Stade Français v Toulouse at the Stade de France on 19 December

Twelve years after their last night in Saint-Denis, Stade Français are going back, and once again Stade Toulousain will be the opposition.

The Paris club announced in September that it would take a Top 14 game to the country’s biggest stadium. On Monday it revealed the date and the opponent: Stade Toulousain, four-time reigning French champions, on Saturday 19 December at 9pm. In a statement, Stade Français promised “a great popular celebration”, with entertainment and a sound and light show.

The 2005 record still stands

The first game at the stadium took place on 15 October 2005. Under president Max Guazzini, Stade Français beat Toulouse 29-15 in front of 79,502 spectators, a record for a regular-season game in the French championship that still stands. Johnny Hallyday brought out the match ball, after concerts by Michel Delpech, Calogero and Florent Pagny.

The club went on to make the Stade de France a regular fixture: 28 games between 2005 and 2014, 27 in the Top 14 regular season and one in the European Cup. Toulouse were the most frequent opponents, nine times, and they were also there for the last one, a 27-27 draw on 22 March 2014. The game on 19 December will therefore be the tenth meeting between the two clubs in Saint-Denis.

A week after South Africa

The fixture list does not help Stade Toulousain. The previous Saturday, they play round two of the Champions Cup in Johannesburg against the Lions. Stade Français wanted a Saturday night slot to attract families, which leaves Toulouse seven days between the two games.

Tickets went on sale to season-ticket holders on Monday and open to the general public from Thursday 8 October. Before then, ninth-placed Stade Français host Montpellier on Saturday in round six.