Dai Young’s men secured a valuable losing bonus-point in Paris but will know they must win to keep their Heineken Cup dreams alive at the Arms Park.

This is the fourth meeting between the clubs in the Heineken Cup and the formidable and much-fancied French champions added to their two previous wins with an edgy 12-6 victory in Paris on Sunday.

Captain Xavier Rush and his men will take heart from a competitive performance but will have to move up a gear in attack if they are to achieve victory which will go a long way to confirming Cardiff’s first quarter-final appearance since 2001.

Two-times runners-up Stade Francais suffered a shock loss to Bristol in round two and haven’t won on the road in the competition in four matches, however form is temporary, class is permanent and Stade have a squad with class in abundance.