Exeter Chiefs vs Stade Francais Paris

Exe head to Stade Charlety in southern Paris on Thursday night in good heart on the back of their recent run of good form in the premiership. Here's a preview from the Western Morning News:

Stade test whets the appetite of Baxter

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter believes his players will benefit from playing an Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against French giants Stade Francais in Paris on Thursday, regardless of the result.

The 13-times French champions and twice Heineken Cup runners-up, who are currently lying in seventh place in the French Top 14 Championship, have a star-studded squad put together with a budget in excess of 20 million euros.

Italian skipper and No.8 Sergio Parisse, England lock Tom Palmer, most-capped Australian forward George Smith, Argentina fly-half Felipe Contepomi, French internationals Dimitri Szarzewski, Pascal Pape and Julien Dupuy, former England winger Paul Sackey and ex-Munster full-back Paul Warwick are just a few names to whet the appetite for a trip to Paris.

They have only lost once at home in the Top 14 all season, and that was on Saturday, when they went down 22-18 to league leaders Toulouse in a game moved to the Stade de France because of its larger capacity, and it is arguably the hardest possible last-eight tie the Chiefs could have been handed.

However, Exeter have already won this season at places like Leicester and Gloucester, and will travel to the French capital relishing the prospect of testing themselves against some of the best players in the world.

"If you want to progress as a player and as a team, and want to gain experience, these are the sort of games that you get into the Premiership for," said Baxter, whose side have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions.

"We didn't battle our way through our qualification pool to then just say: 'We don't really want to go to Stade Francais'. It doesn't work like that. We fought and fought and fought to get through our pool because we wanted a big quarter-final. We've got one and now we've got to enjoy it.

"Stade are playing well, they are getting some good performances under their belts, and it will be tough for us, but we'll go over there with a great mindset, really have a go at the game, and try and win it.

"That's all we can do, but I know we'll really enjoy the experience, and we will be a better team for it, win or lose," Baxter added.

Both Exeter and Stade face a quicker-than-usual turnaround, having both played tough league matches last Saturday, but it is not an issue that Baxter is too worried about on this occasion.

"We will get the boys recovered from Saturday's game, see what our injury situation is, pick the best team we can, get on the plane and get over there and play," the Chiefs' boss said.

"I'm not too concerned about the quick turnaround. We're not going to do a lot of on-pitch preparation before the game, we will have a good look at some video, have a bit of a trot around on Tuesday, and jump on the plane on Wednesday.

"At this stage of the season, that is not always a bad thing. If I said to any of the guys that this week would involve turning up on Wednesday, jumping on a plane and going to play Stade Francais, they would prefer that to if we said we were going to have a day's training."

The match will be played at the 20,000-capacity Stade Charléty – a multi-use arena boasting an athletics track that Stade are using while a new stadium is built at their traditional Stade Jean-Bouin home.

The winners of Thursday's tie, being shown live on Sky Sports and broadcast live on BBC Radio Devon, will be away to Toulon or Harlequins in the semi-finals at the end of this month.

Can't wait for this one, should be a good travelling support

Will be keeping my fingers crossed for a Chiefs win As!

You guys have been in good form, so hopefully making the step up to get a win out in France in knock out rugby is possible, would be a massive step forward I reckon.

I'll also be praying the Scarlets do the same against Brive

rugbydreamer wrote:Will be keeping my fingers crossed for a Chiefs win As!

You guys have been in good form, so hopefully making the step up to get a win out in France in knock out rugby is possible, would be a massive step forward I reckon.

I'll also be praying the Scarlets do the same against Brive

Fingers crossed for your lot too, dreamer

We got close last year against Montepellier, and took Brive's scalp, and then almost had Perpignan in our first Amlin game back in the autumn - time for a big win? Hope so, and the adventure can continue!

Yep, the adventure is what a lot of it is all about!

Tis encouraging you guys beat Brive, really hope the Scarlets lads do the same. If we play like we did against Castres in the group stages of the HEC, I reckon we've a good chance.

If Chiefs keep playing the way they have been too, I think they've a seriously good chance. When are teams announced, do you know?

Winning against a big team in France is a big Milestone in any teams book.

Hope Chiefs manage it, and hope they get into the h-cup next year, this will prepare them well for H-cup next year if they do get there.

Ulster used to always get Stade Francais, I kinda miss them and hope they make it next year and we draw both them and Chiefs (arn't likley to get Aironi 3 years in a row).

