Wallabies halfback Will Genia’s Stade Francais ran in two opportunist second-half tries to overpower Gloucester 25-17 in the Challenge Cup final and claim their first European rugby title.
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 at Murrayfield.
England winger Jonny May gave Gloucester an early lead when he intercepted a pass before scorching to the line, but Italy No.8 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.”
Bakkies
Guest
They still have a core from Devon and Cornwall. The players they recruit from elsewhere aren't absolute stars. Most of the Aussies have or are moving on
Dan in Devon
Guest
They have about 10 Aussie players plus others from other clubs.
Bakkies
Guest
He was nothing special according to you. He did well considering he played for a terrible team
Bakkies
Guest
Exeter are the anti Waratahs. Built their success the right way, stuck to their roots and there is no reason to hate them. Worcester are the closest to the Waratahs in the AP. Overrated coaches, try to buy success, Dad's Army and under achieve.
rebel
Guest
That's how I read it also.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Another numpty who's never watched European rugby.
riddler
Guest
yep bakkies.. he hasn't been that strong to be fair throughout the season..
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
That's actually a good rugby story a Fijian rugby player, performing and earning a living - who is representing his country
adastra32
Guest
Mumm did well at Exeter - I think "excelled" is over-egging it. Houston did OK at Bath without ever being stellar. Exeter is by all accounts an excellent team environment, really well-led and pretty successful without spending megabucks. Aussies seem to like it because quite a few end up there. As for your armchair views on European Cup vs. Super rugby....billhooks.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
It's a 'European title' in a competition set-up for those not good enough to qualify for the main European Cup. In England and France that means the teams that finished outside the top 6 in their leagues last year.
Paul
Guest
Hugh Pyle was nothing special while here. So he's improved? Big deal! Congratulations to him.
Bakkies
Guest
It isn't easier. A lot more physical and you have to get through a 10 month season.
Bakkies
Guest
That's just the Rebels. The Force have ignored a lot of young players or didn't give them the platform to entice them to stay. Paris also had David Lyons who only retired recently. For years the Wallabies used the unreliable Palu at 8 basically because there was no one else.
Bakkies
Guest
Genia was very ropey in this game. A few times he was caught by the Gloucester back row taking too long to pass the ball.
riddler
Guest
fionn.. i said last season that the biggest loss for the reds would be holmes.. gill also but by far we would miss holmes.. a great unsung quality player.. am a big fan of the guy..
AndyS
Guest
The fundamental stupidity of cutting away an entire region of grassroots in the hope it will improve the grassroots.
riddler
Guest
leroy houston never looked that good at bath.. played well but nothing special. players like morgan for gloucester always showed the difference in abilities..
Fionn
Guest
Pirates and Gepetto, Cheika never stops looking at Europe for players, he just targets the wrong players. He brings back overrated has-beens like Mumm, or players who brought Aus rugby in disrepute and then betrayed it after being offered a second chance, like Beale; while ignoring guys like Holmes, Higgers, Fardy and White who still had a lot to contribute to Australian rugby. Selection and talent sporting has always been one of Cheika's greatest weaknesses. If he's retained as coach then we need a selection panel.
DaveR
Guest
If you look at Stade Francais, apart from Will Genia you have High Pyle (Rebels), Paul Alo-Emile (Rebels), and Waisea Nyacalevu (Melbourne Rugby). Certainly Pyle and Alo-Emile could have been considered for Wallabies, and Waisea - he never even made the Rebels. Add to that Luke Jones at Bordeaux and Liam Gill at Toulon and you can see some of the problems for Super Rubgy.
DaveR
Guest
Agreed Rebellion, nothing wrong with the feeder system in the VRU and schools program, but the internal abilities of Rebels management often leave a lot to be desired. The current season has been a disaster on the injuries front, with a big list already not available before round 1. All injured in early season training and pre-season. Almost a carbon copy of 2016 - but guess what - no internal inquiry on what is wrong in the training and conditioning programs. The ARU f-up is a great smokescreen for internal problems.