FRENCH COLUMN
DAVID BARNES

Stade Francais, so recently facing extinction in a merger with Racing, have become a key element in the fixture wrangle dividing French rugby. By beating Bayonne 32-16 yesterday and thus sending them down, they ensured their own survival which had been so drastically threatened without the knowledge of their players.
Now, however, begins another furore over a match postponed during that crisis which could have a major influence on matters higher up the table.
They have a Challenge Cup semi against Bath in a fortnight, just four days after the League have decreed...