European Rugby Champions Cup: Lyon 21-30 Cardiff Blues

Gareth Anscombe and Macauley Cook celebrate in Lyon

Gareth Anscombe scored a spectacular solo try as Cardiff Blues fought back from 10-0 down to start their European Champions Cup campaign with a superb win in Lyon.

After Loan Goujon's opening try and Lionel Beauxis' conversion and penalty, the visitors gradually took command.

Audacious tries by Olly Robinson and Tomos Williams followed and Anscombe's weaving run stunned the hosts.

Pierre-Louis Barassi raced away in a vain reply for the hosts.

The visitors made seven changes for their first appearance in the competition since 2014 against a team playing at this level for the first time.

They brought summer back-row signing Samu Manoa off the bench for his debut, having recalled open-side flanker Robinson and switched Josh Navidi to number eight as they opted for pace over power to start.

Anscombe moved to full-back with Jarrod Evans back at 10 and partnered at half-back by Williams.

There was also a first start of the season for centre Garyn Smith, while Macauley Cook returned at lock along with props Rhys Gill and Dillon Lewis.

Lyon built a 10-point lead as Goujon burst from a scrum to charge over.

Beauxis converted and added a penalty to reward more endeavour.

But the visitors underlined their attacking threat out wide with a sweeping attack that brought a memorable try for Robinson, the son of former England flanker and coach Andy.

Anscombe converted and did so again after captain Ellis Jenkins' audacious interception gave scrum-half Williams the chance to bewilder full-back Charlie Ngatai on his way to the line.

Beauxis kicked Lyon back in front with two penalties before the break, but Anscombe replied soon after it.

The Wales international added another penalty to give Blues a six-point lead going into the final quarter.

Anscombe then set off on a weaving 50-metre run to outwit and outpace the home defence before adding the conversion.

The introduction of English number eight Carl Fearns gave Lyon a boost, albeit countered by Manu's introduction as the visitors repelled Lyon's threats until Barassi raced clear from long range.

However, Anscombe had the final say, kicking the penalty that ensured the hosts did not earn a losing bonus point.

Blues captain Ellis Jenkins told BBC Sport Wales they are not getting carried away by the result.

"It's a good start for us and we go again next week against Glasgow... we'll see where we are after two rounds," he said.

"We've just got to focus on ourselves and try to get better and better.

"It was a good step up for us today and it's great that we got an away win, but like I said, it's early days."

Lyon: Charlie Ngatai; Toby Arnold, Rudi Wulf, Thibaut Regard, Noa Nakaitaci; Lionel Beauxis, Jean-Marc Doussain; Alexandre Menini, Mickael Ivaldi, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Felix Lambey, Hendrik Roodt, Julien Puricelli (capt), Patrick Sobela, Loann Goujon.

Replacements: Jeremie Maurouard, Raphael Chaume, Clement Ric, Manuel Carizza, Carl Fearns, Dylan Cretin, Quentin Delord, Pierre-Louis Barassi.

Cardiff Blues: Gareth Anscombe; Owen Lane, Garyn Smith, Willis Halaholo, Jason Harries; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Gill, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Macauley Cook, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Ellis Jenkins (capt), Josh Navidi.

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Brad Thyer, Dmitri Arhip, Rory Thornon, Samu Manoa, Lloyd Williams, Rey Lee-Lo, Aled Summerhill.

Referee: JP Doyle (RFU)

Assistant referees: Ian Tempest, Wayne Falla (RFU)

TMO: David Grashoff (RFU)

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