ULSTER failed in their attempt to claim a first win on French soil, narrowly going down to Stade Francais in a Heineken Cup dead rubber at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
With both teams' chances of qualifying for the tournament's quarter-finals from Pool Four already extinguished, only a second-placed finish in the group and a smidgen of pride was at stake.
Two French tries – by Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Mark Ga
snier – were matched by Ulster, whose touchdowns came from Paul Steinmetz and Nigel Brady, but four Lionel Beauxis penalties proved the difference.
Sale Sharks finished their Heineken Cup campaign with a flourish as they ended any slim hopes Clermont Auvergne had of reaching the knockout stages, winning 26-17. Sale only had pride to play for as they had already missed a place in the last eight – although they finished second in Pool One, they are out of the running for a best runner-up slot in the quarters.
Tries from Oriol Ripol, Dwayne Peel, David Tait, with three conversions and a penalty from Luke McAlister, sank the French outfit, whose tries came from Thomas Combezou and Napolini Vonowale Nalaga, both converted by fly-half Seremaia Bai, who also notched a penalty.
Also in Pool One, Montauban's home clash with pool winners Munster was postponed and will be played today.
In Pool Three, Perpignan beat Treviso 48-16.
