Back in the Champions Cup: Stade Français Paris
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Stade Français Paris return to the Heineken Champions Cup in 2023/24 after spending this season in the EPCR Challenge Cup, bowing out at Emirates Lions in the Round of 16.
The TOP 14 side have never claimed EPCR’s top prize, but they have enjoyed some strong campaigns throughout their history, three of which we have recalled here.
1998/99: Semi-finals
Stade Français reached the last four in their maiden Heineken Cup season, winning five games from six in Pool A, which featured Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Leinster Rugby and Scarlets.
A crushing 71-14 home victory over Pontypridd followed in the quarter-finals, setting up a semi-final trip to Ulster Rugby, but the French outfit went down 33-27 in a pulsating contest in front of 20,000 fans in Belfast.
2000/01: Runners-up
Stade Français went one better two years later as they reached the final for the first time, securing five wins from six again in the pool stage as they faced off against L’Aquila, Swansea and Wasps.
They dispatched of domestic rivals Section Paloise at home in the quarter-finals before edging Munster Rugby 16-15 at the Stadium Nord, Cliff Mytton scoring the decisive try.
That booked a final against Leicester Tigers in Paris, but the English team claimed a 34-30 victory at the Parc des Princes, Stade Français squandering a 15-9 half-time lead as Diego Dominguez’s 30 points from tee proved in vain.
2004/05: Runners-up
Stade Français reached a second final in five years in 2004/05, navigating Pool 6 as they recorded five wins from six in home and away clashes with Gloucester Rugby, Cardiff and Ulster.
That secured home ties in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the hosts cruised past Newcastle Falcons (48-8) before scraping a 20-17 success against Biarritz Olympique thanks to Christophe Dominici’s last-gasp try.
The final was a colossal all-French affair as Stade Français met Stade Toulousain at BT Murrayfield Stadium, but it was the latter who were crowned champions for a third time thanks to an 18-12 win after extra time.
Four David Skrela penalties looked to be enough for Stade Français to clinch the trophy, but Toulouse levelled with two minutes to go before Frederic Michalak sealed their victory with a penalty and drop-goal.
