The Parisians had the merit of overturning a match full of faults and clumsiness and winning (31-29) in the Pyrenees against Pau strangely absent in the second half despite their numerical superiority. A nice operation in the ranking despite a very random level of play.
What you must remember
It couldn’t have gone better for the Parisians. A foul from Pau, a penalty, and tumbling forwards lead to the try of captain Paul Gabrillagues (8th), transformed by Léo Barré. Gonzalo Quesada’s players lead 7-3 and, given the opposition, look like they’re going for a walk. But the rest of the first period is a succession of grotesque faults, barely imaginable clumsiness and astonishing blunders for professional rugby players. A first try from Bearn by winger Daniel Ikpefan who entered the heart of the Parisian defense like butter (19-7, 26th) increased the score after four penalties converted by opener Zack Henry (6th, 12th, 20th, 25th).
But it is Ikpefan’s second try that best reflects this non-match for almost an hour for the players in the capital. On a penalty for a beginner’s offside on a candle from Léo Barré, the Parisians quietly get back together, trotting. Full-back Clément Laporte sees the shot, runs up to the referee, at forty-meter level, plays quickly for himself, extends with the foot behind a slow defense, and finds his winger who flattened (26-7, 31st). If we add two introductions from the second line of scrum half Arthur Coville when the referee had warned him before the match, we obtain an indigestible porridge which seems to condemn the players of Gonzalo Quesada to a long way of the cross.
In the second half, the third line Marcos Kremer thinks he is a wrestler and sends his shoulder into the head of Zack Henry. Expulsion (58th). It serves as a trigger. His teammates finally come out of their lethargy and take advantage of Béarn’s weaknesses. Winger Harry Glover acrobatically concludes a movement of three-quarters of Paris (29-14, 66th). The second line Juan John Van der Mescht restarts the game for good on a strong try (29-21, 73rd). At 15 against 14, the Palois multiply the errors. Joris Segonds took the opportunity to bring his people closer on a penalty (29-24, 76th). And the Englishman Glover, on receiving a candle from his scrum half James Hall, goes on trial, transformed by Joris Segonds. Stade Français snatches a miraculous victory from the siren.
The player: Juan John Van der Mesht
The entry of the young South African second line (23 years old) in the second half gave a boost to the Parisian pack. His charges, his power and his density rebalanced the debates despite the numerical superiority of Pau. He even scored the try in full force which gave hope to the Parisians (73rd).
The number: 24
Led 29-7 at halftime then reduced in the second half to 14 against 15, the Parisians scored 24 points including 3 tries in numerical inferiority to snatch the victory.