Paris (AFP)

The Stade Français, the last best in Top 14, has the opportunity to confirm its good form of the moment with the reception of Toulouse, defending French champion, 4th in the standings and undefeated since the end of October, Sunday (21:00). But this "Clasico" version 2020 seems very unbalanced.

A glance at the figures is enough to measure the gap: the Parisians, red lantern, may stay on two games without defeat (victory over Pau 21-18, draw at Montpellier 20-20), they are seven points behind on Castres, 12th and first non-relegation.

The Red and Black, they have not lost since a trip to Montpellier on behalf of the 8th day and point to a length of the podium.

"It will be a complicated match. Toulouse has been on the water for two seasons. They have returned to an incredible level," admitted Julien Arias, three-quarter trainer for Paris.

"It is certain that, when we look at the classification, it is complicated to say that we are on the same level as them. Toulouse is champion of France. We were eighth last season. They are 4th this We’ve been last year since the start of the season. There’s no photo. But these are the matches we have to play. We’ll be selling our skin dearly, even if we’re not favorites. It is always a special flavor to face the Toulouse stadium, "added Arias, who became co-coach of the Roses alongside Laurent Sempéré in November.

Because the Stade Français is getting better. Paris has broken the negative spiral and likes to dream of staying when entering the return phase. And this "clasico", which can appear very faded, "falls at the right time", according to Kylan Hamdaoui. "We're getting better: it's a real test, a real challenge", assures the Parisian rear, which evokes a "clasico revisited".

- Toulouse upset? -

On paper, indeed, the poster may seem less attractive. We are far from the era of the "Stadium War" which saw Parisians and Toulousains fill the Stade de France (79,793 spectators in 2008) and fight for the titles.

But the Roses are aware of the importance of this match. It is therefore not surprising that the capital's club has put up 450 posters in the city to fill up and invited the club's former glories (Sylvain Marconnet, Christophe Dominici, Jérôme Fillol, Ignacio "Nani" Corleto ...) , just to give a little spice to this decisive meeting.

Toulouse side too, we know what this shock represents. "This match has lost that flavor but it's still a big match," said Julien Marchand, hooker and captain of the Rouge et Noir, hooked up by the RCT (13-13) last week.

"They are waiting for him. They have prepared this match as it should be. There are parallel events. They will have this extra motivation, that is certain," said Laurent Thuery, Toulouse defense coach, in echo.

"Of course, the French stadium is poorly ranked today. But it is a club that is not where it should be. With the quality of the players it has, we can see very well that, "He has put things back in order for the past month. The return of the internationals is doing him a lot of good. And the results go hand in hand. He will not stay there for the next few weeks, I am sure." .. ", said the Haut-Garonne coach.

Toulouse has not lost to Paris since January 3, 2016 (18-17 at Jean-Bouin). Almost four years later, the Stade Français can silence the skeptics.

© 2020 AFP