RYAN SMITH IN MONTAUBAN TEAM THAT DEFEATS STADE FRANCAIS TO RETURN INTO TOP QUARTER OF T14 TABLE (From the Montauban website)  24th December 2007

On Saturday 22nd December 2007, Ryan Smith played in the centres for Montauban as they defeated powerhouse Stade Francais by 24 - 16. The score at the half was 17 - 9.

"No, nothing has changed everything is on track," was the refrain in Montauban in the 1970's. Then in 2006, Montauban defeated Stade Francais. In 2006, Sapiac stadium enjoyed a wonderful Christmas present (victory against Bourgoin.)  In 2006, there was Santa Claus to keep the children entertained. In 2006, Sapiac stadium was full to the rafters...no nothing has changed ... everything is on track. 

As in 2006, we hope that the New Year will arrive with even more success. The only thing that has changed are the renovations to Sapiac stadium. Montauban is a proud Club and the Parisiens did not see that.
 

However, to defeat Stade Francais who had come to win, the Montauban "Green and Blacks" forwards had to battle for all 80 minutes. You only had to look in the changing room: The broken nose of Pablo Henn, "this was a very hard fought battle against an opponent that was hard to out maneuveur. We won because we have been concentrating on this victory. It is very good for us."

Several metres away, with a three days growth of beard, captain Sebastien Fauque added, “We needed courage and heart. I never doubted because we have a formidable squad who are close to each other”. On his side, the experienced Marc Raynaud explained.  “We wanted to win at all costs to reassure ourselves after we failed to deliver at Auch”.

Smiling, Yannick Caballero exclaimed: “The crowd carried us. It's fabulous. This will encourage us to go even further.” 

In the noisy celebrations of the victory which put Montauban in the top quarter of the T 14 Championship table, coach Laurent Travers remains steadfast to his long term goals. "Our aim has not changed. There are still 21 games to play. It would show a lack of humility and reality to think that we have surpassed our goal of staying up in the League.

Several metres away hundreds of young women and children were having their photos taken with some of the Gods of the stadium  Juan-Martin Hernandez, Dimitri Szarzewski and others. Others were being asked for photos and autographs, and every request was accepted. That is the beauty of Rugby  when you play so well in this ambience and with this respect.