Cardiff went down fighting in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup as Northampton Saints survived a second-half fight back to secure a hard-fought win. 

Nothing stuck for the Blue & Blacks in atrocious first-half conditions at DPD Stadium, Franklin’s Gardens. 

The hosts led 14-0 at the interval following home tries from James Pater and Toby Thame and Corniel van Zyl would have been frustrated by his side’s error count and inaccuracy at key moments. 

But they returned for the second-half rejuvenated and tries from Tom Manz, on debut, and Mason Grady took them right back into the mix. 

Saints hit back to keep themselves in front and in the closing stages Fraser Dingwell crossed to put the result beyond doubt but not secure a bonus-point under the new rules.

Cardiff made nine changes for their return to the top tier of European rugby and were forced into one more before kick-off with Aled Davies withdrawing due to illness.

Van Zyl was still able to field a strong team, with a mix between youth and experience, while giving a core of Wales internationals a weekend off, with a five day turnaround before the URC resumes against Hollywoodbets Sharks. 

It was a daunting trip to the midlands to face the in-form English champions on the back of their impressive win over Bath, in which they scored 11-tries a week ago 

With Saints knocking on from the kick-off, Cardiff controlled the territorial battle in the early exchanges, despite some intelligent kicking from England scrum-half Alex Mitchell. 

However, with torrential rain lashing Franklin’s Gardens, the Blue & Blacks were unable to turn their early field position into meaningful pressure and points. 

The hosts showed their ruthlessness on 12 minutes as they struck on the counter-attack. George Hendy beat Tom Bowen and then sold a beauty of a dummy to beat two men and break clear. 

He then passed inside to James Pater, who had enough in the tank to make it across the whitewash with Anthony Belleau converting.

Saints claimed a second try on 20 minutes with the position earned in fortuitous circumstances. They had appeared to kick aimlessly but the bounce of the ball and a greasy surface saw Mason Grady collect just before the try-line before sliding out of play.

From the ensuing scrum the home side were awarded a free-kick and the ball was quickly moved to the backs with a delayed pass putting Toby Thame over with the French fly-half converting. 

 A break under pressure from Johan Mulder unlocked the Saints defence and was unfortunate not to lead to a try when he found Taulupe Faletau in support. The legendary number eight battled into the Saints twenty-two despite the efforts of the Saints defence. 

The home team soon offended and Cardiff kicked to the corner but in a matter of moments a stolen line-out, a fortuitous offload and a rebound saw the Blue & Blacks defending on their own line. 

They survived unscathed and soon thought they had scored a fine try. A sublime break from Mason Grady laid the platform and Tom Manz powered over before immediately withdrawing for a HIA. 

Jarrod Evans slotted the conversion but the TMO soon intervened to show a ‘clear loss of control’ , which overruled the on field decision and no action was taken on the head contact, which was deemed unclear.

Cardiff rallied and worked their way back into Saints territory but their set-piece continued to miss fire at crucial moments.

They continued to attack from deep as the clock ticked into the red but soon lost shape and settled for a 14-0 deficit at the break. 

Cardiff had numerous options in the opening exchanges of the second half as they continued to cause the hosts problems. 

They were unfortunate not to score on two occasions with Saints getting into the passing channel on the latter, and the hosts were fortunate to remain at 15 men when Evans took a clear shoulder to the head. Daf Hughes asked the referee to look at the incident but the TMO replied that there was nothing clear.

However, Cardiff remained in the redzone and a clever quick-tap set-play saw Harri Millard stretch over with Evans converting. 

It was a just reward for Cardiff, who had been good value throughout the counter despite not benefitted from any of the 50-50s.

The Saints came marching back and enjoyed the benefit of the doubt throughout but Cardiff held firm with defensive heroics. They earned a penalty as they obliterated the hosts driving lineout after they kicked to the corner. 

Cardiff’s remained dogged and determined and a superb touch finder from Evans gave them good attacking position on the hour mark. A scintillating lineout move almost saw Steff Emanuel slice over and after a succession of phases Anthony Belleau was sent to the bin. 

Cardiff tapped and after four phases, the home side ran out of numbers and Grady dived over in the right-hand corner. 

Evans’ touchline conversion fell agonisingly short and that was his last act as Callum Sheedy was introduced, but the try set up a thrilling finale. 

However, Cardiff were dealt a blow when the home side again displayed their clinical edge, scoring from their first real opportunity in the half. It came from the restart as Sam Wainwright was penalised for blocking. 

The hosts went to the corner and eventually moved to the backs with Hendy scoring despite not having control of the ball until he grounded.  Pater converted to make it 21-12 with 15 minutes remaining 

Cardiff had opportunities and Josh Adams was tackled into the corner when Grady and Young combined to escape from their own 22. Adams did not quite have the legs to out run Hendy as he looked for support.  

Saints turned the screw in the final quarter but they were met by a resolute Cardiff who battled for everything until Dingwell crossed.