Comba scored Stade's first try

Given ten minutes for questioning the referee's decision, Stade Francais immediately exploited their numerical advantage.

Moving right, fly-half Dominguez gave a neat flick pass to centre Franck Comba, who scythed through the All Whites' defence to score the game's opening try.

Frustration

Ten minutes later Dominguez put his side 11-0 up with another penalty, as Swansea's attacking instincts were frustrated by the French and by the conditions.

They finally got points on the board, when Arwel Thomas kicked two penalties late in the half.

Swansea's best chance of the half went begging, however, when Arwel Thomas broke the Stade defence only to send the try-scoring pass over centre Mark Taylor's head.

Second half

The second half got underway in dramatic fashion with Swansea once more guilty of squandering a gilt-edged try-scoring opportunity.

Welsh international Mark Taylor went on a storming run through mid field, breaking tackles and setting up the ruck just feet short of Stade Francais' tryline.

The resulting possession was wasted, however, as a wide pass missed all possible recipients before crossing the touchline.

Then Colin Charvis was sent off for Swansea after appearing to make a late challenge on Diego Dominguez.

The decision looked to be harsh - as contact seemed to be minimal - but Swansea picked themselves up.

Even with 14 men they appeared to cause an increasingly disorganised Stade side problems and slowly gained the advantage in terms of possession and territory.

Drops

An Arwel Thomas drop goal after 25 minutes of the second half gave Swansea the lead for the first time in the match.

Then, with just two minutes remaining of the 80, Thomas slotted another drop goal - this time from a difficult angle on the right hand side of the pitch to give Swansea a four point cushion.

Still Stade came at the All Whites, however, and Stade hooker Lambreau scored to jangle the home supporters' nerves.

Swansea held out, however, with Thomas' third drop proving the decisive score.

Scorers - Swansea: Pens: A. Thomas 3. Drop Goals: A. Thomas 3.

Scorers - Stade Francais: Tries: Comba, Landreau. Pens: Dominguez 2.

Att: 4,500

Team

Swansea: D Weatherly, S Payne, M Taylor, S Gibbs (capt), M Robinson, A Thomas, R Jones, D Morris, G Jenkins, B Evans, T Maullin, A Moore, G Lewis, H Jenkins, C Charvis
Replacements: G Henson, C Rees, S Martens, C Wells, C Anthony, J Griffiths, D Thomas

Stade Francais: Mason, Lima, Comba, Mytton, Poulain, Dominguez, Lassucq, Marconnet, Landreau, De Villiers, Auradou, James, Moni, Pool-Jones, Juillet (capt)
Replacements: Blin, Collazo, Noriega, Williams, Tabacco, Lombard, Dominici

Referee: Ed Morrison (RFU)