PARIS (Planet Rugby/Pacific Media Watch): Stade Français coach Gonzalo Quesada told his players to "show a state of mind that makes Paris proud" ahead of Friday's big Top 14 49-13 rugby union win over Castres.
The Parisian club returned to the summit of the Top 14 standings thanks to a bonus-point 49-13 win over last year's finalists in an emotional night in the French capital.
Inspirational skipper Sergio Parisse led the charge, scoring two of his team's six tries, as Stade Français gave Paris something to smile about in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre on Wednesday and the double hostage drama of earlier in the day.
Following a minute's silence before kick off, which saw both sides pay tribute to the victims by wearing "nous sommes tous Charlie" t-shirts, the crowd joined in the spirit with a resounding and emotional rendition of La Marseillaise as the game got underway.
"We were all affected by what we saw," said Quesada.
"The players were saddened and stressed but agreed that it was necessary to play the game and represent the city of Paris. I asked myself all afternoon whether we should play or not.
"I told the players that we should be privileged that people were coming to the stadium. We had to show a state of mind that makes Paris proud."
Tries from Fiji wing Waisea Nayacalevu, centre Jonathan Danty, a double from captain Parisse and two penalty tries earned by the home scrum ensured Stade took the maximum five points.
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