quarter center Henry Chavancy trying a little kick to follow above the Parisian defense (16th).
The Racingmen then took the lead, without ever managing to take cover, even during the yellow card inflicted on veteran scrum half Rory Kockott (46th). That of the sky and white pillar Gia Kharaishvili (58th) had no more influence on the match. Poorly adjusted in touch, the Parisians were unable to take advantage of their rare opportunities at the end of the match. The distant duel between former friends Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers, who respectively became director of rugby at Stade Français and president of the board of Racing 92 after having coached Montauban, Castres and Racing together for fourteen years, therefore turned to the advantage of second.
Dots
Stade Français: 3 Segonds penalties (4th, 40th, 42nd)
Racing: 1 try from Chavancy (16th), 1 conversion from Tedder (16th), 2 penalties from Tedder (32nd) and Le Garrec (55th).
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