Stade Français

One to watch: Mark Gasnier

- 2008/9 Season preview -

Club details

Stade Jean Bouin

20-40, avenue du Général Sarrail

75016 Paris

Stadium capacity: Jean Bouin: 12,000 / Stade de France: 80,000

Website: www.stade.fr

Founded: 1883

Last time around: 3rd As the defending champions, Stade Français flattered to deceive for most of last season and finally came a cropper for good in the semi-finals against Toulouse. Unable to get past the group stages of the Heineken Cup, the 2007/8 season will largely go down as an unsuccessful one for the Parisian giants. It all came to a head with the emotional departure of coach Fabien Galthié, who by his own admission was out of ideas as the club's progress stagnated.

This time? Anything less than a semi-final berth in the Top 14 will be seen as a massive failure in the French capital. They have once again been drawn in the same group as Harlequins in the Heineken Cup but with a new coach an couple of fresh imports a place in the play-offs is more than within their reach. Formidable hosts in Paris, they will need to improve their way form to challenge Europe's best.

Coach: Top of the list of new imports is Australian Ewen McKenzie. The former Wallaby front row and Waratahs coach brings with him a wealth of experience, especially under the ELVs. The transition to the McKenzie era will be smoothed by the aid of former player Christophe Dominici who will look after the backs while Fabrice Landreau maintains his role as forwards coach.

One to watch: Rugby League convert Mark Gasnier is expected to make a big impact, both literally and figuratively, especially under the new laws. Whether he is able to live up to the hype surrounding his arrival in the French capital remains to be seen. If converting from one code to another was not difficult enough he's added the extra change of adapting to a new culture, a new club and new language. The fact that his coach is a fellow Aussie might help.

Final 2008/9 league position prediction: 4th

In: Robins Tchale-Watchou (lock, Auch), Pierre Vigouroux (lock, Clermont), Noel Oelschig (scrum-half, Cheetahs), Pierre Correia (prop, Albi), David Auradou (loose forward, Métro Racing), Laurent Sempéré (hooker, Racing-Métro), Dave Vainqueur (wing, Agen), Mark Gasnier (centre, Saint George Illawarra), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (flanker, London Irish).

Out: Jérôme Fillol (scrum-half, Racing-Métro), Fabien Galthié (coach), Christophe Dominici (wing, retired, coach), David Skrela (fly-half, Toulouse), Pieter de Villiers (prop, retired), Boela du Plooy (lock, retired), Kevin Burgaud (wing, La Rochelle), Said Hirèche (loose forward, Oyonnax), Benoît Paillaugue (fly-half, Auch), Rémy Martin (loose forward, Bayonne), Christian Day (lock, Northampton), Damien Weber (prop, Lyon), Cliff Milton (lock, retired).

Colours: Blue and Pink

Travel connections: Stade Jean Bouin is opposite the Parc des Princes. The easiest way to get there is via the Metro (under ground). Metro: Porte d'Auteuil - line 10 or Metro: Porte de Saint-Cloud - line 9