Cardiff beaten by Lyon but earn bonus point in high-scoring encounter

Cardiff had to make do with a four-try losing bonus point as Matt Sherratt's side began their Challenge Cup campaign with a 37-26 defeat in Lyon.

The Welsh club played their part in an enthralling contest which included an outstanding individual performance from 18-year-old centre Steffan Emanuel who became the youngest ever player to represent Cardiff in a European competition.

Cardiff started like a house on fire fighting their way into Lyon's 22. After a well executed lineout Cardiff went wide with some lovely handling from Emanuel and Tinus de Beer putting Josh Adams over at the corner.

De Beer converted from the touchline but Lyon hit back with a sensational try. World class Georgian full-back Davit Niniashvili broke clear before a delicious offload set Ethan Dumortier clear.

The right wing chipped over the top of the Cardiff defence before regathering the ball to score. But Cardiff hit straight back when loosehead prop Danny Southworth powered over from short-range after a period of intense pressure with de Beer yet again adding the extras.

Lyon began to gain the ascendancy and after a period camped in the Cardiff 22 Niniashvili combined with Vincent Rattez to put Alfred Parisien over for a try. Martin Meliande converted before putting Dumortier for his second try of the evening five minutes later which gave Lyon a 17-14 lead at the interval.

The visitors began the second-half in the ascendancy and extended their lead when hooker Yanis Charcosset powered over from short-range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout. But Cardiff refused to throw in the towel and after Jacob Beetham got held up over the line Alun Lawrence charged forward off the back of a stable scrum to allow Ellis Bevan to squeeze over for