HEINEKEN CUP, POOL THREE Biarritz (22) 35 Tries: Bidabe 2, Chouchan, Balan Cons: Yachvili 3 Pens: Yachvili 3 Cardiff Blues (13) 20 Tries: Morgan, G Williams, N Robinson Cons: I Harris Pens: I Harris Iestyn Harris column

Craig Morgan's try after just 30 seconds gave Blues the perfect start, but Biarritz came back well.

Phillipe Bidabe scored two tries for the French team, the second an absolute corker which saw him beat four Blues men in the process.

As well as Morgan, Gareth Williams and Nicky Robinson scored for Cardiff, but Blues remain rock-bottom of pool three.

Didier Chouchan and Petru Balan also scored tries for Biarritz, with Dimitri Yachvili converting three of the scores and slotting over three penalties.

Blues' poor disciplinary record continued with replacement backrower Rob Appleyard and lock Craig Quinnell both going to the sin-bin.

Cardiff Blues coach David Young said indiscipline had been his side's downfall.

"I thought in the first half, we were the better team, but they stepped up the pace after the interval and we were made to pay for our ill-discipline," he said.

"We played for 20 minutes with only 14 men, although it says a lot for the spirit of the side that in the last half-hour, we didn't concede a try.

"Our blindside defence was exposed on a couple of occasions, but there were a lot of positives to be taken from this.

"We arrived here on the back of a 75-point hammering last year, and we leave here with our tails up and looking forward to the return game at the Arms Park on Saturday."

Biarritz: N Brusque; P Bernat-Salles, M Stcherbina, J Isaac, J Marlu; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; P Balan, J Gonzalez, D Avril, J Thion, D Couzinet, S Betsen, O Tonita, T Lievremont.
Replacements: D Minassian, M Fitzgerald, H Manent, D Chouchan, L Mazas, G Bousses, P Bidabe.

Blues: Rhys Williams; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Craig Morgan; Iestyn Harris, Ryan Powell; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Ben Evans, Craig Quinnell, Andy Moore, Jim Brownrigg, Nathan Thomas, Martyn Williams (capt).
Replacements: Kenneth Fourie, Darren Crompton, Rhys Thomas, Heino Senekal, Rob Appleyard, Andrew Moore, Nick Robinson.

Referee: Dave Pearson (England).