Down and Roberts injuries mar Cardiff’s victory

Racing Metro 20 Cardiff Blues 26

The Wales skipper made his first return to action after his controversial red card, which saw him banned for three weeks, for a dangerous tackle on France’s Vincent Clerc in the World Cup semi-final in New Zealand.

The Blues had tries from prop Tau Filise and young wing Alex Cuthbert, to put them in pole position for qualification from a pool which also includes London Irish and Edinburgh. Scotland fly-half Dan Parks also kicked 16 points, including two conversions and four penalties.

Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, would have been concerned at the sight of centre Jamie Roberts leaving the field in the 11th minute with a groin injury ahead of the visit of Australia to the Millennium Stadium next month.

But the game was marred by an injury in the second minute to lock James Down, who picked up an horrific broken leg at the tackle area and was stretchered from the field before being replaced by Paul Tito.

Racing, who were without four injured stars of their own, never really got a real foothold in the game.

Scorers for Racing Metro 92: Tries: Jose Imhoff. Pens: Germain 4. Drop Goals: Hernandez.

RACING METRO 92: Germain, Bobo, Chavancy, Estebanez, Jose Imhoff, Hernandez, Loree, Lo Cicero, Noirot, Orlandi, Ghezal, Nailiko, Leo’o, Battut, Cronje.

Replacements: Wisniewski for Estebanez (47), Durand for Loree (55), Ben Arous for Lo Cicero (70), Coetzee for Orlandi (55), Nallet for Ghezal (47), Vaquiin for Leo’o (70).

Cardiff Blues scorers: Tries: Filise, Cuthbert. Cons: Parks 2. Pens: Parks 4.

CARDIFF BLUES: Czekaj, Cuthbert, Laulala, Roberts, James, Parks, L. Williams, G. Jenkins, T. Thomas, Filise, B. Davies, Down, Paterson, Warburton, Rush.

Replacements: Sweeney for Laulala (72), Andrews for Filise (73), Tito for Down (3), Pretorius for Rush (70).

Referee: George Clancy (RU).