Stade, the 2011 tournament finalists, went into the final group match needing just a point against a team they had beaten 68-19 in Round 1 to go through.

In the end they got the maximum five and although London Welsh will be all the better for their European experiences the huge cross border experience of the French capital club allied to their star-studded squad was always going to be decisive.

Lock Pascal Pape, recently announced as French captain for the RBS 6 Nations, got their second try to help them into a 15 point half time advantage, left wing Julien Arias getting their first try after just nine minutes while the Exiles' only response was an Alex Davies penalty.

Centre Geoffrey Doumayrou got the third for Stade after the break and a penalty try clinched the bonus point before free-scoring hooker Remi Bonfils crossed the London Welsh line.

But Lyn Jones' team refused to buckle and a brace of tries from wing Phillip Mackenzie in the space of four minutes reminded Stade they still had work to do, Francis Fainifo doing just that with their sixth.