Clearly, the lifts, or the “remontadas”, are Parisian in recent days. After PSG's Champions League quarter-final success in Barcelona (1-4), it is the turn of Stade Français, in a very different context, to reverse the course of a very poorly started match.
Trailing by 17 points at the break (7-24), the championship leader finally won against Bayonne this Saturday for the 21st day thanks to a final try from Habel-Kuffner (28-24). This success allows Laurent Labit's men to take a seven-point lead over their runner-up, Toulouse, who travel to the Vélodrome this Saturday evening to face Toulon (9:05 p.m.).
First 40 minutes one way
In the first period, the Bayonnais largely dominated the debates, as evidenced by their 64% ball possession in 40 minutes. Fullback Tiberghien, Bayonne's revelation of the season, got the ball rolling thanks to his speed and explosiveness (7th). Playing master Camille Lopez led the proceedings perfectly, adjusting a penalty (19th) before serving as Tiberghien again in the interval to widen the gap (28th).
Stunned, Paris added fresh blood with three substitutions at once. It did not happen. Despite a try from Parisian hooker Ivaldi (35th), the capital's players once again cracked the siren with a try from center Mori, on a delicious serve from Erbinartegaray (40th). The score could have been heavier if Lopez had not committed a forward before transmitting to his back Tiberghien who was trying a little earlier (Half-time, 7-24).
Completely crazy end to the match
At the break, Jean-Bouin's locker room apparently shook. Author of a good burst of pride, the teammates of French international Léo Barré imposed their rhythm, picking up the score thanks to a strong try from Briatte (51st). Galvanized, the players from the capital then accelerated thanks to a simple game, based on physical challenge.
But it was off the coast that Delbouis came to score another try (66th). Opposite, the Basques were reduced to 14 twice after the defeats of Bosch (49th) and Mikautadze (64th). At the end of the game, the Bayonnais lost their last possession of the ball and Léo Barré found an interval to finally die a few meters from the Basques in-goal. The game was ruled out and Habel-Kuffner, the future Bayonne player, scored the winning try. Heroic, Paris keeps its first place warm, Bayonne may regret.