Joris Segonds kicked a late penalty as Stade Francais edged Connacht 37-31 in a thriller at Stade Jean-Bouin in the Champions Cup.

Tries from Adrien Lapegue x2, Ngani Laumape, Kylan Hamdouai and Ryan Chapais moved the visitors up to eighth by virtue of points difference, as Stade Francais extended their impressive home record in the Champions Cup to 36 games.

The hosts needed 10 points to overtake Cardiff rugby into eighth, but looked likely to miss out as Connacht led 27-31 with 10 minutes remaining, but a late try from Lapegue and a penalty from Segonds sent the hosts through as it stands.

For Connacht, they stumbled into the round-of-16 by virtue of Toulouse’s forfeit, but it was yet another example of failing to hold a lead. 

Andy Friend’s team surrendered an 18 point lead last weekend against Leicester to lose 29-28, and this weekend they surrendered an 11 point lead with a man advantage. While Connacht’s away form in France continues to worsen, with seven defeats in their last eight across the channel. 

All hope looked to have evaporated for the visitors as Connacht raced into a 10-17 lead at the break, thanks to tries from Alex Wootton and Caolin Blade. Nicolas Sanchez later missed two conversions and then the visitors saw Tolu Latu sent off for two yellow cards on either side of the break. 

Connacht quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage as Tom Farrell added a quick score before Ngani Laumape and Hamdouai responded in quick succession for the hosts to make it 20-24. Friend’s men responded emphatically as Jarrad Butler crashed over minutes later to give Connacht a 20-31 lead. 

However, that proved to be as good as it got as the hosts fought back. Sanchez’s quick hands released Chapais, who crashed over to reduce the deficit to 27-24.

Connacht soon lost open-side flanker Blade Oliver to a sin bin with ten minutes remaining, and Stade Francais quickly capitalised to regain their first lead since early in the first half, thanks to a second try from Lapegue. 

However, time was quickly running out for the hosts to overtake Cardiff, as Segonds missed a penalty from halfway, until Butler’s obstruction gave the fly-half a second chance and Segonds made Connacht pay as he slotted over the kick to send the socially distanced crowd into rapture.