Storming Stade comeback seals Challenge Cup triumph

Stade Francais battled back from 10-0 down to break their European trophy drought with a 25-17 success over Gloucester at Murrayfield.

Gonzalo Quesada’s men looked set to extend the club’s run of four defeats in continental finals, but dug deep to stun their Premiership opponents in the European Challenge Cup final.

Stade, who missed out on a Top 14 play-off place, initially failed to live up to their status as favourites, falling behind to Jonny May’s try.

Billy Burns added the extras and then kicked a penalty to cap a fine five-minute spell for David Humphreys’ side.

24,594 in attendance for our 2017 Challenge Cup final #FinalsEdinburgh2017 pic.twitter.com/6nFWQ8cXOD

— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) May 12, 2017

But all that work was undone just as quickly before the interval, with Jules Plisson’s penalty the catalyst.

Italy legend Sergio Parisse crashed over and Plisson converted to level it up, with second-half scores from Geoffrey Doumayrou and Jonathan Danty putting Stade firmly in control.

Ross Moriarty reduced the deficit, but it came too late for Gloucester, whose defeat ensured Northampton Saints will compete in the Champions Cup play-off semi-finals against Connacht.