Cardiff down 14-man Newcastle in Challenge Cup as forgotten man scores two tries in front of Gatland

Cardiff maintained their unbeaten record in this term’s EPCR Challenge Cup as they dispatched 14-man Newcastle Falcons with six tries at the Arms Park.

Dai Young’s team had hit a couple of bumps in the road before with home defeats against Ospreys and Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship.

But they have performed well in the Challenge Cup and were able to extend their winning sequence to three in the 2022-23 competition, this comfortable victory putting them back on top of Pool A with one round of matches to play.

They are guaranteed a place in the last 16 of the tournament and will travel to Brive next weekend aiming to seal a top-four finish in the group and a home draw in the next round.

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Given that Brive have been abysmal in the competition to date, losing 61-5 to Connacht over the weekend, it would be a surprise if Cardiff didn’t get what they’re looking for.

They were much too good for the Falcons.

Josh Adams quite looked the part at full-back and Owen Lane scored two tries, with Ellis Jenkins catching the eye at the breakdown and the unheralded Keiron Assiratti using the chance of a rare start to perform solidly. Rhys Priestland also ran the game impressively.

Lane took the official man-of-the-match honours. The wing barely figured in Wales contention under Wayne Pivac, not helped by injuries, but he took his scores well here, with Warren Gatland watching.

As well as Lane’s brace, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Carre, Josh Adams and Harri Millard crossed for the hosts, with hooker Alun Walker replying.

Newcastle were disappointing, again.

Cardiff had thrashed them 47-10 at Kingston Park before Christmas, and for a while the