Paris (AFP)

The Stade Français can push a "phew" of relief.

The Parisian club, not realistic enough, was scared but ended up defeating Clermont (22-14) to afford a breath of fresh air, Sunday at the end of the 6th day of Top 14.

This second success of the season, with a double from Waisea Nayacalevu, allows Gonzalo Quesada's men to no longer be alone last.

They go up in fact up to Biarritz, thirteenth before this meeting.

Clermont, for his part, remains eleventh and pays his irregularity.

The Auvergnats had the opportunity to take the lead as the last ten minutes approached.

But Argentina's Tomas Lavanini missed a ready-made try.

Without doubt the turning point of the match.

The situation at Stade Français is far from comfortable but the fact of finally defeating ASM allows it to breathe a little.

The Auvergne club had won its six previous duels with the Parisian club, including three in the capital.

With a fast game, the Stadistes dominated the first thirty minutes but lacked realism.

Gonzalo Quesada was right that his team could have scored two more tries.

Third line cross Sekou Macalou came close to flattening twice.

He was even refused a try, for having released the ball after having yet sown three defenders.

Only Fijian winger Waisea Nayacalevu found the loophole, from a right-sided dive to receiving a kick from opener Joris Segonds.

To dominate is not to win and the Parisians finally left the field at the break with only two points ahead (11-9).

The Jaunards, despite their concerns in conquering, were able to be more opportunistic, like their Irish opener JJ Hanrahan, who converted three penalties in front of the poles.

But Nayacalevu, by far the best Parisian three-quarter since the restart, was in great shape.

The Fijian winger inherited a ball which he once again knew how to exploit in his right lane, by depositing three Jaunards.

Segonds however missed a second transformation and his clan remained within reach of Clermontois (16-9).

The winger Alivereti Raka was also responsible for bringing the Stadists back to reality by concluding a superb work of three-quarters of Auvergne and a breakthrough from Damian Penaud who escaped Ngani Laumape (16-14).

The Stade Français hooker Tolu Latu (ball in hand) resists the tackle of the Clermontois beaten in Paris, October 10, 2021 Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

Then the Parisians got hot when Argentina's second row Lavanini, for his first with ASM, missed a ready-made try after blocking a kick from Segonds.

Segonds then managed two penalties to protect his people.

© 2021 AFP