Stade Francais 29 Harlequins 12

FLY-HALF Paul Burke kicked four penalties on his return from injury in Paris on Saturday, but was overshadowed by his opposite number Diego Dominguez as Quins crashed out of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup second round (writes DALE HARRY).

If Burke had been available for the first leg, which Quins lost 26-0, they might not have gone to Paris seeking a miracle.

He kicked Quins into the lead within five minutes with a well struck penalty, but Stade - described by Quins head coach Mark Evans as "one of the best teams in Europe" - were quick to react and Thomas Lombard benefited from a kind bounce to touch down.

Italian international fly-half Dominguez converted from out wide and then added a penalty.

Quins were not helped when Ace Tiatia was sin-binned mid-way through the first half, though Burke kept them in touch with a penalty before Dominguez added two of his own to give Stade a ten-point cushion going into the break.

A chip through should have enabled Quins to close the deficit, but an unkind bounce beat Matt Moore who had a clear run to goal.

The second half was an evenly balanced affair as Burke continued to keep Quins in touching distance with another two penalties.

Stade stepped up their game, however, and Dominguez kicked two more penalties to take his tally to five before playing a key part in the move for their second try.

It was Christophe Moni who went over and Dominguez slotted home the conversion.

Stade Francais scorers: tries - C. Moni, T. Lombard; pens - Dominguez 5; cons - Dominguez 2.

Harlequins scorers: pens - Burke 4.

Harlequins: J. Leonard, T. Fuga, L. Gomez, B. Davison, J. Evans (S. Miall, 65 mins), A. Tiatia (L. Sherriff, 54 mins), P. Sanderson, T. Diprose, S. Bemand, P. Burke (S. Fitzgerald, 78 mins), M. Moore, C. Bell, V. Satala, R. Jewell, N. Williams.

This Saturday Quins are at home to Leeds Tykes (3pm).

Meanwhile, three young Harlequins three-quarters have been called up by the England under-21 A team to face Wales A on Wednesday, December 18.

Centres Tom Allen and Andy Reay and wing Ugo Monye - all aged 19 - are in the squad for the game at Newbury RFC (2pm).