AMID all the razzmatazz of Sunday's Paris showpiece, Sale were given a lesson in the cold, harsh realities of Heineken Cup rugby.

The 44,000 fans packed into the Parc des Princes were treated to a can-can from the Moulin Rouge chorus girls prior to kick off but it was the dancing feet of Stade's wingers that truly dazzled.

Both Christophe Dominici and Julien Saubade scored two tries apiece in a display of clinical rugby that left Sale stunned.

It was, however, extremely harsh on the English champions.

They had arrived in Paris their ranks utterly depleted, yet pushed the French league leaders to the limit in a display of heart and passion that left nobody doubting their ability to maintain a challenge on all fronts despite the current injury crisis.

This defeat may prove to be the death knell for Sale's current Heineken Cup hopes but it also proved that there is plenty of life left in this team.

Sale's effort was epitomised by their two French battering rams - Sebastien Chabal and Sebastien Bruno - who surely did enough back on home soil to convince national team coach Bernard Laporte they are worth a shot for the forthcoming Six Nations.

The pair formed part of a remarkable forward effort, Chabal in particular consistently dishing out big hits and bashing his way over the gain-line to keep the visitors on a level footing with their illustrious French counterparts.

Early signs had been promising enough, fly half Daniel Larrechea kicking a penalty to capitalise on some decent territory but Stade soon shifted up a couple of gears.

Slick handling and swift, accurate passing got the home side's backs moving and when Geoffroy Messina broke the defensive cover, he fed Dominici who darted down the touchline to score past Jason Robinson's despairing lunge.

As if attempting to go one better, Dominici's wing colleague Saubade soon doubled the try count. Outstripping a visibly injured Mark Cueto - who left the field immediately after the try to add to his side's woes - Saubade superbly chipped over Robinson and collected to touch down.

A penalty from Lee Thomas closed the gap but before the half time whistle had even been sounded, Stade had their third try, Dominici again beating Robinson after a stunning backline move.

Redoubling their efforts after the break, Sale not only stopped the rot but instilled a real sense of panic into the hearts of the 40,000 watching Parisians.

Stade had no answer as the English champions began to dominate up front, bullying and battering their way onto the front foot.

Robinson led by example, raising spirits with a dazzling break but it was down to the visitors' enigmatic number 8 to provide the true glimmer of hope.

Intercepting a loose pass, Chabal ran fully 50 metres to touch down under the posts.

With victory in sight, Sale went from broke, only to be struck down by a sickening blow. Richard Wigglesworth spread the ball out wide on the overlap, only to watch in horror as Saubade grabbed the pass and ran the ball in.

It was a try that reflected Stade's clinical back play but one that did a great injustice to the efforts of their opponents.

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