WHAT WE LEARNED FOM THE BLUES’ PLAY-OFF DEFEAT IN PARIS

CARDIFF Blues’ campaign ended on a real low when their hopes of reaching Europe’s Champions Cup by the backdoor evaporated after they were walloped 46-21 by Stade Francais in Paris. So where did it go wrong? BLUES STARTED AS THOUGH THEY MEANT BUSINESS Stade had made nine changes from the team which had demolished Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard’s Gloucester in the final of Europe’s second-tier Challenge Cup at Murrayfield and took time to settle.

By that stage they were 14-3 behind after conceding two well-worked tries. Centre Willis Halaholo sparked the first with a blistering burst out of defence for lock Macauley Cook to score the first of his two tries.

A quick line-out led to their second score with No.8 Nick Williams proving unstoppable from closerange following a sustained attack. COACH DANNY WILSON BELIEVED A HIGH-SPEED GAME WOULD BE BLUES BEST CHANCE OF WINNING Initially, it looked like his masterplan may pay dividends as their speed of thought and willingness to shift the ball quickly gave Stade major problems.

But, once the former French champions had found their feet, it was a different story because that type of game actually suited them as they were more skilled and creative with the ball.

Despite the probing and the danger posed by Halaholo, Stade were more dangerous on the hoof and the result was seven tries. DEFENDING WAS AN ISSUE FOR THE BLUES. Conceding seven tries and 43 points in the final 48 minutes says it all with Blues offering Stade so much space and time on the ball it was inevitable they would be punished.

However, in mitigation, Blues suffered disruption just before kickoff and during the early stages of a fast-moving and exciting encounter at Stade Jean Bouin. Tom James had been due to make his first start for the Blues in two months but pulled out during the warm-up. Wales Under-20 star Rhun Williams was promoted to the starting line-up but only lasted six minutes, damaging his right ankle and having to be replaced on the left-wing by Garyn Smith.

A few minutes later they also lost Samoa international Rey Lee-Lo, Steve Shingler coming on at centre. Losing the pace of James was a blow but even more so was being deprived of the reliable and strong defending of Lee-Lo and Williams. Too many holes opened up in the three-quarters and Stade gleefully took advantage of them to run away with it. SERGIO PARISSE IS A GENIUS If he was a New Zealander the No.8 colossus may have been hailed as the greatest forward in rugby history.

But Parisse has had the misfortune of playing for an Italy team which struggles to compete in the Six Nations and at the World Cup despite his brilliance. At times he’s resembled a one-man team for the Azzurri and one can only imagine the damage he would have done if he was an All Black. Parisse was at the heart of virtually everything Stade did and his speed of thought and skill brought an unforgettable moment.

Blues seemed on the point of scoring but he intercepted Lloyd Williams’ pass in the Stade 22. Parisse knew he wouldn’t get far so looked left and put in a pin-point cross-kick, which led to hooker Laurent Panis scoring. Move over Barry John, Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett, it was up there with any attacking kick they’ve put in. WARREN GATLAND WILL BE RELIEVED? In one way yes, in another no. Gatland would have wanted the Blues to beat Stade and win the playoff final for the remaining place in next season’s Champions Cup.

But, if the Blues had got past the French aristocrats, it may have led to a tricky dilemma with the possibility of Sam Warburton being fit to play by next weekend. Would Gatland have wanted his Lions captain to feature in a match just a few days before departure to New Zealand?

Blues would almost certainly have wanted Sam the man because a Champions Cup place is worth so much more than being in the second-tier Challenge Cup and something not to be sniffed at.

But, with the Blues bombing out, we’ll never know what would have happened.