Tony Ensor's last-gasp try help Stade Francais edge out London Irish 20-26

London Irish 20-26 Stade Francais, Madejski Stadium
Scorecard

Stade Francais remain in contention for the play-off as fullback Tony Ensor's last-gasp try helped them complete a 20-26 victory over London Irish in their European Rugby Challenge Cup face-off at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Stade Francais had an early setback when Hugh Pyle was replaced in the fourth minute by Zurab Zhvania. Despite the setback, Romain Martial crossed over in the 15th minute that wasn't converted to get them to a 0-5 lead.

London Irish finally managed to break the shackles with a touchdown from Scott Steele in the 25th minute while Greig Tonks added a conversion and a penalty to make it 10-5 at half time.

The home side gathered momentum as they were awarded a penalty try at the start of the second half but the French side bounced back through a Heinke van der Merwe try and former London Irish fly-half Shane Geraghty's conversion brought the visitors within three points.

Stade Francais soon reclaimed their lead when Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu went past the line but Tonks penalty in the 77th minute meant London Irish had a slender 20-19 lead.

As the game headed for the closing stage, Ensor scored the decisive try in the 80th minute that was improved by Plisson to complete a thrilling seven point victory for Stade Francais.