Gloucester's hopes of continuing their excellent domestic form on the European
stage came unstuck in dramatic fashion at Stade Jean Bouin.
The Cherry and Whites led 11-10 at half-time and looked more than capable of
victory in the shadow of the Parc des Princes.
But the home side surged ahead in the second half and Gloucester had no answer
when the going got really tough.
However, for watching England coach Andy Robinson there was the consolation of
seeing star prop Phil Vickery come through 70 minutes of this pulsating
encounter.
Vickery withstood everything the Stade Francais front row could throw at him.
And, having lasted 20 minutes and 30 minutes respectively in his two previous
outings this season as he sought rehabilitation from back surgery, it was only
stamina - or the lack of it - that forced Vickery to make way for Gary Powell.
The visitors matched the home side in the early stages, taking the lead in the
22nd minute as James Forrester galloped over from 30 metres out.
The opening exchanges were very even and the home side had the first
opportunities to score.
Fly-half David Skrela failed with a drop goal attempt after five minutes but
another five minutes later he got his side on to the scoreboard with a repeat
effort.
After 13 minutes, Henry Paul drew Gloucester level and the centre then
launched the move that ended with Forrester's score.
Former Richmond and Bristol scrum-half Agustin Pichot started Stade Francais'
fight back with the first of his two close-range tries which was converted by
Skrela.
But a 35th-minute penalty from Paul gave Gloucester the narrowest of half-time
leads.
Paul furthered his side's cause with another penalty seven minutes after the
break but that pushed the home side into their best period of the game.
French international prop Sylvain Marconnet emerged from a pile of bodies to
triumphantly claim the first of his two second-half tries 10 minutes after the
break.
Gloucester full-back Jon Goodridge charged down a Skrela conversion attempt
but the home fly-half added a penalty and conversion to Pichot's second try to
help send his side on the way to victory.
Paul struck back with his fourth penalty but from there on in it was almost
one-way traffic as Marconnet claimed his second try.
Italian centre Mirco Bergamasco charged straight through the heart of the
Gloucester defence 29 minutes into the second half and Skrela converted.
However, director of rugby Nigel Melville will have been proud of his side's
late comeback that brought two tries for eye-catching wing James
Simpson-Daniel.
Paul converted both those scores but it was too little too late for the west
country men.
Teams:
Stade Francais: Dominici, Arias, Glas, M. Bergamasco,
M. Bergamasco, Skrela, Pichot, Roncero, Blin, Marconnet,
Auradou, James, Rabadan, Jechoux, Sowerby.
Replacements: Filol for Pichot (75), Lemoine for Roncero (47),
Moni for Jechoux (67).
Not Used: Castola, Quesada, Mahe.
Tries: Pichot 2, Marconnet 2, M. Bergamasco.
Cons: Skrela 4.
Pens: Skrela.
Drop Goals: Skrela.
Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Fanolua, Paul, Simpson-Daniel,
McRae, Gomarsall, Bezuidenhout, Azam, Vickery, Eustace, Brown,
Boer, Hazell, Forrester.
Replacements: Mauger for Goodridge (72),
Sigley for Bezuidenhout (54), Fortey for Azam (56),
Buxton for Brown (55).
Not Used: Powell, Balding, Page.
Tries: Forrester, Simpson-Daniel 2.
Cons: Paul 2.
Pens: McRae, Paul 3.
Att: 10,000
Ref: A Rolland (Ireland).
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