Tana's return to action ends in defeat

Tana Umaga made his long awaited return to the playing field but couldn't prevent his Toulon side from losing 12-22 to Stade Francais in the French Top 14 championship match in Paris this morning.

The 35-year-old Umaga wore the No 12 jersey alongside league recruit Sonny Bill Williams in the Toulon midfield and put in a solid performance before being subbed after 52 minutes.

He made some strong carries up the guts and also produced some useful offloads.

It was his first match in almost two years after deciding to come out of retirement and start playing again as well as handling the coaching duties at a Toulon side desperately trying to avoid relegation.

But as steady as Umaga was, it was his replacement, Fijian centre Gabiriele Lovobalavu who helped set up Toulon's two second half tries.

Toulon were quickly in trouble, trailing 13-nil at halftime and then 16-nil before they started a spirited fightback.

Toulon outscored Stade two tries to one - including a touchdown to former All Blacks prop Saimone Taumoepeau - but paid for their mistakes, conceding four kickable penalties and a dropped goal that proved telling in the end.

Having two players sin-binned for a lack of discipline didn't help Toulon either.

This was always going to be a tough match against a Stade side that moved to the top of the table with the win. The result leaves Toulon vulnerable at the other end of proceedings.

- © Fairfax NZ News