Rugby, Australian Football: Melville wary of French threat

Gloucester boss Nigel Melville insisted Stade Francais remain the team to catch in Pool Six of the Heineken Cup, despite the fact his side crushed Ulster at Kingsholm.

The Cherry and Whites collected a priceless bonus point and six tries in their 55-13 victory over the Irish province following their defeat in Paris last weekend.

But after Stade's crushing demolition of Cardiff on Friday, Melville admitted Gloucester have it all to do to top the pool.

"There is no doubt you have to win your home games and we also know we have to pick up our bonus points," Melville said.

"Stade will pick up their bonuses as they go along and we know they are the favourites.

"Stade are the team we are all trying to catch - they have a lot of power and a lot of strength in depth but we will have a go at it.

"We don't have to go on the road for the final game, Stade have to come to us and if we can just stay in the competition, we have every opportunity to turn things around.

"The game was scrappy but when we did things we talked about we posed problems for them."

Sportinglife