San Francisco Frontiers - Relegation fears continue for 'teddy bears' Stade Francais

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Relegation fears continue for 'teddy bears' Stade Francais

SPORTS 31.05.2025

Relegation fears continue for 'teddy bears' Stade Francais / Photo: © AFP

Stade Francais full-back Leo Barre said on Saturday his struggling side were like "teddy bears" in the second half as they collapsed to a 55-20 loss at Clermont in the French Top 14.

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The Parisians, in 12th spot, remain just a point above Perpignan in the relegation play-off berth having led Les Jaunards 17-6 at the break.

The 14-time champions host Castres next Saturday in their final game of the season.

"We were hungry in the first half and, me more than anyone, we were teddy bears in the second," France's Barre told reporters.

"We have to bounce back at home next week," he added.

In central France, former Australia centre Irae Simone was one of seven Clermont try-scorers alongside points from the tee by veteran Argentina fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta.

Urdapilleta's contributions moved the 39-year-old to second in the Top 14's all-time scorers list on 2491 points.

Former Castres full-back Romain Teulet leads the standings on 2612.

Barre's side only remain above Perpignan after the Catalans lost 38-15 at La Rochelle, who move up to the sixth and final play-off berth.

The 2009 champions, promoted four years ago, host league leaders Toulouse next weekend.

La Rochelle's former New Zealand scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow was in tears after his final home game for the club as team-mates Will Skelton, Ihaia West and Uini Atonio performed an on-field haka in his honour.

Bottom of the table Vannes were hammered 52-26 by Pau with the Bretons, who rose to the top-flight this season for the first time, are at newly-crowned Champions Cup winners Bordeaux-Begles next Saturday needing at least a win.

Elsewhere, Castres kept their hopes of a play-off place alongside La Rochelle, easing past Bayonne 33-3.

On Sunday, second-place Bordeaux-Begles fresh from their triumph in Cardiff last weekend head to Toulon, in third, and Top 14 holders Toulouse host Lyon.

Only six players from the success in the Welsh capital are in the matchday squad of 23 for Bordeaux-Begles' trip to the French Riviera.

Tonga prop Ben Tameifuna was on the bench last Saturday but wears the No. 3 jersey against Toulon, having posted on social media he had been drinking until at least Thursday in celebration of the Champions Cup title.

In the women's Elite 1 first division, Bordeaux beat Toulouse 32-24 to claim their third-straight league title.

N.Flores--SFF

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