Danny Wilson has paid tribute to Cardiff Blues' guts and determination after they claimed a historic victory over Toulouse to stay top of their European Challenge Cup pool.
The Blues went into the encounter at Stade Ernest Wallon on the back of a bonus-point victory over Lyon but still as underdogs.
However they matched the French giants’ physicality and battled back from a five-point half-time deficit to snatch a memorable victory thanks to a Macauley Cook try, which was converted by Jarrod Evans.
Wilson said: "I thought our players were outstanding. To come out and guts it out at a venue like this, against a team like this, was superb and that's with a lot of young players out there as well.
"The boys showed huge character and commitment to show what a tight group of players they are to come away with a famous win.
“It was a great try with Jarrod making a little break, Dillon putting it through his hands really well for a good score.
"That second half was mainly us. We held territory and possession and will probably look back and say we should have scored a few more points, if I'm honest.
“But any win out in Toulouse, against this kind of team away from home is fantastic achievement and hopefully one we can build on.”
The victory ensures Wilson’s side remain atop of Pool Two, on nine points, five points ahead of nearest rivals Lyon with Sale Sharks next up in Europe.
However, attention now turns back to the Guinness PRO14 with another clash on the road against reigning champions the Scarlets on Saturday.
Wilson added: “This competition is usually about finding some momentum and if you do that early on then you never know. We did well to get out of our group last year to make a quarter-final and that will certainly be our aim again.
“We’ve picked two different teams and come away with two wins against two French teams who make up the top two of the Top14.
“They are two big wins for us and obviously it’s great to sit at the top of the pool but there’s a long way to go.
“That’s four wins in our last five games and now we go onto a derby next week – hopefully we can go there as big underdogs and give it a real go.”
Following the Guinness PRO14 clash with the Scarlets, the Blues return to Cardiff Arms Park on November 4, when they take on Connacht. Tickets for Cardiff Blues v Connacht, and their next home game against Zebre are on sale now.