Cardiff 14-6 Sale: Blues close in on quarter finals

Cardiff Blues boosted their hopes of a European Challenge Cup quarter-final place by beating Sale Sharks 14-6 at the Arms Park.

Wales internationals Gareth Anscombe and Matthew Morgan combined to score the Blues' points which put them clear in Pool Two.

They now lead Lyon by four points with two games to go, while Toulouse are a further point behind and Sale prop up the group.

Anscombe kicked three penalties with Morgan pouncing for the game's solitary try.

Wet and windy conditions never allowed for a free-flowing spectacle, but the Blues had enough in their armoury to keep Sale at bay.

And they were driven to victory by an impressive performance from back-row forward Josh Navidi, who carried his strong autumn Test form for Wales into this encounter.

In the weekend's other Challenge Cup games, Gloucester beat Zebre 69-12 in Kingsholm.

The Cherry and Whites crossed for 11 tries with David Halaifonua (2), Freddie Clarke, Will Safe, Charlie Sharples, Cameron Orr and Motu Matu'u also going over.

That sees Johan Ackermann's side sit second in the pool on 16 points after four games, three points adrift of leaders Pau.

Tony Ensor's last-minute converted try saw Stade Francais sneak a 26-20 win at London Irish in Pool 4.

Romain Martial scored an early try for the visitors but Scott Steele went over for the Exiles with Greig Tonks' conversion and penalty giving them a 10-5 half-time lead.

They extended that advantage with a penalty try before a Heinke van der Merwe try, converted by Shane Geraghty, reduced the deficit.

Waisea Vuidravuwalu's try, improved on by Geraghty, edged the French ahead but the Exiles reclaimed the lead through a Tonks penalty three minutes from the end before they were cruelly denied at the death.

Matt Healy scored four tries of his own as Connacht maintained their 100 per cent record in Pool 5 with a comfortable 55-10 triumph over Brive.

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Jack Carty added a try to his seven conversions and two penalties for a personal haul of 25 points.

Kieran Marmion and Thomas Farrell went over for the other tries for the Irish province.