Seven-try Stade Francais ends Cardiff Blues' Champions Cup hopes

by The TRU Team Friday 19 May 2017

Wales international Alex Cuthbert could not help Cardiff avoid a heavy defeat in Paris

©PA

Stade Francais 46-21 Cardiff Blues, Stade Jean Bouin
Scorecard

Stade Francais came up with a dominant second half performance where they amassed six tries as they completed a 46-21 victory at Stade Jean Bouin on Friday to keep their chances of qualifying to European Champions Cup alive.

Stade Francais will now face the winner of second semi-final between between Northampton and Connacht on 26th May while Cardiff Blues will continue in the European Challenge Cup next season as well.

Fly-half Morne Steyn got Stade Francais off the mark with a ninth minute penalty but Macauley Cook and Nick Williams crossed over for the Blues within a span of three minutes while Gareth Anscombe added conversions on both the occasions to claim a 11 point lead for the visitors.

Wing Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu scored the opening try for Stade Francais and provided some relief as well as they cut down the trail to four points leading into half time.

The home side took full control of the game and showed more intent in the second half with touchdowns from Giorgi Melikidze (41'), Mathieu De Giovanni (49'), Sekou Macalou (58' and 66'), Laurent Panis (69), Clement Daguin (74') while Steyn added three conversions as Stade Francais went on to pile up 46 points.

Cardiff Blues succumbed to the pressure exerted by Stade Francais and their only response in the final 40 minutes came from the second try from Cook as they lost the encounter by a massive 25-point margin.