RED-HOT ZEBO PUMPED FOR DERBY AGAINST O’CONNELL’S STADE

SIMON ZEBO will go into the first Paris derby clash against Paul O’Connell’s Stade Francais next Sunday in red-hot form after scoring a brace of tries on Saturday night in Racing 92’s 27-11 win over champions Castres. It’s the first time that Zebo has scored four weeks in a row and he’s now the second leading try-scorer in the Top 14 this season — Stade Francais’ Gael Fickou is leading the way having scored a brace for the third week in a row in their 25-13 win away to Simon Mannix’s Pau. Zebo has scored four times in a row for Munster twice, in 2013-14 and 2015-16, but those were over a couple of months. The 28-year old will hope to continue that scoring streak when he makes the short journey across Paris next Sunday to take on O’Connell’s side at Stade Jean Bouin. ‘I definitely wasn’t expecting him to follow me to Paris but it’s a great move for Paul. He’s a very intelligent guy and he knows what he needs to do as a coach to be the best he can,’ said Zebo (right)., ‘So, to experience a new culture and new scenery is bound to help.’ Paddy Jackson converted two of Perpignan’s three tries and added a penalty but they remain rooted to the bottom after going down 31-22 away to fellow relegation candidates Grenoble. Bordeaux-Begles, who will visit the Sportsground for the opening round of the European Challenge Cup next month, ended Clermont Auvergne’s winning start when they produced a shock 2319 triumph at home. Meanwhile, Stuart Olding, who was selected as Brive’s player of the month for August, continued his good form when he scored the only try of the game as they boosted their promotion hopes by going within two points of the top of the PRO D2 with an 119 win away to Vannes.