Danny Wilson Salutes “Gutsy” Cardiff Blues After Toulouse Are Toppled

Danny Wilson believes his young Cardiff Blues side are starting to add guts to youthful gusto after their impressive win in Toulouse on Friday night.

The Blues made it two wins from two games in the European Challenge Cup with a courageous 17-15 victory over the French giants at the Stade Ernest Wallon.

Toulouse – who beat Cardiff in the very first European Cup final back in 1996 – had won 14 of their previous 15 home matches against Welsh opposition in the premier European tournament.

But their first home game in the Challenge Cup proved a different story as the Blues edged into a narrow lead and then defended resolutely in the late stages.

Wilson said: “I thought our players were outstanding. To come out and guts it out at a venue like this, against a team like this, was superb and that’s with a lot of young players out there as well.

“The boys showed huge character and commitment to show what a tight group of players they are.

“That second half was mainly us. We held territory and possession and will probably look back and say we should have scored a few more points, if I’m honest.”

A try from giant Nick Williams from a driving lineout put Blues ahead, before Romain Ntamack’s try levelled the scores and Antoine Dupont gave the hosts a narrow lead at the interval.

But flanker Macauley Cook surged over on 51 minutes and Jarrod Evans’ conversion put Blues 17-15 in front.

It was an advantage they never relinquished and the Blues’ celebrations at the final whistle were fully merited.

The result puts the Blues top of Pool Two and was their third successive victory in all competitions.

They now face the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets as they return to Guinness Pro14 action next Saturday.

 

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