Good luck for you boys ASBO! Stade have been poopie so far this season so the biggest challenge for yours will be dealing with the pressure. Get to grips with the Stade pack soon-as and you'll be fine, just don't let them start playing the champagne stuff.

From April, the French rugby is global on Rugby Digital Radio 2 ! From 5 AM to 11 AM (UK), 6 AM to 12 (SA), 2 PM to 8 PM (AUS) and 4 PM to 10 PM (NZ), find rugby news in English and interviews of Anglo-Saxon players evolving in France. Listen to Rugby Digital Radio 2 on the website : h t t p : / / w w w . rugbyradio . net

This week, find interview of Paul SACKEY, Stade Français and England player and Johnny LEO'O, Racing Metro 92 and Manu Samoa player.

Good luck, Exeter, I think you'll get this, as Yappy says, Stade haven't exactly been fantastic

I'm going

will be a tough game for Stade Français this one, we haven't been in brilliant form of late, and Exeter are having a great year.

Mad for, see you there - apparently the Chiefs fans are all heading to the Bodega in the stadium after the match

Some good build up pieces in the WMN this morning:

Shoemark dreams of Heineken Cup glory

Exeter Chiefs centre Jason Shoemark is keenly awaiting the club's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final with Stade Francais tomorrow, but he is already dreaming of the Heineken Cup next season.

The Chiefs are well placed for a successful end to the current campaign. They are still in contention for European glory while lying fifth in the Aviva Premiership.

A top-six finish in the league will ensure even better days lie ahead next term, with qualification into European rugby's top-tier competition.

"We're going well in the Premiership and we've got a quarter-final in the Amlin Cup to look forward to – it doesn't get much bigger, so these are exciting times," Shoemark said. "We're building all the time, and it's exciting.

"We're in the Amlin Cup quarter-final and maybe next year we can get into the Heineken Cup, fingers crossed, so things are looking up."

Such ambitions do little to diminish Shoemark's excitement for tomorrow's clash in Paris, however.

He expects Stade Francais to play with typical French characteristics. They will be daring in attack and confrontational up front. However, the Chiefs must enforce their own game.

Shoemark said: "I think we can expect everything from them. They are a French side and will throw the ball around and play from anywhere.

"We've got to make sure we implement our own game-plan and try to get our own attack going. If we can do that, hopefully things will go our way."

While many others are showing signs of fatigue as this season nears its end, the Chiefs are going from strength to strength as influential players return from injury.

Shoemark says the competition coming from within Sandy Park is every bit as tough as what they face from the opposition.

He said: "The competition is bringing out the best in us. At centre, Sireli Naqelevuki is back from injury and he's an awesome machine when he gets going. Obviously, Bryan Rennie is playing well too.

"Phil Dollman is playing well at full-back and he can slot into the midfield as well.

"Josh Tatupu is also coming back from injury so it's pretty scary, really, when you think about it. We're going well at the moment, so that is all we can focus on."

Recent weeks have been particularly enjoyable for the New Zealander, with the Chiefs enjoying high-scoring wins over Sale and Gloucester, followed by two tries against London Irish last weekend. Shoemark said: "It has been nice, the last couple of weeks. The weather has definitely helped, and people have seen a different side to the Exeter Chiefs."

Camacho must help Exeter Chiefs overcome five countrymen in Amlin tie at Stade Francais

Exeter Chiefs wing Gonzalo Camacho will come up against some familiar adversaries in tomorrow’s Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final tie at Stade Francais.

The Argentina international scored a last-gasp try for Harlequins against the Parisians in last season’s Amlin Cup final at the Cardiff City Stadium, with Nick Evans’ conversion sealing a dramatic 19-18 victory.

The 27-year-old, who moved from The Stoop to Sandy Park last summer, has been an impressive figure in Exeter’s back line this season, and will be looking to carry on his fine form in Paris.

“Stade play a very dynamic game and have some world-class players, and they have a lot of Argentinian players there that I know, but we will try and impose our game on them,” said Camacho, whose fellow countrymen Felipe Contepomi, Gonzalo Tiesi, Martin Rodriguez, Rodrigo Roncero and Francisco Nahuel Tetaz are all in the Stade squad.

“Stade have great experience, but you never know what might happen and we are very ambitious, and with that hunger we can win any game,” he added.

