In a critical clash of the Top 14 on May 10, 2025, Perpignan edged out Stade Français with a narrow 20-18 victory at Aimé-Giral, pushing the Parisians into the relegation playoff zone. The match was marked by tension and drama, as both teams fought desperately to secure their spots in the league.
The Stade Français, struggling with an alarming record of fifteen consecutive away losses, opened the scoring early in the match. Zack Henry, the Parisian fly-half, slotted a penalty in the 20th minute to give his team a 3-0 lead. This initial advantage was bolstered just before halftime when Peniasi Dakuwaqa crossed the line for the first try of the game, putting Stade Français ahead 10-3 at the break.
However, the second half saw a resurgence from Perpignan. Just two minutes after the restart, Lucas Velarte scored a try for the home side, leveling the match at 10-10. The momentum shifted further when Sekou Macalou intercepted a pass and scored for Stade Français in the 48th minute, re-establishing their lead at 15-10.
Perpignan responded with determination. Velarte notched his second try in the 61st minute, converting it to bring the score to 15-15. As the match progressed, Tommaso Allan's boot became crucial. He successfully converted a penalty in the 75th minute, giving Perpignan a 20-18 lead.
Stade Français had a chance to reclaim the lead in the dying minutes; however, a missed penalty by Henry in the 77th minute proved costly. The tension mounted as the clock ticked down, with Perpignan managing to hold on for the victory, thanks in part to Allan's decisive contributions.
After the match, Stade Français coach Julien Tastet expressed mixed feelings about the game. He noted, "We’re disappointed, of course. We lost, but we managed to secure a defensive bonus point. We showed character, and we won’t dwell on the negatives." Conversely, Romain Briatte, a key player for Stade Français, lamented the team's indiscipline, which resulted in three yellow cards, and stressed the need for improvement in their remaining matches.
With this loss, Stade Français now finds itself in a precarious position, sitting 13th in the standings with only 37 points, just one point above Vannes, who suffered a heartbreaking defeat to La Rochelle (30-29) on the same day. Perpignan's victory allowed them to leapfrog Stade Français, moving them to 12th place with 40 points.
The stakes are high as the season nears its conclusion, with only three matches left for Stade Français to secure their place in the Top 14. Their next encounter will be against Lyon at home, where they will need to capitalize on their home advantage to avoid further slipping down the table.
Meanwhile, La Rochelle's dramatic win over Vannes, clinched by a last-minute drop goal from Antoine Hastoy, added to the overall excitement of the day. The results of the 23rd round have intensified the battle for survival in the league, with teams like Stade Français and Vannes fighting to avoid relegation.
As the Top 14 season progresses, every match counts, and the pressure is mounting for the teams at the bottom of the table. With the relegation playoff looming, Stade Français must regroup and focus on their next challenge to ensure they remain in the elite of French rugby.
