Reigning Top 14 champions Stade Francais got their new campaign off to a solid start with a 34-18 triumph over newly promoted Pau on Sunday.

The hosts did not have things all their own way at Stade Jean-Bouin as Pau provided determined opposition on their return to the top flight.

However, Stade's class ultimately shone through as tries from Hugh Pyle, Antoine Burban, Raphael Lakafia and Djibril Camara, together with 14 points from the boot of Jules Plisson, secured victory.

Pyle went over after just five minutes, with Plisson adding the extras as Stade responded quickly to a Samuel Marques penalty for the visitors.

Another Marques penalty cut Pau's deficit to a point, but Plisson split the posts twice in quick succession to give his side a handy lead at the interval.

When Burban crossed for the first score of the second half, Stade looked likely to surge away from their opponents, but that was not the case initially as Pau replied with a converted try from Thierry Lacrampe.

Two more Plisson penalties eased any Stade nerves prior to Lakafia and Daniel Ramsay exchanging tries, before Camara rounded off the scoring with a minute to go.