The match: 27-12
To celebrate its 140th anniversary, Stade Français, in a vintage Max Guazzini era jersey, could not dream of a better gift than to defeat the reigning French champion in front of its public and make people forget, with style and also in the heat of the rucks, the polar cold fell on Paris. He sealed part of his success during the first period, taking the lead (10-0) at the break thanks to Léo Barré’s inaugural try on a finely played combination (7th) wide with an inside throw, Toulouse regretting the Lebel’s attempt refused (39th) for an obstruction by Santiago Chocobares.
Very lively, sometimes spectacular and always engaged as evidenced by a few clashes, this Clasico continued with a lone Parisian rider, even if the Toulouse residents tried to keep the ball alive. Joris Segonds added a second penalty goal (47th) before Ward broke through and at the end of this sharp action, veteran Rory Kockott offered his right winger Charles Laloi (20) with a laser pass his first try in Top 14 (49th).
At this moment in the duel between the capital club and the Capitole club, the teammates of Antoine Dupont – who entered in the 47th minute to the ovations of the public – were trailing 20-0, and the most surprising thing was the Toulouse inability to register the slightest point with a plethora of internationals on the field. No doubt upset to be thus blocked at zero, the champions of France finally reacted, and after a carried ball and a percussion from Emmanuel Meafu, they found the fault by the one who had regretted a little earlier his refused try, namely Matthis Lebel (53rd).
Thomas Ramos clumsy against the pink posts, Toulouse closed part of the gap with Barassi’s try (69th, 20-12), almost a carbon copy of that of Lebel. But it was said that Paris would have the last word, and this was the case in the 72nd by the one who had ruined the scoreboard, namely the impeccable Léo Barré, following a narrow escape from the stainless Rory Kockott. And this Stade Français, quickly cured of its ailments, could even have added to the bill by Mamadou Meïté (78th), a try refused for forward.
53
The Toulouse residents waited fifty-three minutes before scoring their first points in this Clasico played at Jean-Bouin.
The player: Léo Barré sets the tone
From the outset, the young Parisian fullback (21 years old, 1.89 m, 98 kg), trained at Versailles, found himself in the right place to pierce the Toulouse defense and score (7th). Then in the 23rd minute, he slalomed through the middle of his opponents and this initiative would have deserved a better outcome. Very interesting offensively in the first period, Léo Barré was at the conclusion of this very open match by scoring his double (72nd) in the wake of his pilot fish Rory Kockott.