Stade Français Overcomes 17-Point Deficit in Epic Win Against Bayonne: Top 14 Round-up

Stade Français, the leader of the adversity in the half-front against Bayonne, overcame a barrier of 17 points to win after the siren (28-24) on Saturday on the 21st day of Top 14 that laughed at Racing 92, in in Perpignan and in Toulon.

What character these Pink Soldiers have! Unknown against the unstoppable Basque waves three weeks after suffering the humiliation of Anoeta against Toulon (10-46) and authors of three attempts in the first period, the Parisians reversed the course of their destiny as a leader and a statistical curiosity (13th attack, 14th in attempts scored) at the start.

Trailing 24-7 at the break, they outscored Rowing 21-0, their last try coming from a breakthrough from Léo Barré which ended up on the other end with Giovanni Habel-Küffner, who it was announced in the Basque Country the following season.

This success obviously secures their first place and, now ten points ahead of 3rd, strengthens their chances of a straight semi-final finish.

The third place in the standings is indeed their closest neighbor, Racing 92, who went to the future that could be charged with Oyonnax (43-13).

Going on for half an hour, Stuart Lancaster’s men surged forward after the break, scoring five tries for an improved victory which is very good to take at this time of the season.

Perpignan, the surprise guest?

Right behind, La Rochelle failed to capitalize. At the beginning of the day, Castres ended a two-month drought by beating the double European champion to the wire (25-24).

A victory that allows Jeremy Davidson’s men to still believe in qualification despite their 9th place, just three points from the top 4.

The Maritimes, who for the hostility suffered against Leinster in the Champions Cup (losing 40-13) fell apart in the end, mainly conceding two performances from Nathanaël Hulleu, while they were in numerical status.

Pau, who did not experience the final stages in the top 14, will also be in the final fight after his logical success against Montpellier (31-23), which will leave Hameau empty and are still in the playoffs with four points remaining. behind Lyon, 12th.

LOU, the only team with Bayonne that did not win away this season, must return.

Baptiste Couilloud’s teammates were corrected in Perpignan (51-20), unbelievable for a month (4 consecutive wins) with an additional bonus that allows Franck Azéma’s men to get closer to the qualification zone (8th, 49 points). It’s unbelievable after they started the season at the World Cup.

The momentum is there, it’s up to the Catalans to know how to keep it to write one of the most beautiful surprises in recent years.

Toulon on the brink

Saturday afternoon, the Marseille Vélodrome was the scene of a tough match between Toulon and Toulouse, which saw the Varois win narrowly (20-19), at fourteen in the 39th minute after their second line Samoan Brian Alainu sent him out, facing Toulouse who had left most of their executives to rest.

Thanks to this brief success, Baptiste Serin’s teammates climbed to 4th place (55 pts), a good omen before their trip to La Rochelle (5th, 52 pts) on the 22nd.

While Ugo Mola’s men, who will host their immediate pursuer next Saturday, Racing 92, leave La Canebière with the defense bonus point: still available.

This day ended on Sunday afternoon in Bordeaux, which found Matthieu Jalibert at the opening and Damian Penaud on the wing, with a great welcome from Clermont with Christophe Urios, back at Caban facing his old players.