Danny Wilson was delighted with his side's attacking form, as Cardiff Blues kicked off their European campaign with a bonus point home win over Top 14 leaders, Lyon.
George Earle and Tomos Williams crossed the whitewash to send the Blues in with a 14-point lead at half time, before scores by Macauley Cook and Rey Lee-Lo put the game beyond doubt.
Having secured back-to-back bonus point victories at Cardiff Arms Park, Wilson believes his side can travel to France with confidence ahead of next week’s clash against four-times Heineken Cup winners, Toulouse.
“Most importantly I thought we were really dominant in the first half and probably thinking how we came in at half time not being further ahead,” said Wilson.
“I thought we played some good rugby in the first half and then second half it fell away a little bit and the tempo of the game went out of it, which doesn’t suit us as we want to play the game at a higher speed.
“After that long injury, we almost started again and conceded a try which was disappointing, but to get a bonus point win against a side that, regardless of what they brought, are top of the league in France as we know.
“We picked up a bonus point win at home to start the campaign so it’s been a pleasing night to back up the bonus point win last week against Dragons.
“You can only play what’s in front of you and I thought we played well enough tonight.
“We scored four tries, could’ve scored more and it’s a positive night and one we’ll enjoy. Now there’s a patch-up job to be done before we go out to play Toulouse.
“What a great place to play, first of all, on the back of a bonus point win at home, a huge challenge as we all know as I think we’re more accustomed to seeing them in the Champions Cup.
“We’ll go there motivated to play a style of rugby a score tries - we’ve scored ten tries in the past two games so we’ll go there with the same intent, while being aware of the challenge.
“We didn’t play some boys tonight who might come back into contention next week, boys who deserved and needed a bit of a blow, and that week off might do them the world of good, so we’ll be confident going out to Toulouse.”
Garyn Smith was one of ten Cardiff Blues changes going into tonight’s game, replacing Willis Halaholo as Lee-Lo’s midfield partner.
Smith was voted the Heineken Man of the Match for his outstanding contributions in both attack and defence, and Wilson was pleased to see the 22-year-old make an impact on his return to the starting line-up.
Wilson said: “We know Garyn as a good defender, but what was pleasing tonight was his attacking game, which has improved.
“He found plenty of space and holes that he could create problems and get us on the front foot, which was good to see.
“Again, we need to strengthen that area, with Jack Roberts picking a nasty injury in his first game for us out in Munster, so it was good to see Garyn out there playing well.”