Cardiff Blues survived a strong second-half comeback from Stade Francais to earn a massive 31-21 victory at the Cardiff Arms Park and take top spot in Pool 3.

The French came back from a 20-7 half-time deficit to be within a score going into stoppage time, but David Flannagan got a crucial late drop-goal to deny Stade an important bonus point.

Tries from Jamie Robertson and Tom James had helped the Welsh go in at the break 20-7 up and then a Paul Tito effort early in the second-half extended the lead to 25-10.

Cardiff sliced through the middle of the Stade Francais defence twice in the opening half which helped them earn their half-time advantage.

A lovely opening try sandwiched in between Flannagan penalties put the Welsh 13-0 up, with Jamie Robertson finding the line, after a little fingertip first time pass from Flannagan had put Gareth Thomas away.

Stade were struggling to win the possession battle but they did close the gap before half-time when Julien Arias went over in the corner for a converted try.

However, a stunning cut-back from James in the sixth minute of first half stoppage time gave Cardiff their healthy half-time advantage.

When Tito charged down a kick and went over in the 44th minute it looked as if Cardiff were home and dry, but some good kicking from David Skrela and a try in the corner from Antonie Burban closed the gap to seven.

However, Stade couldn't get the converted try they needed to earn a draw and at the death, Flannagan snatched away what could have been a key bonus point for Stade with his late drop goal.

Seán Fay / Eurosport