The Blues comfortably defeated a depleted Munster, and welcomed back Wales 2005 Grand Slam star Tom Shanklin following a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury. Shanklin played the final twenty minutes of a match which always looked liked finishing with a win for the home side, and displayed the kind of strong running ability that has made him such a favourite at the Arms Park.
There were no tries in a Blues dominated first-half, the home side going into the interval 9-3 to the good, and it was in the second half that the Blues’s possession and territory finally converted to tries.
Scores from man-of-the-match Scott Morgan and Chris Czekaj put the game beyond the reach of Munster – who were without a host of key Ireland internationals – but take nothing away from the home side; this was a disciplined performance epitomised by an excellent match for Martyn Williams despite him being at fault for Tim Ryan’s consolation try in the 72nd minute.
Newport Gwent Dragons capped a great opening night for Wales in fantastic comeback fashion when they travelled to Hughenden and snatched a 24-23 win over Glasgow Warriors.
They prevented Glasgow recording a win in front of their home fans after trailing for the majority of the match. Going in 20-12 down at the end of the first half, they clawed their way back into the match with a Mike Hercus drop goal and a pair of second half penalties from Ceri Sweeney.
A late penalty from the home side put their noses in front again before a last gasp penalty from Sweeney stole the match and four points for the Dragons.
