Stade Francais stun Toulouse with late Paul Williams try
By AFP
Last Updated: 03/01/16 11:10pm
Paul Williams scored a 78th-minute try to snatch an 18-17 win for Stade Francais over Toulouse on Sunday night.
The Top 14 champions' late show denied Toulouse a chance to go clear at the summit, although they left Paris with a losing bonus point that leaves them locked in a three-way tie on 38 points at the top of the table with Racing 92 and Clermont.
New Zealand-born centre Williams was the man of the moment after touching down at the death in what was a stunning turnaround.
Hugo Bonneval had brought the Parisians back into the running with a fine try in the 63rd minute on a blustery night in the capital.
But Toulouse will be kicking themselves after going ahead through an Alexis Palisson try in the fourth minute.
Sebastien Bezy scored four penalties for the visitors but Jules Plisson's two penalties and a conversion helped secure an unlikely victory for Stade, who have struggled to repeat the form that saw them win the Top 14 last season.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved and extremely satisfied to win that match," said Stade manager Gonzalo Quesada.