“I scored against Stade in the final last year with about two minutes left to play and, while everyone remembers that try, it was a really good team effort that won us the title.

“I will be looking to score again, but the most important thing is that we play as a team and not as individuals.

“We must go forward with the ball and put pressure on them.”

If Camacho did score a try at Stade Charléty, it would be his second in two games for the Chiefs, having notched his first for the club in the 18-11 Aviva Premiership victory over London Irish at Sandy Park last Saturday.

It took him 15 matches to finally break his duck since his move from Harlequins, and it was a very popular touchdown amongst Chiefs’ supporters.

“I feel marvellous,” said the engaging Camacho, speaking after the match. “I feel very happy for the team and for myself.

“I have finally got my first try for Exeter Chiefs, and it just shows that if you keep working you can get there.

“We will keep working as a team to try and reach the Premiership semi-finals, and perhaps even be champions.”

Camacho admitted Exeter had to work very hard to see off a London Irish side they had never beaten before in the Premiership.

“The first half was very tiring, going from side to side. We had a lot of the ball and we played with a lot of tempo, but in the second half London Irish had a little bit more of the ball, maybe because of the wind,” said Buenos Aires-born Camacho.

“Our defence was spot on, and even though we made little mistakes in attack and we hoped to be more precise there, a win is a win.”

Exeter have been playing a more expansive game in recent weeks, and it is a style of play that suits Camacho.

“When the weather is good and you can throw the ball around and get it wide, it is good for us, and good for the confidence of the players,” he explained.

“We are realising, each time we do that, that we have the skills and the players to play that way.”

Camacho admitted he was enjoying his time with the Chiefs, despite Harlequins currently sitting on top of the Premiership table and also involved in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Cup.

“In rugby terms, it has been a good move for me to Exeter, even though Harlequins are doing very well this season,” he said. “It has been a new challenge and everyone at Exeter has a strong focus on what they want to achieve.

“Not many clubs are in the same position as us and we’re going for everything this season. We’re in a great place, we’re very ambitious, and everyone wants to keep playing well.”

Hayes ready for Chiefs biggest ever

The Chiefs have never played in the knock-out stages in Europe before. Tom Hayes has become used to seeing his elder brother John steal the rugby limelight in his family, but the Exeter Chiefs skipper will be most definitely be on centre stage on Thursday night when he leads his team into the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals against Stade Francais Paris. Such a fixture would have been unthinkable even half-a-dozen seasons ago when the Chiefs were not in the top flight. But now Hayes, who led the west country team into the Premiership two seasons ago is describing the game at Stade Charlety as the biggest in the club's 141 year history.

In only their second season in the Amlin Challenge Cup, the Chiefs have reached the last eight by beating Perpignan and the Newport Gwent Dragons twice. Now comes the ultimate test for one of the new forces in English rugby.

"This is the biggest game the club has ever played - we've never been at this level before," said Hayes, who has led his side to six wins in their last seven outings.

"There was a lot of euphoria attached to our promotion wins against Bristol, and to certain wins in the Premiership, but when you look at it the Amlin Challenge Cup is probably the highest level of competition the club has ever played in.

"This is the rugby we all want to be playing in and there's no point in us being afraid of being here. We have to try and enjoy the challenge.

"We realise they've got some massive names and Stade has been a marquee name in rugby for 10 or 15 years now. But they're the big challenge that we have to relish and we have to face up to."

An unchanged side for the Chiefs, with Chris Whitehead and Ignacio Mieres having recovered from knocks picked up at the weekend:

15 Phil Dollman
14 Gonzalo Camacho
13 Bryan Rennie
12 Jason Shoemark
11 Matt Jess
10 Ignacio Mieres
9 Haydn Thomas
1 Hoani Tui
2 Chris Whitehead
3 Craig Mitchell
4 Tom Hayes (capt)
5 James Hanks
6 Tom Johnson
7 James Scaysbrook
8 Richard Baxter

16 Neil Clark
17 Ben Moon
18 Chris Budgen
19 Aly Muldowney
20 Ben White
21 Kevin Barrett
22 Gareth Steenson
23 Sireli Naqelevuki

Just reward for their recent good form

From the offy site:

[quote[b]Chiefs side to face Stade[b]

By Mark Stevens

There have been some big nights in the history of Exeter Rugby Club, but tomorrow in Paris promises to be right up there as the Chiefs tackle Stade Francais in the quarter-finals of this season's Amlin Challenge Cup (8.45pm).

