26 Oct 2008

French rugby champions beat high flyers Stade Francais

2:38 pm on 26 October 2008

The French rugby champions Toulouse have defeated the previously unbeaten Stade Francais side 26-13 at the Stade de France.

Two tries in five minutes of the first-half effectively settled the clash, as Clement Poitrenaud crossed and then French international team-mate Yannick Jauzion touched down after great work by Cedric Heymans.

Stade would have got closer had kicker Lionel Beauxis not missed four penalties in the first-half, one from just 15 metres out which came back off the post.

The hosts were also hit early on by outstanding Argentinian back Juan Martin Hernandez having to go off injured.

Stade Francais, who had not lost under Australian coach Ewen McKenzie this season, still lead Toulouse in the Top 14 standings by four points after eight matches.

In other action, Clermont lost 30-25 at home to Montauban, big-spending Toulon slumped to their fifth defeat of the season losing 21-17 at home to Castres.