The rocket is launched.
The thunderous rise of Stade Français in the rankings offers him a chance to pursue his dream, to extend his adventure until the final phase.
Enter the top six and reach seventh heaven ... For that, it will be necessary to win in Bayonne, this Saturday evening (9:05 p.m.) during the final day of the Top 14, perhaps even with the bonus, or at least to do draw if the other results are favorable.
Not easy, but nothing seems impossible to the Parisians who have just chained five victories in two months by registering nearly 200 points.
After its setback at the end of March at the Jean-Bouin stadium against Clermont (34-27) which seemed to bury its last illusions, the Stade Français successively dominated Pau (46-32), Racing 92 (35-29), Brive (31- 28), Montpellier (32-10) and Lyon (46-27).
“Personally, after the defeat in front of Clermont, I couldn't believe it anymore,” says the back Kylan Hamdaoui.
I told myself that the season was folded.
But we had a lot of time to work well, to sort out the things that were wrong.
"
A balance found
Relying on a powerful and mobile pack at the same time, on fast and perforating three-quarters, on a formidable striker, Joris Segonds is the best director of the Top 14 with 299 points, the club of the capital seems to have found its balance , despite headwinds, such as the departure of its flagship player Gaël Fickou in full exercise, mid-April. “The team is even better without him,” assures a close friend of Parisians. This is what we see that something is happening. What should have weakened her actually strengthens her. "
Still, the Stade Français, even reinvigorated, will not find a red carpet unrolled under its crampons on the banks of the Nive.
The Bayonnais are playing their survival in the Top 14 and must at least snatch a draw to avoid a maintenance barrage against the loser of the Pro D 2 final between Perpignan and Biarritz.
Gonzalo Quesada's men have no right to lose and are forced to do better than Toulon, traveling to Castres ... "We do not ignite", keeps repeating the Parisian manager.
The 26th and last day:
Bordeaux-Bègles-Toulouse, Clermont-La Rochelle, Racing-Brive, Castres-Toulon, Bayonne-Stade Français, Lyon-Agen, Pau-Montpellier.
The classification:
1. Toulouse, 77 points; 2. La Rochelle, 77; 3. Racing, 73; 4. Bordeaux-Bègles, 72; 5. Clermont, 67; 6. Toulon, 66; 7. Stade Français, 66; 8. Castres, 64; 9. Lyon, 60; 10. Montpellier, 54; 11. Brive, 51; 12. Bayonne, 45; 13. Pau, 41; 14. Agen, 2.