Having seen off the likes of Perpignan, Newport-Gwent Dragons and Cavalieri Prato in the group stages, Rob Baxter's side will come up against arguably their toughest European assignment to date when they lock horns with the star-studded French outfit at the Stade Charlety.

Last season Stade were edged out narrowly in the final of this very competition by Harlequins and they have made no secret of their desire to go one better this term.

Standing in their way, however, are the Chiefs who - in just their second season in both Europe and the Aviva Premiership - have caused quite a stir over the past few months with some outstanding displays.

Sitting fifth in English rugby's top flight, just three points adrift of the play-off positions, the Chiefs head across the Channel brimming with confidence following a run of results that has seen them lose only once in the league since the turn of the year.

Ahead of kick-off, head coach Baxter admits both he and his team are relishing the opportunity of facing Stade on their own patch. He said: "We're looking forward to it because we know we tend to play well in these big fixtures. Every time we have gone into Europe and played against some of these well established French clubs, we've always put in a big shift.

"That is what I am assuming will happen again this week, so I know if we do perform well over in France it will make the game very interesting. At the same time, all I have said to the players this week is enjoy every moment, get yourselves in the thick of things and take this great opportunity to become a better player and a better team because somewhere down the line if we stay successful in the Premiership, then the Heineken Cup is a real possibility for us and this is just the kind of experience you need to thrive on."

With hooker Chris Whitehead (pictured) having declared himself fully fit despite picking up an ankle injury in Saturday's home win over London Irish, it means Baxter has been able to stick with an unchanged squad for this latest encounter.

He added: "Thankfully everybody who we had concerns over have come through 100 per cent fit. Indeed, some would have come through 100 per cent even if they had broken arms or legs because that is how desperate they are to play in this game. Physically and mentally we're in a good place at this stage of the season and that's great from my perspective.

"There are some teams who are probably already looking forward to their holidays, but we're not. Instead we have a number of games left that we want to win and this is the first of them."

Although the prospect of facing the talented Stade side on home soil may appear daunting to some, Baxter insists the Chiefs have already shown a number of times this season that they are capable of rising to the challenge when called upon.

"We've already had some real challenges this season, not least playing the likes of Leicester," said the coach. "We came through two games against them and we also came through what was a very tough final quarter up at Gloucester so, like I said, we've overcome some challenges already.

"This latest one will be different because of the distance we are travelling and it's a team we've not played before. At the same time we're not sure how they are going to attacking the competition either, but I know it will be an interesting game for us. It is games like this that you realise why you are in these competitions.

"I have kind of said to the players I hope it is tough over there because I want them to look at each other afterwards and say we have come through something special, because doing that and experiencing situations like they are going to face on Thursday will only make us better in the future.

"Right now I look around at the squad and I can see they look ready. There will be nerves pre-match, but that's to be expected and when we are like that and we’re a bit edgy, we tend to focus more and become an even better side. Also I think we have the confidence right now to attack certain areas of the game because we can do that.

"Obviously when you go to France your set-piece needs to stand up, simply because every French side takes pride in that. Looking at Stade you can see they have a good driving game off their line-outs, they run solid and they have some top performance. At the same time, we're doing OK in those departments as well, so I expect it to be a big physical contest."

Backing up the Chiefs will be their ever-loyal Tribe of supporters, many of whom are set to introduce their French counterparts to the now famous 'Tomahawk Chop'.

Baxter and his players know the importance of the Exeter fans' backing and the bond they share with the team. He said: "The best thing about the supporters and the team is that they live it together. Whether it be in the Shed at Gloucester or a corner in Perpignan, we are all in it together. As a team we feel the atmosphere they create and I know the players appreciate it because it's heartfelt support.

"It was there long before we got into the Premiership and it's one of those things that making playing for Exeter Rugby Club very special. It's part of my aims and also that of the players to keep that bond strong because we want people to come and watch us and support us. We've done it well so far and going over to France is another chance to show that."
[/quote]

Is this game on TV?

