Racing 92’s Seniors went through a blank 2024-2025 season. But that only applies to the men. For the women, it is another story entirely. Nothing and nobody in Fédérale 1 could stop the sky-blue and white tornado sweeping everything away in its path. After a regular season with a 100% record, with only one win falling short of a bonus point, the Paris-region side carried on their solo run in the play-offs, with some very telling scorelines.

A smiling supporter in a sun hat holds up a hand-drawn sign at the edge of the pitch showing a "1", a wine glass and a rugby ball

56-0 in the last 16, 60-3 in the quarter-final, 65-7 in the semi… nothing but hidings before turning up in Auch on 31 May for the final step towards the crown. Under a scorching sun, club blazers on for the bravest and music blasting out of the speakers, the Racing Ladies made a striking entrance into a red-hot Stade Jacques-Fouroux for the women’s finals.

There to welcome them were Christophe Mombet, president of Racing’s amateur rugby section, but also Nathalie, Thierry and the handful of aficionados from the Colombes Ciel et Blanc association, the most faithful of the faithful at home and away. Much to their delight: “It’s nothing but happiness, admitted matriarch Nathalie in the video at the top of this article. Unbeaten from the start, they have given us fantastic matches. (…) Women’s rugby is a beautiful thing to watch and once you have seen a match, you’re hooked!”

Diversity and pride: “We all come from a bit of everywhere and we complement each other”

Up against Colomiers, captain Marion Novello’s team-mates quickly pulled clear before going through a flat spell in the second half, Not enough to threaten a win that was almost written in advance, narrower than the previous ones (29-21) but the most important of the lot.

The one that opens the doors of Elite 2 to them, the antechamber of the very best of French women’s rugby. A promotion the Hauts-de-Seine club had set its heart on, giving itself the means to match its ambitions by going after the talents of the département along with a few reinforcements from more upmarket clubs.

A successful blend, in the image of a squad drawn from different backgrounds but which knew how to pull together to earn promotion in style. “It’s our diversity, said full-back Asma Assoumane to our microphone after the match. We all come from a bit of everywhere and we complement each other. Everyone brings her own qualities and skills, we manage to make a good mix and I wouldn’t change team for anything in the world. I love them with all my heart!” A cry of love that sums up all the strength of a team already ready to take the big step awaiting it in Élite 2.