All eyes were on him.
All thoughts were on him.
It was the first game for Stade Français since the sudden death of Christophe Dominici on Tuesday.
The Stade Français, a “Domi” club from his prime, a club where he spent eleven seasons between 1997 and 2008 and notably conquered five Brennus Shields.
It is this whole club that is in mourning.
At the Gerland stadium, all Parisians warmed up with a t-shirt in tribute to their former winger.
A portrait of "Domi" on the front, his famous number "11" on the back.
Before a vibrant tribute.
The two teams, the two staffs, united, for a long and poignant minute of applause.
With many very moved faces, including that of Thomas Lombard, the Parisian general manager, who was the former international's teammate for seven seasons.
Mathieu Bastareaud, Lyonnais now, evolved a season at the start of his career with the ex-winger of the Blues.
He too had tears in his eyes.
Carried by the spirit of "Domi"
On the ground, boosted for a long time by the spirit of “Domi”, Paris held high for the Lyonnais, in particular thanks to a test from Kylan Hamdaoui (19th) and 14 points from Joris Segonds.
“We tried to honor his memory, confided at the microphone of Canal + Gaël Fickou.
There was a lot of emotion, he's someone who mattered a lot in rugby at the Stade Français.
We gave everything, we tried to reflect his mentality in a match.
"
Not always disciplined but well organized, united, efficient, the Parisians were in the lead for much of the match.
Logically.
Before cracking on a try from Demba Bamba a few minutes from the end of the game (75th).
They can harbor great regrets as this meeting could have turned from one side to the other.
It is a small stop for Paris, which remained on three consecutive successes in the league.
But the essential was elsewhere.
The evening ended as it had started.
All the players and their staffs formed a big circle to warmly applaud, once again, Christophe Dominici.
All together.
Red eyes.
To never forget it.
"Up there, someone must be proud," said Thomas Lombard, his voice quavering, after the match.