Success on the menu for Stade

Next up for the Paris club is the prospect of a full Stade de France for their meeting with Harlequins on Saturday, 6 December - and the renewal of an old rivalry with Dean Richards, the Quins' Director of Rugby.

Richards was at the helm when Leicester Tigers dominated European rugby at the turn of the millennium and was in charge of the team that went to Paris for the 2001 final and denied Stade the silverware they so desperately seek.

Winning the Heineken Cup has become the number one priority for Stade, the beaten finalists again in 2005.

Back in 2001 Richards' Tigers snatched a dramatic win thanks to a late Leon Lloyd try and then the goal kicking of Toulouse's Frederic Michalak in extra time of the 2005 final means Stade are still waiting to taste the ultimate Heineken Cup success.



And at a joint Press conference in Paris today(Tuesday, 25 November) Stade captain Sergio Parisse summed up the mood of the side when he said: "Every year we play to win. We have not been able to win this tournament yet, but at the start of every season we always intend to put in 100 per cent.

"We have a much stronger squad this season but we are also in a tough Pool.

"Harlequins are a very good side and, although we are going to thoroughly enjoy the event at Stade de France, we know the most important thing is to win the game."

Richards echoed those sentiments, adding: "This is going to be a fantastic occasion. I have certainly never been part of such a spectacle but we have to put that to one side and concentrate on the match."

The Quins coach was referring to the lavish display of entertainment that Max Guazzini, the Stade president, has organised for the Round 3 meeting at the home of the French national team.

There will be Moulin Rouge dancers, a medieval-style joust, 50 gymnasts, a troupe of cheerleaders and over 20,000 flags will be handed to the fans ahead of kick-off.