European Cup: Racing 92 at the rendezvous despite everything

The Ile-de-France club, winner 22-9 in the first leg, will face the English from Sale in the next round, who defeated Bristol in the round of 16 (10-9 defeat in the first leg, 35-29 victory in the return).

This is the fifth European quarter in a row for the Ciel et Blancs, who have not missed this meeting since the 2016-2017 season.

The Racingmen, who won their three derbies in three weeks, are the fourth French team to join the European rollercoaster, with La Rochelle and Montpellier, who find themselves in the quarters, or defending champion Toulouse, traveling to Munster.

However, it was the Soldats Roses, three losses in a row on the clock, who started the strongest, inflicting a scathing 15-3 in 20 minutes on their opponents... As if to forget this complicated week between the suspension for eleven weeks of Tolu Latu or the output of their owner claiming leaders and professionalism.

This pretty reaction of pride from the Stade Français, when hell was promised to it, was however spoiled by Parisian indiscipline: the yellow cards of Sefanaia Naivalu (19th) and Clément Castets (26th) then the red card Naivalu ( 35e) thus opened up spaces that locals were able to take advantage of.

Not in the first period as Laurent Travers' men struggled to make their mark: with nine turnovers and five penalties at the break, the Racingmen seemed to be out of their shoes for a long time.

And if Adrien Lapègue, with a double (21st, 38th), kept hope alive, it was Racing 92 who had the last word.

First on a breakthrough by Teddy Thomas (44th) then on a successful penalty by Nolann Le Garrec (55th).

It was the latter that allowed the locals to take the lead for good.

But without ever succeeding in really taking shelter until the tests of Wenceslas Lauret (73rd) and Thomas (78th).

Still in the race for a ticket to the final phase of the Top 14, Racing 92 (6th) will have to show another face against Biarritz.

The French Stadium, for its part, has four matches, including a first in front of Pau, to end the season on a positive note.

© 2022 AFP