I believe so, Pete, just not sure which channel - I'm sure Penfron will be on the case

Stade's side to face Exe:

15. Djibril Camara
14. Paul Sackey
13. Morgan Turinui
12. Paul Williams
11. Julien Arias
10. Felipe Contepomi
9. Julien Dupuy
1. Rodrigo Roncero
2. Dimitri Szarzewski
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Anton van Zyl
5. Pascal Pape
6. George Smith
7. Antoine Burban
8. Sergio Parisse (capt)

16. Laurent Sempere
17. Olivier Milloud
18. Stan Wright
19. Alexandre Flanquart
20. David Lyons
21. Pierre Rabadan
22. Jerome Fillol
23. Hugo Bonneval

Interesting to see George Smith in the Stade side. Back from Japan as a medical joker for them I believe.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Interesting to see George Smith in the Stade side. Back from Japan as a medical joker for them I believe.

Yes, I believe so, Pete - hopefully he's not had that physically tough of a time out there at the breakdown and will be less prepared for the contact area in the NH

Ozzy3213 wrote:Is this game on TV?

Yeah mate, Sky Sports 4. Come on you

Fairplay Exeter, I'm loving this

Unlucky Exeter. How did he miss a drop from right in front of the posts. Blew the game there!

Pitiful crowd, swathes of empty seats. sounded like there were more Chiefs fans!

Awful ref. Just awful. Cost us the game at the end. Where was the penalty!!!!!!!!!!

horrible end that, really gutted they had to lose it like that in the end, after they'd played their hearts out.

I forget sometimes how much knock out rugby can hurt

One drop goal away from victory. Gutted for them.
Some of the Exeter players looked knackered at the end when SF scored the decisive try.
Nevermind. They've had a fantastic season and it could be HEC for them very soon.

Happy dayz for us, we got some interesting calls, but SF won the game we have to take our game to the AP now and make sure of Heino rugby - no excuses

I was there, great tension if not the highest quality rugby ever seen. Exeter were unlucky (this from a Paris fan) - they played all the rugby in the final quarter although it was a well constructed SF try that won it in the end.

Anyone watching on TV care to explain why Contepomi got yellow and not red, and how the conversation went between Fitz and his AR? Looked like a punch to the head from where I was sitting, although I couldn't see if it connected.

The Paris crowd thought the ref was hopelessly against them, seems like the Exeter fans think he was against them. I suggest he had a reasonable game in challenging circumstances, but am prepared to admit one thing you don't judge nearly as well as on TV is how the ref is managing the game.

Mike, wondeful hospitality at Le Sauldre and afterwards at the Bodega in the stadium - thank you

Hey ASBO,

is today not a big anniversary for you ?

Mike Selig wrote:
The Paris crowd thought the ref was hopelessly against them, seems like the Exeter fans think he was against them. I suggest he had a reasonable game in challenging circumstances, but am prepared to admit one thing you don't judge nearly as well as on TV is how the ref is managing the game.

Watching as a neutral, and I didn't see the whole game, only the first half hour and last 20 minutes, I would say the referee had a shocker, particularly around the breakdown.

How he never awarded Exeter a penalty at the breakdown just before the Mieres drop goal attempt is just beyond me. Stade 13 was in from the side and there were 2 French players laying all over the ball. I think the Chiefs can rightly feel proud of their side and a little bit hard done by in all honesty.

You may have lost my beloved Chiefs but you have made a big statement this season, long may it continue.

Mike Selig wrote:I was there, great tension if not the highest quality rugby ever seen. Exeter were unlucky (this from a Paris fan) - they played all the rugby in the final quarter although it was a well constructed SF try that won it in the end.

Anyone watching on TV care to explain why Contepomi got yellow and not red, and how the conversation went between Fitz and his AR? Looked like a punch to the head from where I was sitting, although I couldn't see if it connected.

The Paris crowd thought the ref was hopelessly against them, seems like the Exeter fans think he was against them. I suggest he had a reasonable game in challenging circumstances, but am prepared to admit one thing you don't judge nearly as well as on TV is how the ref is managing the game.

I couldn't have the sound of as my wife was watching soaps (so I didn't hear the conversation), but it's a yellow at worst for me. They weren't really punches per se, but there's probably enough intent and he should know better than to react like that.

Very unlucky Chiefs.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Mike, wondeful hospitality at Le Sauldre and afterwards at the Bodega in the stadium - thank you

Glad to hear that. Chief fans were fantastic and we were more than a bit fortunate. All the best for the rest of the season.

I thought the Chiefs did really well.

In what has been the worst season in europe ever for English sides(and it's worring as they seem to be slumping), Ex have been a rare ray of light and are on the up. Good on them.

Yes very well done Chiefs .... With a half decent ref I think they would have won ...