The Welsh capital venue has seen many great moments over the past four decades such as Wales legend Gareth Edwards’ dramatic late drop-goal against the Barbarians in 1976 and All Black megastar Jonah Lomu’s debut for the Blues three years ago.
But there was no fond farewell for the Blues who will become tenants of football counterparts Cardiff City at their new £48m, 27,000 stadium next season.
In fact, the finale turned into a disaster for the 11,212 home crowd after Toulon-bound Jamie Robinson was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on with the visitors set to score.
Irish official Simon McDowell awarded the penalty try before Edinburgh capitalised on the extra man with two quick-fire tries from centres Ben Cairns and Nick De Luca.
Robinson returned but Phil Godman and De Luca compounded the misery as Edinburgh secured the runners-up spot behind Magners League champions Munster.
It could have been all so different when the Robinson brothers combined for the opening try in the fifth minute.
Robinson senior Jamie seized on Edinburgh scrum-half Greig Laidlaw’s wayward pass and fed Nicky who coasted home on his final appearance before moving to Gloucester.
Fly-half Robinson, on stand-by for the Lions, then turned provider on the half hour for wing Chris Czekaj who fended off Phil Godman’s weak tackle to score under the posts.
But then the turning point came in the 46th minute when Robinson was yellow carded for a knock-on from an offside position before Edinburgh ran riot for an emphatic victory.
