Rugby - Stade Francais claim first European title

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Stade Francais ran in two opportunist second-half tries to overpower Gloucester 25-17 in the Challenge Cup final on Friday and claim their first European title.

Rugby - Stade Francais claim first European title

(Reuters)





The French side weathered a strong Gloucester start to reach the interval at 10-10 and Stade centres Jonathan Danty and Geoffrey Doumayrou crossed the line to secure a deserved victory for their team.

England winger Jonny May gave Gloucester an early lead when he intercepted a pass before scorching to the line, but Italy number eight Sergio Parisse took advantage of a knockback close to the line to cross for Stade.

Another interception allowed Danty to run in a try midway through the second half and Doumayrou showed quick feet to scamper over for a brilliant individual score that gave Stade a cushion.

Flanker Ross Moriarty grabbed a late consolation try for Gloucester who won the Challenge Cup in 2006 and 2015.

"We have come through a very difficult season in Paris but this team have come through it. I'm very proud of the team," Parisse told Sky Sports.

"We tried to follow our philosophy. It wasn't easy because Gloucester put us under pressure.

"Maybe we didn't play our best game, but congratulations to the boys."





(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by Ken Ferris)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world