Blues set up Toulouse clash

Quarter-final line-up

Cardiff beat Bristol 17-0 to claim a Heineken Cup quarter-final berth for the first time since 2001, but their failure to claim a bonus point means they must travel to face French giants Toulouse in April.

The Blues had two tries and a 14-0 lead at half-time but in soggy conditions at the Memorial Ground they could not force the two extra scores they needed.

The consequence of that is they must travel rather than hosting Toulouse at the Millennium Stadium, although after this impressive road display against a decent Bristol outfit, an away quarter-final may not be that daunting a prospect.

Both sides played plenty of ambitious, attacking rugby despite the conditions, but the Blues won this game up front and in the contact area, with Martyn Williams in particular outstanding.

The game was scoreless for more than half an hour but that was deceptive - the entertainment value was high and three 'tries' were ruled out.

On six minutes Luke Arscottt appeared to have produced the perfectly-angled run to take Anthony Elliott's delivery only for the score to be scrubbed off for a forward pass.

Forward

Ten minutes later is was Cardiff's turn to be denied after another superb handling move from inside their own half; this time Tom Shanklin's pass to Roberts was ruled forward.

Both calls were correct but the build-up play in both moves was impressive.

Next it was Martyn Williams' turn to miss out as he crashed over in the corner only for TV replays to show his knee was on the touchline as he touched down.

By the half hour mark Cardiff were beginning to get a grip on the game and with their forwards constantly breaking the gain line they earned a penalty close to the Bristol line, only for the normally reliable Ben Blair to miss a simple kick at goal.

But the breakthrough finally arrived moments later and it was the forwards who created it. Gareth Thomas almost scored in the corner but knocked on in the tackle and Bristol looked to have survived, only for the ball to pop out of their under-pressure scrum. Maama Molitika scooped it up and crashed over and Cardiff had a 7-0 lead.

In injury time they doubled their advantage after brilliant contact work from Martyn Williams, as he turned former England hooker Mark Regan in the tackle 'judo-style' to earn a penalty for holding on.

Blindside

The ball was dabbed into the corner and off the scrum Gareth Thomas hit the blindside at pace with an angled run and crashed over in the corner. Blair kicked the goal from the touchline and the lead was 14-0.

On 51 minutes Cardiff decided to wrap up the win they needed rather than go all out for tries and Blair obliged with a penalty.

The remaining half hour was one of mild frustration for the visitors as they failed to create the pressure or chances that could have forced another score.

But they have done superbly to top a tough group and there was plenty of celebrating from the visiting fans at the final whistle. They will be looking forward to a trip to southern France possibly with slightly more relish than the players.