From Paris to Saint-Denis, from Jean-Bouin to Stade de France, there is now a hook through San Sebastian where Racing will face Toulouse on Friday. The Ciel et Blanc took the derby and dismissed a Stade Français too messy this Saturday afternoon (20-33) in a festive atmosphere.
A packed stadium in Paris is not common in rugby. It is even very rare. This final meeting at Jean-Bouin was a bit like a last chance, in many ways. A big parade, the pursuit of an adventure, or a farewell. A way also for an audience to give voice to a few cables of Roland-Garros, draining the crowds from the Porte d'Auteuil. This excitement in the stands was felt on the lawn heated by a summer sun.
Racing, a lame duck
The Parisians, probably a little too excited, were first picked cold. The third line Marcos Kremer, guilty of a clearing at the level of the head of the opener Finn Russell, was given a red card (6th) which changed the situation as dry. From dominated, the Ciel et Blanc became dominant, planting two tries by Imhoff (10th) and Lauret (19th) and settling comfortably and quietly in control (3-17, 26th). But Racing, this season, is a lame duck that struggles in the showdowns. Stade Français took advantage, pounding their opponent until they suffocated him. Sekou Macalou, at the end of a maul (33rd), then yet another scrum collapsed by Racing five meters from his line and converted into a penalty try six minutes after the siren, sent the two teams back to back to the locker room (17-17).
Penalty try for the @SFParisRugby!
17/17 at half-time! 🔥🔥 #SFPR92 pic.twitter.com/tNjXy9Svls
— CANAL+ Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) June 3, 2023
While it seemed to have done the hardest by sticking to the score, the Stade Français has strangely withered on its return to the pitch, as often in recent weeks. Less impactful, less enterprising, he left the initiative to his opponent, multiplying the faults. Finn Russell did not miss his opportunities and the Ile-de-France found themselves shortly before the hour of play almost safe from an unpleasant surprise (17-26, 55th). The last attempts, desperate but too static and telephoned did not change the face of the third derby of the season (the Parisians had won in Nanterre 48-10 on December 24 and the Ciel et Blanc had taken their revenge at Jean-Bouin on March 26). Gaël Fickou, author of a last-second essay, and his partners are still far from being champions of France, but they are already kings of Paris.
The @racing92 qualifies for the semi-finals! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dOINYsSpnF
— CANAL+ Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) June 3, 2023
Points
Stade Français: 2 tries by Macalou (33rd), penalty (40th +6), 1 transformation by Segonds (33rd), 2 penalties by Segonds (17th, 69th).
Racing 92: 3 tries from Imhoff (10th), Lauret (19th), Fickou (80th), 3 transformations from Gibert (10th, 19th), Russell (80th), 4 penalties from Russell (26th, 44th, 52nd, 55th).
