Cheika returns to Paris with a point to prove

alongside his national team duties – earlier this year.

But during his two-year stay with Stade, the then-troubled Parisians fail to qualify for the European Cup, finishing 11th and seventh, and lose the 2011 European Challenge Cup final to Harlequins 19-18.

There were mitigating circumstances as Stade were in turmoil and on the brink of financial collapse during his tenure, being saved only when Thomas Savare bought out Max Guazzini in the 2011 offseason. But Cheika and Savare did not see eye to eye and a year later the Australian headed home, fired.

He acknowledges he would take satisfaction from gaining a victory on Parisian soil, although he insists revenge is not on his mind.

“For sure, you’d be lying if you said otherwise, having played and coached here.

“A lot of good people, connections or friends I’ve visited or spoken to, who would definitely be my friends during this week, won’t be there on Saturday night because they’ll be cheering for their home team.

“It’s always a good bit of niggle when you’ve been somewhere and then you come back and go against them.

“The next couple of weeks are going to be good for me here and in Ireland, where I spent big parts of my life.

“Normally the Stade de France is the home ground for Stade Francais… for three or four games a year, so it’s going to be a different feeling this year.

“I don’t think there are going to be many people cheering for us, but it’s just a matter of adapting to that, being in the cauldron, and enjoying it.”

Cheika doesn’t have hard feelings, though, and is pragmatic when he looks back at his time in the French capital.

“It’s not like Ireland or Australia where the federation manages the teams. In France, when someone puts money from his own pocket, which he’s worked hard for, he has the right to do as he likes.”

He was friends with Stade coach Gonzalo Quesada.

“Many players I recruited are still there, so I’d be the first to wish that they qualify for the play-offs and win the title. Someone who feels like taking revenge doesn’t understand life.”

Cheika conceded that he had difficulties with some people in the Stade camp during his tenure.

“There was a change in method – a method more Anglo-Saxon – and maybe that was a mistake.

“But that was my method and if the players weren’t happy, they could always come to me to talk about it. But they went above my head and the management link was broken.”

Nevertheless, Cheika says the experience was positive.

“Controlling a situation that is beyond your control was an enriching experience. We were training despite not being sure we would still be in the Top 14 the next season (because of the club’s going bust).

“It’s probably the only time in my career where I really felt the pressure because it had consequences for people’s lives.” – Sapa-AFP