Josh Adams has expressed his immense pride in Cardiff’s young guard as they gave their all against defending European champions Toulouse.
Devoid of 42 players due to quarantine, injury and suspension, Cardiff fielded a patched up team with Adams one of just a handful of regulars.
Eleven players made their debut in the 7-39 defeat and Adams had nothing but praise for his new teammates, who answered the club’s call in extreme adversity.
Adams said: “It was good and I really enjoyed it. Some of the youngsters who were asked to step up, I am super proud of them because they were excellent and didn’t look out of place at all.
“It was a great day and occasion for them to have all their family and friends here. They held their own and were terrific.
“As long as you keep talking to them throughout the game. At the end of the day they are professional rugby players or are going to be professional rugby players so they understand the game pretty well and it’s just a case of giving them confidence.
“They know exactly what is expected of them and their role. There was no pressure on them and I’m just super proud of them. It was a great day for them and that’s a great building block for them and will give them confidence to kick on.”
Adams gave Cardiff almost the perfect start when they responded to a pair of Romain Ntamack penalties with the game’s first try.
Jason Tovey converted but they were to be the Blue and Blacks last points as Toulouse ran in five of their own, the fifth after full-back Jacob Beetham was shown red.
The 19-year-old, one of 11 debutants, had enjoyed a fine game and did not look out of place but he caught a Antoine Miquel with a shoulder to the chin and despite the scrum-half appearing to dip it was not deemed a mitigating factor by referee Karl Dickson.
It was a blemish on Beetham’s scoresheet but Adams insists he could take immense proud in the performance, which saw him top Cardiff’s metre’s gained chart with 82 - only World Player of the Year and Heineken Star of the Game, Antoine Dupont made more.
Adams continued: “We always knew there would be a backlash after scoring, Toulouse are a fantastic team and there were going to be moments when we were under the pump.
“But, whoever scored the try, we wanted to make it an occasion for everyone and celebrate it together as a team. It was a great buzz to be able to celebrate with all the boys because it’s not often you get those opportunities.
“We probably left a couple out there. It’s a cliche but we certainly could have scored one or two more."
Talking of Beetham’s red card and his words of wisdom, he added: “It was the first standing ovation for a red card that I’ve seen! I said ‘no matter what the outcome is, you have been outstanding and can hold your head high after today’s performance’.
“It is really difficult and you never want to see a youngster like that, on debut, who has been fantastic all afternoon to be sent off at the end. It’s unfortunate but it didn’t mean anything and he will learn from it moving forward.”
Next up for Cardiff, who are not set to welcome any of their quarantined players back, is a trip to English champions Harlequins next Saturday.
Adams added: “Another tough challenge against the English champions next week so it doesn’t get any easier. We will regroup, the boys that made their debuts deserve to celebrate with their families and enjoy this time and then we’ll dust the cobwebs off and go again.”