European Challenge Cup
Stade de France (5) 38
try: Ibo 2, Halaifonua, Scelzo, Foursans-Bourdette, Laloy shortcoming: Foursans-Bourdette 4
Cardiff(10) 17
try: Stephens Young Sebastian shortcoming: wilde
Cardiff City were overwhelmed in the second half of their European Challenge Cup opener, losing 38-17 at the Stade de France.
The Nerazzurri rotated their squad for the trip to Paris thanks to a strong start to the United Rugby Championship (URC), but led 10-5 at half-time.
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Winger Ivan Stephens, making his first appearance since rupturing knee ligaments a year ago, was joined by full-back Matty Young, who was making his debut.
However, Studd started their season with five shots on goal in the second half.
Cardiff stalwart Jawan Sebastian went out with five minutes remaining but they were denied a fourth consolation bonus.
Cardiff City are second at URC and have three important derbies over the festive period, which influenced head coach Conil van Zyl’s decision to rotate his squad after the win over Zebre.
Three players made their debuts, with lively fullback Young starting, center Elijah Evans and forward Ian Davis coming off the bench.
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Cardiff were also boosted by the return of winger Stephens, with physical defender Mason Grady continuing his return on the other side after starting at Parma.
On the downside, flyback Ioan Lloyd was forced off in the first half with a right shoulder injury.
Cardiff City’s performance against Ulster at Arms Park next Saturday could influence their third and fourth round fixtures in January given their URC play-off push.
Stadler, fourth in the round of 14, was denied twice and opened the scoring in the 16th minute with defender Mathis Ibo’s deft shot from the right after hooker Giacomo Nicotera broke through.
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The try scorer then turned try protector with a stunning effort to fend off scrum-half Ellis Bevan before the Blue and Blacks held on.
Home tight end Braxton Asi escaped a high tackle on James Botham without a card but a penalty did result in Cardiff’s equalizer in the 23rd minute.
They kicked to the 22, applied pressure and moved the ball to the left, allowing a fit Stephens to cross with a brilliant assist from Young.
The rookie full-back’s performance would have brought some cheer to Penarth RFC after their clubhouse was gutted by fire last weekend, but he fell down in the same corner after 33 minutes as the forwards struggled to create space out wide.
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Cardiff led at half-time but trailed 17-10 with 50 minutes remaining when flanker Tanginoa Halaifonua jogged through a gaping hole in midfield before Ibo jumped in for his second.
Towards the end of the game, Stade received a bonus when half-back Thibaut Motassi flicked a pass past substitute forward Juan-Martin Scelzo.
Further tries from Fousans-Bourdette and winger Charles Laroye followed, and Cardiff made a pointless start to the season after being unable to add to Sebastian’s close-range effort.
how they line up
Stade de France: Igbo; Laroy, Marchant, Delbuys, Etienne; Foursans-Bourdette, Abadi; Abramishvili, Nikoteira, Assi, Gabriaguez (captain), Azago, Halefonua, Chapuis, Tanga.
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Substitutes: Albo, Iscaro, Alo-Emile, Celzo, Motasi, Nene, Jonas, Turagakok.
Cardiff: Young; Grady Smit, S Emanuel Stephens; I Lloyd, Bevan; Barratt, E Lloyd, Wainwright, McNally, Thornton, Botham, Basham, Lawrence (captain).
Substitutes: D. Hughes, I. Emmanuel, Sebastian, Knott, Thomas I. Davies, Wilde, E. Evans.
referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant referee: Gene Davison and Stuart Gaffkin (Ireland)
Technology Management Office: Mark Barton (Ireland)