Gustard to stay at Stade after all

So, Paul Gustard will remain at Stade Francais next season after all despite being to be released from the final year of his contract to join Premiership side Leicester.

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Last weekend, club owner Hans-Peter Wild made it perfectly clear that because at Wellird Road had a fight on their hands if they wanted to prise Gustard out of Stade Jean Bouin. “The players would be very disappointed [if he left],” he said prior to watching his team beat Bayonne last weekend. “He’s a great coach, he gets along well with everyone. Since he’s been in charge, we’ve been winning… I want him to stay.”

Capri-Sun King Wild had given himself until after the Bayonne game before making a decision. On Monday, Gustard — now with the title of Stade’s sporting director or told players that he would see out his contract at Stade Jean Bouin, which runs to the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

It was reported that Dr Wild was ready to offer him a compact extension that would keep him in Paris for another year, but Gustard told Midi Olympique this week: “The length of my contract and my situation in Paris remain unchanged.”

He made it clear that his now put-off desire to returning England was for personal, family reasons. But his comment — in an interview filled with carefully-worded answers — hides a clear hint of can-kicking.

At worst Dr Wild has bought himself several months coaching grace. And it seems highly unlikely that he won’t try to tie Gustard to a new deal in that time.