Paris (AFP)
Stade Français, bogged down in the depths of the Top 14, must remove doubts, including the fate of his coach Heyneke Meyer, in Agen on Saturday, while the dolphin Bordeaux Begles will seek to put pressure on the undefeated leader Lyon, before his Shock in Clermont to Sunday.
. Stade Français waits for Meyer days
The jump against Toulon (33-30) gave a breath of fresh air to the Stade Français and its South African manager Heyneke Meyer, but the Parisians remain last with 9 points, three lengths Agen (12th), at who they move on Saturday (18H00) in an unexpected duel for the maintenance.
The five defeats and more than 35 points conceded on average since the start of the season have done damage on the floors of the club: the general manager Fabien Grobon was thanked Thursday and replaced by a history of the house, Thomas Lombard, seven seasons and four shields of Brennus under the colors of Stade Français.
By the way, Meyer, suspended, was confirmed by the owner-president of the club, Hans-Peter Wild. But can he resist a 6th defeat in eight days?
"A 14th place, it's something that has never happened before in the history of Stade Français, so we must rectify the situation", has already warned Thomas Lombard on Canal +.
The other Parisian club, the Racing 92 is not in the best posture, either (9th, 13pts). The draw conceded at home, precisely against Agen (27-27), after already two defeats at La Défense Arena (against Bayonne and Lyon), forced the Racingmen to have to pick points outside. Starting with Saturday, on the ground of La Rochelle (20H45).
. Toulouse and Ramos want to follow
His momentum against Castres (36-15), Stade Toulousain, who has still not won away, must confirm Saturday (15:30) in Montpellier. Especially since the MHR remains on a worrying series of four games without a win.
French President Mohed Altrad made the shock a "turning point" in an interview with Rugbyrama, while assuring that there would be "no coup d'etat" in case of success Toulouse.
Side Red and Black, Thomas Ramos, returned from Japan for an injury which he is already given, should chained after playing the whole game and was decisive against the CO.
A return hailed by Toulouse manager Ugo Mola who sees him as a player "capable of making high intensity decisions".
. Bordeaux-Bègles in LOU hunting
In demonstration against Clermont (42-15) after having passed near the success at the unbeaten leader Lyon (25-23), the UBB is the other tube of this beginning of season and can put the pressure on the LOU, to only four lengths, in case of victory at Brive Saturday (18H00).
Only the Corréziens, undefeated in their Amedeo-Domenech stadium, do not have the profile of easy prey: they have already paid themselves Clermont (28-21), Toulon (39-17) and Toulouse (23-9) in their den.
And the promoted even came to impose on Chaban-Delmas in a friendly match in August (28-27). Bordeaux is warned.
. Lyon to the big eight?
In a remake of the semifinal of last season, the LOU, in search of an eighth victory in as many matches, goes to giboyer Clermont, closing the day Sunday (16H50).
Can no fault be possible for Lyon among Jaunards undoubtedly revenge after the slap received in Bordeaux? The moment is in any case ideal, just before a cut of three weeks and the expected return of most of the international in Auvergne.
© 2019 AFP