Stade Français 2010/11 preview

Ahead of the new Top 14 season, we examine each club's prospects: Here we take a closer look at Parisian glamour club Stade Français.

New coach, new stadium and a fresh start for 13-time champions

Stade Français endured a nightmare 2009/10 season as they missed out on the play-offs and qualification for the Heineken Cup. A spate of injuries and suspensions (three for eye gouging) made a hard job even harder for coaches Ewen McKenzie - who was given his marching orders mid-season - and Jacques Delmas - whose contract was not extended. However this season sees a new coach, a new stadium and a fresh start for the 13-time champions. Despite a cut in their budget (one of only two clubs in the Top 14 to do so) the Parisian giants are looking to start from square one. Some big names have left - like iconic prop Sylvain Marconnet - but owner Max Guazzini has still provided his club with the third biggest budget in the league. The Amlin Challenge Cup will be used to regain some confidence and perhaps even some silverware. Making the Top 14 play-offs is a non-negotiable.

Coach

Heineken Cup-winning coach Michael Cheika arrives from Leinster with the task of resurrecting one of Europe's biggest clubs. The Australian is no stranger to France having played three season in Castres and Paris. Cheika likes to attack and has the players at his disposal to have the fans on their feet.

Captain

After a year plagued by injury and suspension, Italy skipper Sergio Parisse will lead the men in Pink in his sixth season in Paris. One of the world's best loose forwards, Parisse will be assisted by vice-captains Dimitri Szarzewski and Julien Dupuy.

One to watch

With his off-field problems now firmly behind him, Mathieu Bastareaud can concentrate on doing what he does best: running over people at high pace. Still only 21, France's first-choice outside centre has a bright future.

Home ground

With their usual home, Stade Jean Bouin, undergoing an extensive face-lift the club will use Paris' second biggest stadium, Stade Charléty, in the 13th arrondissement. With a capacity of 20 000, it's bigger than Jean Bouin which only held 12 000. For bigger games (against Toulouse, Clermont or Perpignan) the 80 000-seater Stade de France, in St Denis to the North of the city, is used.

Transfers

In: Michael Cheika (Leinster, coach), Martin Rodriguez Gurruchaga (Atlético del Rosario), Gonzalo Tiesi (Harlequins), Goderdzi Chvelidze (Montauban).
Out:: Geoffroy Messina (Toulon), Benjamin Kayser (Castres), Marc Gasnier (Australia), Mirco Bergamasco (Racing-Métro 92), Sylvain Marconnet (Biarritz), Jacques Delmas (coach), Mathieu Blin (retired), Pierre Vigouroux (Lyon), Ignacio Mieres.