Paul Burke was at the heart of most of the good work from the visitors and after missing a penalty on three minutes, he kicked his side in front five minutes later with a second attempt to put Quins 3-0 ahead.

But the lead did not last long, and at the restart the home side won possession from which Fabien Galthie put-in a teasing kick over the back of the Quins defence that bounced nicely for Thomas Lombard to collect and score.

Italian internationl fly half Diego Dominguez converted from out wide and then added a penalty soon after Ace Tiatia was sent to the bin to put Stade in the driving seat. Although Burke kept Quins in touch with another penalty two late strikes from Dominguez saw the French side fortunate to turn around ten points ahead (16-6) after a Scott Bemand chip beat everybody with a cruel bounce with Matt Moore in the clear.

Burke continued to keep Quins in the hunt with two further penalties, but when Dominguez hit back with a penalty three minutes later to open up a seven point lead, Stade seemed to up their game.

Dominguez's added a fifth penalty for the home side before having a hand in the clinching try from Christophe Moni eight minutes from time, with the Italian general adding the extras for a comfortable 17 point win.

Final score, 29-12.