Monday Round-Up

Stade impress again: The French Top 14 had yet another surprising twist yesterday, as Stade Francais completed their league double over reigning European and domestic champions Toulon with an impressive 30-6 victory. Italian no.8 and club talisman Sergio Parisse was first over the whitewash for the hosts at Stade Jean Bouin, helping his side into a 16 point advantage after the opening exchanges. Leigh Halfpenny got his side momentarily back into the game at the interval and the momentum after the half time break seemed to lie with Bernard Laporte’s men. However, in rather unlikely fashion, Toulon failed to convert possession and pressure into points on the board and Stade had effectively weathered the storm. Tries from Jeremy Sinzelle and giant Georgian prop forward Shvania, sealed an impressive win for the home side which sees them move to the summit of the Top 14 table and keep their unbeaten home form in tact. 

Wasps down Gloucester: London Wasps completed an impressive away victory against Gloucester yesterday, as the men from the English capital came away from fortress Kingsholm with a 30-23 win over their hosts. Despite taking the lead early on through a Jonny May five pointer, and applying all the early pressure, the Cherry and Whites failed to mount any notable advantage, allowing Wasps to come back into this one. First, right wing Christian Wade went over after evading two would be tacklers with nimble footwork and some serious pace, before opposite wing Tom Varndell found himself the benefactor of a wicked bounce to hand his side a 17-7 advantage. A further try from Nathan Hughes ruled out Matt Kvesic’s effort for the hosts and when both Andy Goode and Elliot Daly found their range from the kicking tee, the win was well and truly sealed for Dai Young’s men as their impressive form continues.

Ryan Sheady