ONE of the biggest positives to come out of Worcester’s 23-14 Amlin Challenge Cup defeat to European powerhouse Stade Francais was the mature, beyond-his-years, showing from Matt Kvesic.

The barnstorming back-rower caught the eye despite being faced with an imposing visiting back row and admits it was a thrill to test himself against such quality opposition.

The England under 20 star was recalled by head coach Richard Hill for the clash and found himself up against a powerful Stade unit that included Australian international David Lyons and legendary Italian number eight Sergio Parisse.

The level-headed academy product said: “It’s a huge challenge when you look at what a world-class side they have, but it is great to test yourself against them and I enjoyed that if not the result.

“I will take the positives and it is a learning process for me.

"We were bitterly disappointed with the result. I thought we deserved a little bit more, having had a really good start but, to be fair to Stade, they came at us in the second-half and our indiscipline let us down a little bit.

“That killed us and Felipe Contepomi took his kicks really well. It was tough and we tried to manage the referee, but they played well and deserved the victory.

“We have to try and take the positives from it and look to Parma next week. We will be fit and ready to go.”

Sixways chief Hill admitted indiscipline had cost his side as they failed to capitalise on a flying opening half-hour which saw tries from Chris Pennell and Marcel Garvey hand them a 14-0 lead.

He added: “After the first 30 minutes, we looked like we were going to have a decent night, but we fizzled out a little bit. We lost a few line-outs and gave away a silly penalty at the side of the scrum at the end of the first-half.

“Unfortunately, six penalties in a row in the second-half, and too many of those in kickable positions, saw us lose momentum and initiative. We gave away some silly penalties.

“To get six penalties against you on your own ground, when you don't get one until right at the end, was most unusual. We didn’t get too many favours.

“Stade Francais worked their way back into it and we are also disappointed by their try. It looked like they knocked on under the posts and our players are incensed about that and so were the crowd.

“But we didn’t back up the first 30 minutes with the same sort of play.

“We didn’t get too much field position in their half. You have also got to win your set-piece ball and that was the reason that our possession dried up.”