POSITIVES TO TAKE FROM PARIS DEFEAT

CAPTAIN captain Alun Lawrence maintains there were plenty of positives for his side to take out of Saturday's 38-17 defeat to Stade Francais in Paris.

- STEFFAN THOMAS Rugby Correspondent [e-mail]

Head coach Corniel van Zyl made wholesale changes to his squad with the likes of fullback Matty Young and wing Elijah Evans all making their European debuts.

Cardiff fronted up well in the first half and held a narrow lead at the interval before Stade Francais cut loose after the break.

"They (Stade Francais) are an exciting team, the way they move the ball in and out of hand, especially in that second half," Lawrence told the Cardiff Rugby website.

"Of course it causes problems, puts us under pressure. But I'm really proud of the boys.

"It's a young group, with three debutants, boys coming back from injuries, and a couple making their first starts. They dug in really well.

"At no point did we ever throw the towel in - kept knocking on the door. So we're disappointed, gutted, but really proud at the same time.

"These are days where boys learn so much.

"Spectacles like today, European campaigns, they're moments that stand out in careers.

"For him (Matty Young) to get his first start, get on the scoreboard, set one up for Iwan (Stephens) on his return from injury - it's great to see.