Five successes in a row, ongoing series.
Already five away victories.
A first place in the championship with 10 points ahead of 3rd, 15 over 7th, before the 18th day of Top 14 this weekend.
And, icing on the pink cake, a young emblematic of the club, Léo Barré, propelled into the starting position at the back of the XV of France this Sunday against Wales.
For the Stade Français, everything is rolling at the start of 2024. So, even when looming, for the 18th day of the Top 14, a perilous trip to the double European champions La Rochelle (Saturday, 3 p.m.) in their lair by Marcel Deflandre, the Parisians do not tremble, or no longer.
“In La Rochelle, it's always very complicated, but our team is having a very good time, we have a very big ambition, which everyone shares,” assures captain Jeremy Ward.
It's difficult to win there, but we're going there to win!
»
We know where we are going, however, warns head coach Karim Ghezal.
They are very consistent, strong up front.
We are going to play an important match in hostile conditions.
Last week, Clermont went there to win and got steamrolled.”
📋 𝙇𝙀 𝙓𝙑
🔟 changes in the starting team
✨ The 💯th of 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲 in @top14rugby
😱 @MacSekou on the wing (but not from the 3rd line)
☝️ The first tenure of 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗶 at the back#SRSFP |
with @Rexel_Group pic.twitter.com/U8n1SKeun0
— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) March 8, 2024
The turnover continues, Macalou on the wing
Parisians have been warned.
However, they will go without much pressure to Charente-Maritime, continuing a turnover which has been successful for them quite well so far.
“Every week, everyone raises their hand to play,” continues Jeremy Ward.
There were 10 changes for the last match against Pau compared to the derby won at Racing, and we won with the bonus.
It speaks to the level of the squad, it’s one of the reasons why we are where we are.
It’s good for the rest of the season.”
Jeremy Ward, who extended his contract in Paris "because we can win the Top 14 and the Champions Cup here", finds his captain's armband worn by Sekou Macalou in previous matches.
The usual third row, author of a sparkling double against Pau last weekend, will be present on the field, but in a winger position, which he has already occupied at times with Paris and even the XV of France (victory against South Africa in Marseille in November 2022).
Joris Segonds regains a starting place at number 10, to the detriment of Zack Henry, on the bench.
Pierre Boudehent continues in the center alongside Ward, and the young Charles Laloi, seen in the Champions Cup, will celebrate his first start in the Top 14. In the third row Romain Briatte honors his 100th appearance on the Parisian jersey.
The match sheet
La Rochelle – Stade Français
, Saturday at 3 p.m.
Referee: Luc Ramos
La Rochelle.
Dulin - Nowell, Seuteni, Favre, Leyds - (o) Hastoy, (m) Kerr-Barlow - Botia, Tanga, Cancoriet (cap.) - Picquette, Lavault - Sclavi, Lespiaucq, Kaddouri.
Substitutes: Latu, Penverne, Dillane, Haddad, Jegou, Berjon, West, Kuntelia.
French Stadium.
Laloi - Marchant, Ward (cap.), Boudehent, Macalou - (o) Segonds, (m) Gimbert - Briatte, Hirigoyen, Halaifonua - Van Der Mescht, Azagoh - P. Alo-Emile, Ivaldi, Castets.
Substitutes: Peyresblanques, M. Alo-Emile, Gabrillagues, Pesenti, Kockott, Chapuis, Henry, Melikidze.