Stade Français' Struggles in Knockout Matches Continue
Stade Français has experienced another disappointing end to their season, extending their drought in knockout matches since their last Brennus shield victory in 2015. Despite finishing second in the regular season and securing a direct semi-final spot, they fell short against UBB with a narrow 20-22 loss. Joris Segonds missed a crucial conversion in added time, which could have forced extra time.
Season Highlights and Statistical Achievements
Although the season ended in disappointment, Stade Français has notable achievements to be proud of. They finished second in the regular season standings, boasting the best defense and the most away victories. Under the new leadership of Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal, the team showed resilience and potential for future success. The team demonstrated strong defensive capabilities and managed to beat every team in the country at least once.
Promising Recruits and Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Stade Français has made significant moves to strengthen their squad. They have secured the services of Louis Carbonel from Montpellier and Yoan Tanga from La Rochelle, both of whom are expected to make substantial contributions. Additionally, the club will benefit from a new training center at the former PSG HQ in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. With these reinforcements and facilities, the club aims to break their knockout match jinx next season.
- The semi-final match against UBB was a tightly contested affair, with both teams showing moments of brilliance. The match started with Joris Segonds opening the scoring for Stade Français, but UBB quickly took control with two tries from Maxime Lamothe, leading to a 17-10 scoreline at halftime.
- Despite a strong start to the second half by Stade Français, UBB extended their lead with an 80-meter counter try by Bochaton. Stade Français managed to narrow the gap with a try from replacement hooker Peyresblanques, but Segonds' missed conversion left them trailing. The game ended dramatically with another try from Peyresblanques, but Segonds' missed conversion sealed their fate.
- Stade Français' president, Hans-Peter Wild, remains optimistic about the future. With the new recruits and training facilities, he believes the team is well-positioned to finally win a knockout match next season. The focus will be on building on this season's achievements and addressing the areas of improvement identified during the campaign.
