Top 14: Racing 92 wins the derby against Stade Français and goes to the semi-finals

Europe 1 with AFP 16:50 pm, June 03, 2023

Racing 92 will find the semi-finals of the Top 14 after its victory in the derby of the capital, Saturday in play-offs, against its neighbor Stade Français (33-20), reduced to fourteen after five minutes of play. The Ciel et Blanc will face Toulouse on Friday in San Sebastián for a place in the final. The other half, also scheduled in the Spanish Basque Country, will oppose the next day the double European champion of La Rochelle to the winner of Sunday's play-off between Lyon and Bordeaux-Bègles.

End of the match #SFPR92 V

I C T O I R E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

End of match and victory of the Ciel et Blanc against the Stade Français.

ARE WE IN THE SEMI-FINAL!!!!

⚡️ 20 - 33 pic.twitter.com/pr2PQndAHX

— Racing 92 (@racing92) June 3, 2023

Absent from the last four last season, the Ile-de-France will play their seventh Top 14 semi-final since their return to the elite in 2009-2010. For that, they were able to count on a try from Juan Imhoff (10th), Wenceslas Lauret (19th) and Gaël Fickou (79th) as well as the precision at the foot of Finn Russell (16 points, 100% success). But also, and above all, on a surplus of indiscipline on the Parisian side (12 penalties conceded), starting with the red card of the Parisian third line Marcos Kremer on a clearing at the level of the head on the Scottish opener of Racing.

Racing unbeaten at Jean-Bouin since December 2017

This third expulsion of the season for the Argentine, after the red cards received against Pau in the league (31-29 victory in October) and against Scotland in selection (defeat 52-29 in November), tipped the match on the side of the visitors who have not lost to Jean-Bouin since December 2017. This series of invincibility on the other side of the ring road, now increased to seven wins in a row, allows Laurent Travers' men to dream of a seventh Shield of Brennus, the first since 2016.

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But, before thinking about the France stadium, it will be necessary to go through San Sebastian and the Stade Toulousain. In the semi-finals, the Racingmen will have to be more efficient and less undisciplined (16 penalties conceded, two yellow cards, a penalty try). Because, despite one player less, or even two after the yellow card of Baptiste Pesenti (55th), the Parisians, carried by a powerful scrum, probably the best in the championship, made the Sky and White tremble.

Gaël Fickou, as a symbol

Pushed to the foul and reduced to fourteen and even thirteen after the temporary expulsions of Camille Chat (38th) and Eddy Ben Arous (40th), the visitors played with fire. But the tries of Sekou Macalou (33rd) and then that of penalty in stoppage time of the first period (40th + 7) only delayed the deadline. Disorganized after Kremer's card, the Parisians only held the shock by dint of self-sacrifice before - logically - dropping their foot in oppressive heat for Gonzalo Quesada's last match on the bench of Stade Français. And it was Gaël Fickou, the international center of Racing 92 who wore the colors of Stade Français for three seasons (2018-2021), who drove the nail in for good. Like a symbol.

Fickou's try crucified Stade Français' hopes at the last minute!!!

The @racing92 qualifies for the semi-finals! #SFPR92pic.twitter.com/ICBrhoxAdH

— CANAL+ Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) June 3, 2023