The new year commenced auspiciously. From a financial perspective, Stade Français executed a masterful maneuver, effectively sidelining a key rival in the relegation battle. Their victory over Perpignan (27-17) on Saturday evening, while not entirely convincing, provided crucial breathing room and averted a desperate fight for survival in the latter half of the Top 14 season.
Key Takeaways
Predictability is seldom a companion of Stade Français. Sidelined for three weeks due to the Omicron surge, the Parisians were expected to display a lack of rhythm early on, improving as the match progressed. Instead, the opposite unfolded. After a strong opening and a last-ditch goal-line save by Lester Etien (who later left the field due to injury), thwarting a certain try (16th minute), Gonzalo Quesada’s charges established a lead through Waisea’s try, exploiting a gap in the Catalan defense with two deft jump passes (23rd minute).
At 10-0, the contest appeared decided. However, Perpignan, despite staff changes due to a weekend COVID-19 outbreak, refused to yield. The promoted team capitalized on the Parisians’ generosity in defense and periods of listlessness. A try by fullback Lucas Dubois, a late replacement for the absent Melvyn Jaminet, following a defensive lapse by the Parisians, reignited the contest (28th minute, 10-7).
Often disorganized, vulnerable to attacks, and lacking cohesion, the Stadistes struggled, relying on Joris Segonds’ precision kicking to maintain their advantage. In the second half, the Parisians appeared to seal the win with another Waisea try (54th minute), but a try by Catalan prop Lotrian, following another defensive lapse (67th minute, 24-17), created tension until the final whistle.
