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Jonah Holmes plunges over for one of his four tries against Pau last weekend
Cardiff Blues’ and Leicester Tigers’ first meeting in the European Rugby Challenge Cup will undoubtedly bring back memories of their famous 26-26 draw in the 2009 European Cup semi-final, which Leicester won via an historic penalty shoot-out.
There won’t be any such repeat at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, but it still promises to be a mouth-watering encounter, with the two teams locked on five points at the top of Pool 5 after bonus-point victories in Round 1.
Key facts
- Cardiff, two-time winners of the Challenge Cup, have won 12 of their 13 home games in the tournament.
- Leicester, double European Cup champions, have lost their last 10 away games in European competition, but this is their first Challenge Cup tie on foreign soil.
- Leicester wing Jonah Holmes, scorer of four tries in the Tigers’ 41-20 home victory over Pau last weekend, made the most metres of any player (130) in Round 1.
Cardiff Blues' @SebDaviess is fully focused on Saturday’s blockbuster Challenge Cup clash against Leicester Tigers, despite being called up to the Wales squad for next week’s match against Barbarians.
📰https://t.co/71EpzUOx4l pic.twitter.com/Jvuh3jzc7x
— Cardiff Blues (@cardiff_blues) November 21, 2019
Jordan Coghlan of Leicester Tigers goes over to score his side's first try /Getty
Leicester Tigers fly-half Tom Hardwick landed a dramatic penalty in the dying seconds to defeat Cardiff 14-11 and send his side top of Pool 5 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The sides were locked at 11-11 from the hour mark after Hardwick had wiped out his side’s three-point half-time deficit.
Both sides came close to pinching it with tries and Aled Summerhill was denied a late winner when he put a foot in touch after a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Tigers’ young replacement Sam Costelow but then up stepped Harwick with the decisive blow when Cardiff were caught offside.
GAME OVER.
Passion. Pride. Patience.
What a victory for this young Tigers side.#CARvLEI 🔵🐯 #ChallengeCupRugby 🏆 pic.twitter.com/B57EBGlkwI
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) November 23, 2019
Cardiff had opened up much the brighter and led 6-0 within the first 25 minutes as fly-half Jarrod Evans landed a brace of penalties.
The game really sprang into life after that with two tries in three minute spell after the half-hour.
First Tigers number eight Jordan Coughlan rounded off smart approach work from Ben White but the Blues had an instant response as Aled Summerhill collected replacement Jason Tovey precision crossfield kick to score on the left flank.
— Cardiff Blues (@cardiff_blues) November 23, 2019
Tom Hardwick was on target with a penalty a minute from the break to send the sides in for the break with Cardiff holding a fragile 11-8 advantage.
Leicester host Rugby Calvisano in their next game on Saturday, December 7 while Cardiff receive Pau at the Arms Park that evening.
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