Former Heineken Cup winners Leicester got their campaign off to a losing start at the Stade Jean Bouin as they fell to French champions Stade Francais.

The defeat occurred just 100 metres away at the Parc des Princes back in 2001 that Tigers clinched the trophy for the first time in their history.

But there was to be no repeat of that performance this time as a try in each half from the hosts as well as 15 points from the boot of veteran fly-half Diego Dominguez, saw them home safely.

Centre Brian Liebenberg bashed a hole in the midfield but was stopped in his tracks by opposite number Daryl Gibson, while full-back Sam Vesty and right-wing Neil Baxter both defused cross-field attacks.

Stade Francais were held up over the line following a rolling maul after Remy Martin had broken well, and they finally got a reward for their pressure when Dominguez slotted an easy penalty from in front of the posts.

The former Italy international then added another from near the halfway line to double his side's lead and moments later, was lining up a conversion after the opening try of the match.

It came after a winding run from Argentinian scrum-half Agustin Pichot who got to within 10 metres of the line before chipping ahead.

Right-wing Thomas Lombard scrambled to touch the ball down before Dominguez converted brilliantly from out wide.

With the game having finally sprung to life, Leicester got in on the try scoring when Vesty crossed the line following a superb break from Gibson with Ollie Smith off-loading well out of the tackle.

There was just time before the half-time whistle for Dominguez to strike a third penalty as the hosts went into the break at 16-5 to the good.

As the second half started, he finally missed a shot at the posts with a penalty while full-back Ignacio Corleto fell short with a long-range drop goal.

The hosts finally managed to extend their lead when Liebenberg's persistence was rewarded.

He chased his own downfield kick despite Leicester wing John Holtby having a head start. When Holtby fumbled the ball on his own line as he slid to pick it up, Liebenberg dived on the loose ball, Dominguez converting.

The visitors hit back immediately with Ramiro Pez stepping off his right foot, cutting through the defence from the 22 after Dominguez slipped, sprinting unopposed to the try-line before converting his own touchdown. Soon after he added a penalty to move Leicester within eight points.

Dominguez's fourth penalty saw Stade Francais edge further ahead as the rain came down with Corleto rattling the woodwork with a late long-range drop goal.

Teams

Stade Francais: Corleto, Lombard, Henandez, Liebenberg, M. Bergamasco, Dominguez, Pichot, Marconnet, August, Lemoine, Auradou, Marchois, Moni, Martin, Rabadan.

Replacements: De Villiers for Lemoine (61), M. Bergamasco for Moni (61).

Not Used: Blin, Bado, Poulain, Skrela, Vass.

Tries: Lombard, Liebenberg.

Cons: Dominguez 2.

Pens: Dominguez 4.

Leicester: Vesty, Baxter, Smith, Gibson, Holtby, Pez, Healey, Rowntree, Richards, White, M. Johnson, L. Deacon, Corry, Back, Balding.

Replacements: F. Tuilagi for Holtby (72), West for Richards (53), H. Tuilagi for Corry (75), Moody for Balding (54).

Not Used: Morris, Tierney, Gelderbloom.

Tries: Vesty, Pez.

Cons: Pez.

Pens: Pez.

Att: 11,848

Ref: A Lewis (IRFU).