Cardiff Rugby left Paris empty-handed despite a spirited display against Stade Francais in the opening round of the European Challenge Cup.

The Blue & Blacks enjoyed a bright opening 40 at Stade Jean-Bouin with Matty Young creating one try for Iwan Stephens and scoring a second but Stade’s star-studded side were dominant in the second-half. 

They crossed for five further tries with the scoreboard not reflecting the fight and competitiveness of the youthful Cardiff side.

Javan Sebastian burrowed over with four minutes to go but Cardiff were unable to snatch a fourth to salvage a try-scoring bonus-point.

Corniel van Zyl made nine changes to the starting XV that triumphed over Zebre last week and named three debutants in the squad, with full-back Young starting.

Harri Wilde, who made his competitive debut last week, was also thrust into action early following an injury to Ioan Lloyd, and all of the youngsters acquitted themselves well.

Stade had a golden opportunity to pile on the early pressure as Cardiff were penalised at the kick-off in Paris. The home side kicked to the corner and when their driving lineout was held short it looked inevitable that they would cross from a carrier.

However a trio of try-saving tackles from Ellis Bevan, Ioan Lloyd and then James Botham heroically held the hosts out and the ball up. 

Both sides enjoyed moments in the minutes that followed before Stade were held up over the line again on 15 minutes.

But it did not take the hosts long to open the scoring. The key break was made by Stade hooker Giacomo Nicotera. The ball was quickly recycled and slick hands released Mathis Ibo down the right to squeeze in the corner. 

Cardiff were dealt a blow when Ioan Lloyd was forced off, with Harri Wilde introduced early but it did not deter the Blue & Blacks playing in their pink alternate strip.

They were incredibly unfortunate not to hit back when a Elijah Evans, on minutes earlier when Mason Grady was pinged for a HIA, unlocked the Stade defence with a fine carry and offload. 

Matty Young broke clear down the right and passed inside to Ellis Bevan, who was tackled agonisingly short. The ball was salvaged and recycled but Cardiff were held up short. 

Cardiff remained on the attack and Stade were fortunate to remain at full complement after Braxton Asi made contact with the head of James Botham. It was perhaps not severe enough to warrant a red card from referee Peter Martin but was surprisingly served with only a penalty.

The Blue & Blacks remained undeterred and hit back with a try of their own. Wilde’s pass put Young in space and he fended to ease outside Charles Laloi before drawing the last man and putting Iwan Stephens, making his first appearance in 406 days, away for a try.

Wilde’s conversion sailed narrowly wide but Cardiff remained in Stade’s faces and a thunderous tackle from Mason Grady left Lester Etien writhing in agony. 

Cardiff pressed for a second try shortly after the half-hour mark and after the forwards ran out of steam the ball was spread to Young, who dived into the corner for the lead. 

Wilde failed to add the extras but Cardiff went into the interval in Paris, leading by five. 

Half time: Stade Francais 5 Cardiff Rugby 10

However, it was not to last long in the second-half as Stade went straight on the attack and found gaps in the Cardiff defence. They crossed on 42 minutes to level the scores through Tanginoa Halaifonua and Louis Foursans-Bourdette converted to nudge his side in front at 12-10.

Ibi crossed for Stade’s third try on 50 minutes as the ball was spread wide following wave after wave of forward attack. The final pass appeared marginally forward and captain, Alun Lawrence, enquired about a dangerous clear out but the try stood and Stade held a 17-10 lead. 

The hosts crossed for the bonus-point try after an hour with Juan-Martin Scelzo touching down and Foursans-Bourdette converting. 

Foursans-Bourdette was next to cross as the scoreboard began to run away from Cardiff but they continued to fight.

Nothing however stuck for them and they were dealt a cruel blow when Stade snatched their attacking ball at the breakdown and raced away for another through Charles Laloi. 

However, Cardiff had the last word as Sebastian powered over from close-range to give his side a sniff of a losing bonus-point.

They threw caution to the wind but were held up in the tackle in their own 22 and Stade played out the game.

Cardiff return to the capital where they host Ulster in Round 2, following their demolition of Racing 92 on Saturday night.