Stade Fr……………24 Benetton………… 14

STADE Francais produced a stunning second half to overcome a resilient Benetton at the Stade Jean-Bouin on Friday. In a turgid first period, it was the visitors who controlled the scoreboard with three penalties from the boot of Jacob Umaga, with Léo Barré slotting a solo penalty in reply.

The game turned ten minutes into the second half when a Benetton kick found the hands of Nadir Megdoud in his own half. The wing lofted the ball over the Italians' defensive line, catching his own kick and dissecting two would-be tacklers to dot down under the posts.

Benetton re-took the lead on the hour mark on the back of a rolling maul from a well-won line-out, as hooker Siua Maile powered over from close range to put the visitors up 14-10.

But the lead lasted a mere three minutes as centre Jeremy Ward broke down the right flank to touch down in the corner, with Barré for the second time on hand to add the extras.

Winger Lester Etien punctuated the victory for the 2017 Challenge Cup winners in the final minute of the contest, touching down in the left corner to complete the victory, with Barré again perfect from the tee.