Jonny Goodridge insits Cardiff can take the positives from their defeat against Leinster in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The Blue & Blacks should have led going into half-time following the first of two Harri Millard tries and a close range effort from Thomas Young. 

But Leinster struck on the stroke of half-time and went on to score 28 unanswered points before a comeback from Cardiff.

The Irish province remain unbeaten in the URC and despite the defeat, Goodridge believes there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. 

The Cardiff assistant coach said: “I think there’s a lot positives. We controlled the game pretty well and put a kicking plan in place in the first half quite well. We varied up our kicking, put them under a bit of pressure, but ultimately we didn’t have enough ball in the first half, and we were defending and defending and defending, which we did really, really well. 

“It was just sort of very quick moments towards the end of the first half, and then first 5-10, minutes in the second half that allowed them to get away.

“But I’m really pleased with how we got a bonus point off the back of it, and it probably could have been two points. 

“Something that Gethin spoke about before the game is just the fight that we have for each other, how close we can be, how we can work for each other for that full 80 minutes. I think we really showed in that first half, with the amount of defending the boys had to do, helped hold them up over the line a couple of times. 

“We can’t be satisfied and happy with losing, but you’ve got to take the positives where they are and to get bonus point and to put in an all round performance was pleasing. 

“We just didn’t get enough ball to go to put them under pressure consistently. Jockey speaks about it all the time, the amount of bonus points we got last year from close losses or bonus points. 

“They do add up. It’s another one here today.  It’s then moving those little bonus points into two points, or even, you know, the four or five points.”

Just nine points separate fourth from 15th in the URC table with Cardiff currently sixth. They return to action at the Arms Park for a crucial encounter against Emirates Lions on March 21.

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