Key's Leeds have won four of their five European games

Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Andy Key believes their 38-16 victory at Parma in the Challenge Cup will prove a timely morale booster.

The bonus-point win puts Leeds on the verge of qualification from Pool One and serves as welcome relief from their disappointing league form to date.

"This win gives us massive heart for the rest of the season," Key told BBC Radio Leeds.

"This win shows how the squad is maturing and developing."

Leeds are joint top of Pool One along with Bourgoin, with the French outfit coming to Headingley on Sunday in a straight winner-takes-all match.

"We had some stand-out performers in this match which will serve us well in the going games. Cieron Thomas [fly-half] was outstanding and fully deserved his man of the match. The likes of Lee Blackett, Scott Mathie and Marco Wentzel were all excellent too," explained Key.

"If you add that to the performers of some of our younger players in the likes of Luther Burrell, Jacob Rowan and Ton Denton it all looks good for the following weeks.

"To be successful this season it will be down to a whole squad effort not just 15 players and it's good to give some of the other players in games like this.

"This cup competition has helped us to develop our style of game and to put in the kind of performance we know we need to then put in in the Premiership.

The match in Italy also marked the return of scrum-half Joe Bedford, who has been out with a broken foot for three months.

"It was fantastic to see Joe back on the field. He's worked very hard to get back and everyone is pleases to see him back. He came on for the last 25 minutes and did very well."

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