Never-say-die Edinburgh completed an incredible turnaround at BT Murrayfield to maintain their 100 per cent record in the European Challenge Cupo with victory over Stade Francais.
20-3 down at half time after what was at best an inept performance, Edinburgh rebounded with a new front row and a relish for the battle which even meant they shrugged off Phil Burleigh’s harsh straight red card midway through the second half.
Tries from Damien Hoyland, Ben Toolis and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne paced the comeback but it was the kicking of Duncan Weir, both from the hand and from the tee, that made the real difference, after the Scotland stand-off had endured a nightmare of a first half.
In the second half however his pinpoint tactical kicks had the French back three under constant pressure and gave Edinburgh the territory to win the game.
The home side couldn’t get a foothold from the start, finding themselves 17-0 down on Stade’s first three attacks of the night.
Failing to secure the opening kick-off, they found themselves under the cosh immediately, giving up two penalties before Stade worked space for their huge centre Vuidraviwalu to smash over for a try near the posts with three minutes played.
Morne Steyn converted and dropped a long range goal as Edinburgh struggled in the setpiece and lacked execution when they did have the ball.
A scrum against the head put them under pressure after 23 minutes and the French worked it for flanker Macalou to waltz past some poor tackling from 30 metres for the second try, Steyn converting.
Edinburgh got some help with Paul Williams yellow carded for a tip tackle on Mata and a penalty from Weir to at least put them on the scoreboard, but another penalty against them in the scrummage allowed Steyn to put his side 20-3 at the half.
The attempted comeback was slow in starting, but Alan dell and Simon Berghan gave new stability in the scrum and after seven minutes of the second half Edinburgh finally executed a slick backline move, Hoyland steaming in from the opposite wing for a typically good finish.
That went unconverted but Weir’s better kicking game pinned Stade back and from a strong lineout drive Ben Toolis went over, Weir converting to cut the deficit to five.
Just as Edinburgh seemed to be gaining ground Phil Burleigh was red carded for a hand to the face of Stade skipper Pascal Pape, although the veteran French international lock shamelessly milked what was at best a half-hearted contact from the centre.
Steyn kicked a penalty to give Stade breathing room but back came Edinburgh with a great Blair Kinghorn break and Sam Hildalgo-Clyne darted for a try near the posts.
Weir converted and then landed a penalty from point blank after his own long kick had Stade in panic in retreat, and amazingly Edinburgh were now ahead.
Stade thought they had a winning try in the dying moments but TMO evidence showed a knock on, and instead Edinburgh used their re-enforced scrum and maul to work another penalty for Weir to complete the memorable victory.
Edinburgh: Kinghorn; Hoyland, Allen, Burleigh, Helu; Weir, Hidalgo-Clyne; Dickinson, McInally, McCallum; Toolis, Gilchrist; Mata, Watson, Bradbury.
Replacements: Ford for McInally 60, Dell for Dickinson 41, Berghan for McCallum 41, McKenzie for Gilchrist 69, du Preez for Mata 73.
Stade Francais: Sinzelle; Arias, Vuidraviwalu, Williams, Raisuqe; Steyn, Genia; van de Merwe, Panis, Melikidze; Gabrillagues, Pape; Macalou, di Giovanni, Alberts.
Bonfils for Panis 49, Zhvania for van de Merwe 60, Felsina for Melikidze 65, Pyle for Pape 70, Sio for Alberts 45, Millet for Arias 69.
Ref: C Maxwell-Keys (RFU)
