After the victory of the inhabitants of Ile-de-France over the Parisians (33-22), discover what caught the attention of the editors.
In Paris La Defense Arena
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Racing at the rendezvous
The Champions Cup is one of Racing 92’s priority goals. The club makes no secret of it. Despite a more than disappointing score this Sunday against Paris, Laurent Travers’ players climb through to the quarter-finals of the continental competition, where they face the English of Sale, a club on the outskirts of Manchester. No back-and-forth showdown this time, but return to a dry, knockout match, which the residents of Ile-de-France will have the advantage of playing at Paris La Défense Arena. Jacky Lorenzetti’s club is still in the running for a first continental title, having taken the final step in 2016 against Saracens, in 2018 against Leinster and finally in 2020 against Exeter.
The reaction of pride of the Pink Soldiers
They were promised hell, another defeat at Paris La Défense after falling into the Top 14 and after the misfortune conceded to Jean-Bouin last week. And it didn’t. The players of Gonzalo Quesada have risen and competed with their neighbors in 92, who have been without a solution for a long time. The Parisians’ game plan was simple: a war of rucks and rain of candles. Which totally destabilized Wenceslas Lauret and his teammates. As the game progressed, Stade Français broke loose, offering play and offensive action, taking the best of their three games against Racing on Sunday. And he can leave the Champions Cup with his head held high. Despite being 13 points behind in the first leg, the Soldats Roses never gave up. Neither took in water from all sides. We had to wait for the 57and minute for Racing to take the lead on the scoreboard.
Lapègue in the good photos
In the first half dominated by the Parisians, Adrien Lapègue added value by scoring a double. For his first try, the Paris winger is moved down the line by Veainu after a volley candle from Glover. After a perfectly controlled slide, he manages to level off. On his second try, well compensated by his opener Nicolas Sanchez, the Aviron Bayonnais-trained player (arrived in Paris 2018-2019) catches Teddy Thomas to go flat in the in-goal. Maximum realism for the player going to Provence Rugby (Pro D2) next season.
claw blows
Naivalu ruined everything
A totally failed game. Two yellow cards in 35 minutes for a wholly justified exclusion, as Stade Français led 15-6 and was only 4 points behind to fill. First yellow card in the 19thand minute for a dangerous tackle. Back to the field and second yellow card for an attack in the shoulder, without tackling, on Dupichot. Goodbye and thank you… The funniest part of the story? It was Veainu who appeared before the referee after this second bad gesture. Did he really think it would pass? Chavancy, who was sitting in the front row, couldn’t help but laugh. And it was finally Naivalu who was called by the referee to receive his second yellow card. The turning point of the game. Paris – already punished last week by the eviction of his whore Latu – didn’t need that.
The Huge Mess of Sky and White
Grabbed by the throat, the Racingmen completely missed their first period. Laurent Travers’ players were not only dominated up front and in the collisions, but also missed many testing opportunities. Like this totally failed pass by Camille Chat for Juan Imhoff, when the difference was made after a sumptuous breakthrough by Gaël Fickou (25and† Or this for Boris Palu (31and), while Yoan Tanga had torn the Parisian defensive curtain. So much fever for Ciel et Blanc, totally out of the game in the first period. Finn Russell, the king of “someday it’s yes, someday it’s no”, Sunday wasn’t a good day. Guilty of mistakes and inaccuracies in his play. Ultimately, the essentials for Racing are assured, but Laurent Travers will certainly have a lot to complain about.
