Paris (AFP)
If it has lost its luster, the Ile-de-France derby remains no less important for a reason: to come out of the lowlands. Stade Français, last, receives Sunday the 13th Racing, hoping to finally take off on the 9th day of Top 14.
Looking at the rankings, it's hard to believe that these two dunces from the north of the Loire were French champions in 2015 (Stade Français) and in 2016 (Racing 92). And yet, two years after the abortive merger project, the two false brothers of Île-de-France are playing last place Sunday at 16:50 at Stade Jean Bouin.
Of course, this year's World Cup is special. These two big teams have many internationals absent from the first eight days. But this handicap affects all residents of the elite and should not hide a deeper evil.
- Paris in the fog -
In any case for the Stade Français, which has not qualified for the final phase since its title. Instead of reluctant, the Stadistes stagnate at nine points, four behind the Racing and already, a victory seems obligatory not to be dropped.
For the record is dark: two wins and six losses, including heavy in the first two Lyon (43-9) and Bordeaux (52-3). With 285 points and 152 registered, Paris has the worst defense and worst attack.
Beyond the chart of accounts, the club is in the fog at the directional level. The Swiss businessman Hans-Peter Wild, owner of the club, became the new president on 19 September. And if the highly contested South African ex-Springbok coach Heyneke Mayer is retained as manager, the club has a new general manager: Thomas Lombard.
This former center or French international winger (12 caps), was four times champion of France with Paris at the turn of the century, during the good years with Max Guazzini at the controls. Appointed on October 17, he took office in early November.
"The arrival of Thomas is a very positive message," says Laurent Sempéré, head coach, who wants to believe at the beginning of a new phase, far from the last match lost in Agen (27-14) on 19 October, and highlights that it "coincides with the return of the internationals".
Gaël Fickou in the center, Paul Gabrillagues in the second row, Nicolas Sanchez at the opening, Paul Alo-Emile in right pillar, will be able to play.
"They are in a new dynamic as we, we were locked up to eat our black bread.It's nice to see guys who put the group back in the direction of the march," appreciates the center Jonathan Danty.
Is this derby still a match apart? "Yes, it's still the derby of the capital, especially since it's us the capital," Danty laughs.
- A new face Racing -
"We are part of the Hauts-de-Seine, we are very proud to represent the Racing and the 92", seems to answer him at a distance Laurent Travers, the coach of Racing, who believes that this derby "is always a match in particular, there is no home or outside, as we have seen in previous years. "
Since its defeat at La Rochelle (12-6), the Sky and White have recovered ten players including the French Camille Chat, Virimi Vakatawa, Maxime Machenaud, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard Le Roux and Cedate Gomes Sa, Scottish Finn Russell or the Ben Volavola Fijian.
If Travers emphasizes that it is necessary "to look at the reality (of the classification) and to face it", he does not want to fall into the panic and reminds that the 5th Toulon (18 pts) is only at five points. Or a bonus victory to Jean Bouin.
© 2019 AFP