Lyon’s debut in the Champions Cup ended in disappointment as Cardiff Blues secured a superb 30-21 triumph at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland.
The Top 14 outfit began brightly and went 10-0 ahead through Loann Goujon’s try and Lionel Beauxis’ penalty, but the Blues responded via Olly Robinson and Tomos Williams.
Although the hosts were back in front by the interval via the boot of Beauxis, Gareth Anscombe restored the visitors’ lead in the initial stages of the second half.
Anscombe then added a three-pointer before the full-back effectively completed the win with a fine individual score as they opened Pool 3 in outstanding fashion.
Lyon are an improving outfit in France and they crossed late on through Quentin Delord, but they failed to claim a losing bonus-point after Anscombe’s penalty in the final minute.
Despite the end result, the home side were dominant in the early exchanges with their forwards looking to move the point of contact, but it was mere power which did the trick for the first try.
The hosts set up a scrum and Goujon did well to keep hold of the ball and charge across the whitewash from close range for a 7-0 lead.
Mignoni’s men then kicked a penalty before the Welsh region got into the game and created an opportunity when Jason Harries broke through and off-loaded to Willis Halaholo.
Although that move broke down, the Frenchmen had been warned and they conceded as Williams sniped around the fringes and passed to Robinson, who touched down.
Having been stunned by that score, Lyon were determined to respond immediately but scrum-half Jean-Marc Doussain forced the pass and Ellis Jenkins intercepted. The openside did not have the pace to go all the way so he found the supporting Williams and the scrum-half finished well in the corner.
Unperturbed, Mignoni’s charges dominated the latter stages of the half and Beauxis took them back in front at the break from a couple more efforts off the tee.
However, John Mulvihill’s team began the second period on the front foot and deservedly regained their lead through Anscombe’s accuracy with the boot.
Lyon struggled for continuity after the break and it was Cardiff who were by the far the more assured side. Their full-back duly rewarded their control with a second three-pointer before the Wales international effectively secured the victory.
After receiving the ball, Anscombe set off on a mazy run and ended up going over without being challenged to give the Welsh region an 11-point advantage.
Despite being under pressure late on, the Blues held out defensively until Delord touched down in the final two minutes, but it was too late as Anscombe completed the visitors’ victory from the tee.
The scorers:
For Lyon:
Tries: Goujon, Delord
Con: Beauxis
Pens: Beauxis 3
For Cardiff Blues:
Tries: Robinson, T Williams, Anscombe
Cons: Anscombe 3
Pens: Anscombe 3
Lyon: 15 Charlie Ngatai, 14 Toby Arnold, 13 Rudi Wulf, 12 Thibaut Regard, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain, 8 Loann Goujon, 7 Patrick Sobela, 6 Julien Puricelli (c), 5 Hendrik Roodt, 4 Felix Lambey, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Mickael Ivaldi, 1 Alexandre Menini
Replacements: 16 Jeremie Maurouard, 17 Raphael Chaume, 18 Clément Ric, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Carl Fearns, 21 Dylan Cretin, 22 Quentin Delord, 23 Pierre-Louis Barassi
Cardiff Blues: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Jason Harries, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Josh Navidi, 7 Ellis Jenkins, 6 Olly Robinson, 5 Josh Turnbull, 4 Macauley Cook, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Kristian Dacey, 1 Rhys Gill
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Brad Thyer, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Samu Manoa, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rey Lee-Lo, 23 Aled Summerhill
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: Ian Tempest (England), Wayne Falla (England)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)