Grace injured as Cardiff edged out at Perpignan

Regan Grace suffered a head injury on his Cardiff debut

European Challenge Cup

Perpignan (10) 23

Tries: Allan, Veredamu, Velarte Con: Allan Pens: Allan 2

Cardiff (3) 20

Tries: Lee-Lo, Mulder Cons: De Beer 2 Pens: De Beer 2

Cardiff's wait for a win in France continues after they were edged out by Perpignan in the European Challenge Cup.

It is six years since the Welsh side won across the Channel but they have not come this close in all those games.

Tomasso Allan's try on the stroke of half-time at a windy Stade Aime Giral was cancelled out by Rey Lee-Lo.

But Johan Mulder's late score was not enough for the visitors following tries for Tavite Veredamu and Lucas Velarte.

The losing bonus point keeps Cardiff third in Pool One with qualification in their own hands in next weekend's final round of pool games.

But there is concern over injuries to Regan Grace, Tinus de Beer and Aled Davies.

Grace debut

Former rugby league star Grace made his Cardiff debut after arriving from Bath this week but it was an inauspicious start for the union rookie.

His first touch was to knock on behind his own try line that handed the hosts an ideal attacking platform but Alex Mann produced a crucial interception.

It was the start of a workmanlike display from Mann in only his third start having had to bide his time this season.

Grace showed a glimpse of his pace when he almost scored straight from a kick-off but his day ended early with a head injury.

Young prop Rhys Barratt made his first senior start in a decent Cardiff scrum but the visitors wasted chances as the line-out faltered.

Dan Thomas was at his scavenging best in a robust defensive performance by Cardiff that only floundered seconds before half-time.

Perpignan ran back teenage wing Tom Bowen's ill-judged kick and Allan created and finished the game's opening try.

Cardiff regathered at half-time and struck straight back when Lee-Lo ran on to Rory Jennings' pass and barged over from close range.

The power of Perpignan's bench made an immediate impact to hand Fijian wing Veredamu an easy finish.

Allan's missed conversion and a second Tinus de Beer penalty kept Cardiff within a score.

And though Cam Winnett's spilt ball almost proved costly, his recovery tackle alongside Bowen and a follow-up challenge by Teddy Williams saved what looked a certain Perpignan try.

Cardiff's scrum lost parity when Josh McNally, Keiron Assiratti and Barratt were all replaced and Perpignan number eight Lucas Velarte burst over to open a ten-point lead on 62 minutes.

Mackenzie Martin made his first Cardiff appearance since mid-October while Perpignan lost fly-half Jake McIntyre to the sin-bin for blocking a pass.

And Lee-lo again capitalised with the break and off-load for Mulder to score but Cardiff could not find a third try.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: "We're pleased to come away with another point from France but disappointed because it's a game we could have won.

"We had enough chances in their 22 and moments where we just couldn't get over the line that we could have avoided leaving it until the final few minutes to try and win.

"A few more injuries will really test the depth of our squad but this point makes next week's game against Connacht all the more important."

Perpignan: Tommaso Allan; Tavite Veredamu, Job Poulet, Jeronimo de la Fuente (capt) Seta Toganiyadrava; Jake McIntyre, Gela Aprasidze, Giorgi Beria, Victor Montgaillard, Nemo Roelofse, Marvin Orie, Mathieu Tanguy, Noe Della Schiava, Alessandro Ortombina, Lucas Velarte.

Replacements: Seilala Lam, Bruce Devaux, Akato Fakatika, Tristan Labouteley, Patrick Sobela, Tom Ecochard, Antoine Aucagne, Apisai Naqalevu.

Sin bin: McIntyre (65)

Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Regan Grace, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen; Tinus de Beer, Aled Davies; Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams (capt), Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Mackenzie Martin, Johan Mulder, Ben Thomas, Jacob Beetham.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Assistant referees: Franco Rosella & Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)