The Stade Français was undoubtedly dreaming of a better reunion.
The return of the Parisian club to the "great" European Rugby Cup, the Champions Cup, after 6 years of absence, is not going as expected.
An entry correction with the Irish of Connacht, a big home party against the English of Bristol canceled, then transformed into a 0-0 on green carpet because of Omicron, and here are the Pink Soldiers already almost eliminated before move on the ground of these same English (Saturday at 9 p.m.).
"It's like that, it's the Covid, we are all in the same boat, laments Laurent Sempéré, coach of the Parisian forwards.
We are hung up on government decisions and the EPCR (organizer of the European Cups, editor's note).
One week the matches canceled are matches won, another week it's a draw, soon it may be the opposite… The logic escapes me but it's the reality of the moment”.
The Parisians want to be positive and take advantage of this prestigious match against the Bristol of Fijian Semi Radradra, former terror of the Top 14 with Toulon then Bordeaux, to revive after the cruel defeat in Castres on a last badly negotiated scrum last weekend. in the championship.
“The last scrum against Castres, we made the effort to digest it, continues Sempéré, even if it was the feeling of injustice that predominated.
Against Bristol, we expect a very good opposition, without the intense pressure that there is in the Top 14 on the results.
Sportingly it will be interesting, with more rugby, more playing time, less pressure of course, but we will be able to work in continuity and prepare for the future”.
💬 "Bristol is a very dynamic team"
Before the trip to the @BristolBears, a look back at the European press conference with Nemo Roelofse, Léo Barré and Laurent Sempéré ⤵️#BRIvSFP pic.twitter.com/fvcx4WnLPt
— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) January 13, 2022
"Bend down and clench your teeth"
This competition that the club does not want "to overuse" will be an opportunity for some players to get tough. The South African pillar Nemo Roelofse, who arrived from Nevers in Pro D2 this summer, has already discovered the top pace of the Top 14 and still expects to run a lot... "Bristol plays very fast, they are very dynamic, we worked on that, on the slowing down of the rucks, to have time to put ourselves in place more quickly and to mount quickly in defense”.
At 19, the young opener Léo Barré, selected with the France under-20 team for the next Six Nations Tournament, will also continue his apprenticeship... And also expects to defend a lot, especially against the overpowered Raddradra.
“I've been told about it all week… We're going to bend down and grit our teeth, he smiles.
It will be our defense that will win the game, not the attack, that's for sure.
This match in England in a stadium without a gauge, "it is approaching the very high level, we are playing a game that we are not used to seeing in the Top 14, quite open," continues Léo Barré.
You will have to run a lot, have a lot of gas.
This is the landing above.
"
