EPCR Challenge Cup: Cardiff Rugby player ratings vs USA Perpignan: Sherratt’s Cardiff stunned after narrow defeat in Europe

Cardiff Rugby were outmuscled in Northern Catalonia as Perpignan picked up their first win of this season’s Challenge Cup. Tries from Tommaso Allen, Tavite Veredamu and Lucas Velarte saw the Top 14 side record a narrow 23-20 win at a sun-drenched but windy Stade Aime Giral. 

However, after a quiet start, the Blue and Blacks did make proceedings interesting throughout the second half as tries from Rey Lee-Lo and Johan Mulder saw Cardiff pick another losing bonus point in France. 

USA Perpignan: 23

Tries: Tommaso Allen (39), Tavite Veredamu (49), Lucas Velarte (61)

Conversions: Tommaso Allen (40)

Penalties: Tommaso Allen (3, 48)

Yellow Cards: Jack McIntyre (64)

Cardiff Rugby: 20

Tries: Rey Lee-Lo (43), Johan Mulder (69)

Conversions: Tinus de Beer (43, 70) 

Penalties: Tinus de Beer (35, 53)

 

1-Rhys Barratt: 5

He made his first start for the Blue and Blacks despite having a slow start at scrum where the hosts looked to be capitalising, but the 22-year-old grew into the game and turned that poor start around. He carried well and, on 60 minutes, was replaced by Danny Southworth.

2- Evan Lloyd: 4

He probably can count himself lucky with the new lineout rule being if it’s uncontested and not straight, it’s play on, as the hooker did have a slow start to proceedings at lineout time. He had a great start to the second half where he won a penalty which resulted in putting his side on the front foot. In defence he was solid and was utilised well in attack but overall was average for someone who will be looking at getting into the Welsh team come next week. 

3- Kieron Assiratti: 5

Quite a quiet performance by the tighthead which ended on the hour mark but put in a decent shift. He was great at scrum time using his experience well but that was really it as he didn’t do much in attack. 

4- Josh McNally : 5

Made his return to the starting XV and has been a crucial part of Cardiff’s success this season. However, he had a quiet performance but predominantly was doing a lot of the unseen work at the breakdown. 

5- Teddy Williams (C): 6 

He set the tone for the defence of Cardiff and noticeably he showed his strength in stopping Apisai Naqalevu from crossing early in the second half. Overall led from the front, had his moments but that was really it. 

6- Alex Mann: 5

Made his return to the starting lineup but like many of the players had a quiet game which gives him a low rating. Despite playing the full 80 did a lot of the unseen work and in defence was great value at times.   

7- Dan Thomas: 5

Another one in the pack that had a quiet game, he was solid around the breakdown area and carried well when in attack but again wasn’t the best of performances like many of the forwards. 

8- Alun Lawrence: 7 

Probably one of the standout performers of this Cardiff side this afternoon with his work rate being incredible. In defence he was a great asset and even in attack he read plays well and when he needed to go into contact, he got over the gain line. 

9- Aled Davies: 6 

It was a good performance by Davies, he was switched on when in attack as he was always on the lookout to exploit gaps in the hosts defence. He wasn’t shy in defence but was taken off on 60 minutes, but you must make the argument about him being selected in the Welsh squad for the Six Nations.  

10- Tinus de Beer: 7

Another one that had a standout performance this afternoon mainly from the tee as he went 4/4 and has probably given head coach Matt Sherratt some selection headaches for the game against Connacht next week. But there be some injury concerns he limped off with just minutes left on the clock.

11- Tom Bowen: 6 

Under the high the ball he was quality pressurising the Perpignan backline and in attack he was a great asset. At times in defence, he was narrow but overall had a great showing and for someone who at the start of the season was an unknown for many of us, he is definitely making the argument of being a regular starter for this Cardiff side on a weekly basis. 

12- Rory Jennings: 5 

Out of all the backline probably had one of the quieter performances but in defence he was quality especially when replacement Naqalevu came on the pitch he wasn’t shying away and did not allow him to get over the gain line.  

13- Rey Lee-Lo: 7

The 38-year-old was solid around the breakdown causing the hosts a lot of problems by being a real nuisance. Like his partner in the centre, he was great quality in defence and on 43 minutes crossed the whitewash after showing some pace to power over.  

14- Regan Grace: 5 

The Rugby League convert who had joined from Bath on Monday began his life as a Cardiff player probably not the way he would’ve wanted too. This was down to the fact of knocking the ball on over the tryline on 9 minutes which allowed the hosts to put early pressure on the defence of the Blue and Blacks. When he did have ball in hand, he looked decent but overall was a quiet afternoon for the new signing.  However there may be some concern for selection next week as he did go off relatively early in the second half 

15- Cam Winnett: 4

Probably playing for a place in the starting XV for Wales in Six Nations, Winnett looked to be making the argument for exactly that but he is probably hoping that Warren Gatland and his team were not watching as there was nothing eye catching apart from the odd break in attack.

Replacements: 

16- Dafydd Hughes: 6

17- Danny Southworth: 4 

18- Will Davies-King: 4 

19- Seb Davies: 4 

20- Mackenzie Martin: 5 

21- Johan Mulder: 6 

22- Ben Thomas: 4 

23- Jacob Beetham: 5