JAMES HARRINGTON
FRENCH COLUMN

IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever it might be, something involving snowflakes, perhaps, or frosts – that’s the situation at Stade Francais right now.
Three wins in their first nine matches; upheaval in the coaching set-up, with ex-head coach Karim Ghezal replaced by Paul Gustard; a misfiring attack – even after putting on 40 points last weekend, they remain the fourth-worst in the Top 14; an uncertain defence – the third wo...