The Stade Français undoubtedly dreamed of a better reunion. The Parisian club’s return to the “big” European Rugby Cup, the Champions Cup, following a 6-year absence, is not going as expected. A correction of entry to the Irish from Connacht, a big home party once morest the English of Bristol canceled, then transformed into a 0-0 on the green carpet because of Omicron, and here are the Pink Soldiers already almost eliminated before being move on the field of these same English (Saturday at 9 p.m.).
“It’s like that, it’s the Covid, we are all housed in the same boat, deplores Laurent Sempéré, coach of the Parisian forwards. We are hanged on government decisions and the EPCR (organizer of the European Cups, Editor’s note). One week the canceled matches are won matches, another week it is a draw, soon it will perhaps be the other way around… Logic escapes me but it is the reality of the moment ”.
The Parisians want to be positive and take advantage of this prestigious match once morest the Bristol of the Fijian Semi Radradra, former terror of the Top 14 with Toulon then Bordeaux, to revive following the cruel defeat in Castres on a last badly negotiated scrum, last weekend in the league.
“The last scrum once morest Castres, we made the effort to digest it, continues Sempéré, even if the feeling of injustice prevailed. Against Bristol, we expect a very good level of opposition, without the intense pressure that there is in Top 14 on the results. Sportingly, it will be interesting, with more rugby, more playing time, less pressure of course, but we can work in continuity and prepare for the future ”.
“Bend down and clench your teeth”
This competition that the club does not want to “spoil” will be an opportunity for some players to get tough. The South African pillar Nemo Roelofse, who arrived from Nevers in Pro D2 this summer, has already discovered the superior pace of the Top 14 and still expects to run a lot… “Bristol is playing very fast, they are very dynamic, we worked on that, on the slowing down of the rucks, to have the time to put ourselves in place more quickly and to go up quickly in defense ”.
At 19, the young opener Léo Barré, selected with the French under-20 team for the next Six Nations Tournament, will also continue his apprenticeship … And also expects to defend a lot, especially once morest the overpowered Radradra. “We’ve been talking to me regarding it all week… We’re going to bend down and bite the bullet,” he smiles. It will be our defense that will win the match, not the attack, that’s for sure ”.
This match in England in a stadium without a gauge, “it is close to the very high level, we are playing a game that we are not used to seeing in the Top 14, quite open,” continues Léo Barré. We’re going to have to run a lot, have a lot of gas. This is the landing above. “
