HEIEKEN CUP POOL THREE Blues (13) 21 Tries: J Robinson, G Williams Con: N Robinson Pens: N Robinson (3) Biarritz (15) 20 Tries: Couzinet (2), Tonita Con: Yachvili Pen: Yachvili Att: 4,974

But only a wayward conversion attempt by Biarritz's Dimitri Yachvili allowed the home side to celebrate a win.

Gareth Williams and Jamie Robinson crossed for the Blues' tries, with the other points coming from Nick Robinson's boot.

Biarritz scored three tries, but Yachvili's simple late miss let the Blues off the hook.

The home side began disastrously as fly-half Robinson sent his kick-off direct into touch.

The resultant scrum brought Biarritz a penalty which Yachvili slotted over.

But the Blues hit back immediately through Williams' converted try.

Tom Shanklin made a half-break to send full-back Rhys Williams through a gap, he fed namesake Martyn and the third Williams, hooker Gareth, raced over out wide.

Biarritz regained the lead midway through the half, when Romanian flanker Ovidiu Tonita was at the front of a driving ball, with Yachvili adding the extra points.

The scrum-half was off target with a 40-yard penalty, but the French pack claimed another try when lock David Couzinet was forced over.

Robinson slotted over two penalties to trail by two points at the interval.

We were fortunate that they missed that late conversion, but I thought we were the better side Blues coach Dai Young

The home side's sense of adventure was rewarded early in the second period when they opted to run a penalty in front of the posts and centre Jamie Robinson crossed wide on the right.

Brother Nick pulled the conversion wide, but put over a long penalty minutes later.

Biarritz lost Couzinet to the sin bin for kneeing Craig Quinnell, but escaped a double punishment when Robinson's penalty struck a post.

The Blues were unable to take advantage of the extra man and once Biarritz were back to full strength they laid siege to the home line.

Twice their forwards were held up after crossing, but eventually the brave Blues defence was breached a minute from time.

Couzinet claimed his second touchdown, but Yachvili somehow missed the simple conversion that would have given the French victory.

Blues: Rhys Williams; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Craig Morgan; Nick Robinson, 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, Matt Allen.

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