Stade Francais clinch maiden Challenge Cup title after defeating Gloucester 17-25

Gloucester Rugby 17-25 Stade Francais, Murrayfield Stadium
Scorecard

Stade Francais finally managed to win an European competition as they came from behind to defeat Gloucester Rugby 17-25 in the final of the Challenge Cup at Murrayfield Stadium on Friday.

Jonny May got Gloucester off the mark with a 13th minute try while Billy Burns added a conversion and followed it up with a penalty to make it 10-0 in favour of the Kingsholm outfit.

Having endured a tough season off the pitch, Stade Francais were motivated to end the season on the high as seen with skipper Sergio Parisse, who strolled past the post in the 31st minute and Jules Plisson's extra and a penalty meant the scores were levelled at half time.

Gloucester did well to ensure they did not suffer further loss after skipper Willi Heinz was sin-binned in the 32nd minute.

After a calm 15 minutes at the start of the second half, centre Jonathan Danty gave Stade Francais advantage with his touchdown in the 56th minute and the lead for the Top 14 side soon swelled to 15 points after Geoffrey Doumayrou danced past the post in the 70th minute along with a conversion and a three pointer from replacement fly-half Morne Steyn.

Even though, Ross Moriarty tried to keep Gloucester in the race with a 78th minute try, they succumbed to a eight point defeat, thereby missing on the opportunity to keep their Champions Cup hope alive.

This was also Greig Laidlaw's last outing for Gloucester as the Scotland skipper is set to switch to Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne next season.