By David Williams
Cardiff laid down a statement of intent as they go in search of their third EPCR Challenge Cup title, with a resounding seven-try, 41-0 win against Brive in their opening game at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.
“We would have settled for that before the game. But the nil is just as pleasing as the seven tries,” said director of rugby Dai Young.
Kristian Dacey, with two, and returning Wales wing Josh Adams scored first-half tries.
Lloyd Williams sealed the bonus point after just 48 minutes on his 250th appearance for the club.
Teddy Williams, Mason Grady and Theo Cabango added further scores in a one-sided affair in freezing conditions.
Young added: “Lots of things didn’t go as well as we would’ve liked but we certainly would have settled for that before the game. I wasn’t totally comfortable going in at half time, and I thought we should’ve had a few more points on the board in the first half.
“That first 10 minutes of the second half for me was huge because if they’d have scored a try, then that could have fed their confidence and their belief.
“We could’ve got a bit jittery but to be fair we kicked on. However, we didn’t really get out of third gear to be honest.
UCHAFWYNTIAU | HIGHLIGHTS 🏉
Perfformiad campus gan dîm Dai Young wrth iddynt ddechrau ymgyrch Ewrop gyda phwynt bonws! 🔥
▶️ https://t.co/b8gxliR2nk#ChallengeCupRugby | @Cardiff_Rugby pic.twitter.com/2K6L2b5JDn
— S4C Chwaraeon 🏴 (@S4Cchwaraeon) December 11, 2022
“We know that we’ll need to be a lot better next week. But we couldn’t have got much more out of tonight.
“We scored some good tries, the defence held up as did the set-piece. The scrum was good, we started off really well in the line-out and scored two driving line-out tries. We had some problems aerially in the line-out, which we need to sort out for next week, but we’re confident we can do that.
“We left a few points out there but like I say, we certainly would’ve settled for that. It’s job done, we’re happy with the result and we’ll move on to next week.”
Cardiff’s next game is away to Newcastle Falcons, who lost their opener 22-8 in Connacht.
“We know we’ll have to go up a couple of gears to get a victory against Newcastle,” said Young.
“Yes we won tonight, but not being disrespectful, I think we were in third gear for most of the game and we’ll need to step up at least two gears next week.
“Newcastle are a good team and are very strong at home. I’m sure they’ll be giving this competition their best crack.
“We spoke before the game that we’ve got good history in this competition. If we can play some good rugby, there’s no reason why we can’t pick up some wins and if we can do that, who knows, we can get through to the knockout stages.
Young has confirmed that centre Max Llewellyn is leaving the club at the end of the season, having signed for an English Premiership club.
“Yes, unfortunately that’s the case. But can you blame these boys?
“That’s the question we’ve got to ask ourselves. Unfortunately they’ve got to look at their futures, their job security and at this moment in time, until things are resolved, we are pretty much in a situation where can’t do anything on that.
“It’s hugely disappointing. We are trying to build something but it’s not different to any of the other regions, this isn’t just a Cardiff thing. This is a Welsh rugby thing.
“We are try to build something and the last thing you want to do is lose players but unfortunately that’s going to be the case until this situation is resolved.
“It shouldn’t be a surprise when things drag on as long as they have. At the end of the day they’ve got mortgages to pay, they’ve got careers they’ve got to look after.
“He won’t be the first and he certainly won’t be the last unless things can get resolved very quickly.”
“We’ve got 20-odd players out of contract and I couldn’t tell you if any of them are going to be here.
“At the end of the day we want to keep the majority of the players but if this goes on for much longer and if people start putting contracts in front of these players they have to do what is best for them and their families.
“I don’t think players are desperate to leave Welsh rugby but at the end of the day they have to look after themselves. I think in all walks of life we understand how difficult it must be for everybody.”