Jamie Roberts Cardiff 2009 David Clerihew/Red Bull Photofiles

Jamie Roberts played a pivotal role in helping Cardiff Blues become the first Welsh team to win a European trophy, as they defeated Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup in Marseille.

Cardiff ran out 28-21 winners, but had to come back from a 13-6 half time deficit against opponents who lost Jonny Wilkinson to an injury early in the second half.

Roberts set Cardiff on the way to a famous comeback win when he surged over for the opening try of the second half and Ben Blair converted to level the scores.

Wilkinson’s replacement, Tom May, then edged Toulon into the lead with a penalty before Blair replied in kind to keep the scores level as the match entered the final quarter.

In stifling conditions at the Stade Velodrome there were some weary bodies on display and both sides made changes to freshen things up and it gave the impetus to the Blues as first Leigh Halfpenny and then Bradley Davies went over to give Cardiff the lead.

'It's incredible, amazing to be a part of' – Jamie Roberts

Roberts played a key role in Davies’s try and subsequent conversions gave the Blues a 28-16 lead heading into the last 10 minutes.

Toulon launched a series of desperate attacks in the hope of getting back into it, as they had done successfully in their semi final win over Clermont Auvergne, but this time they were unable to do quite enough.

They did manage a try from Saurice, but May failed with the conversion and the Blues held on for a historic win, which Roberts was delighted to have been a part of.

"It's incredible – absolutely fantastic and amazing to be a part of. Just for all the fans, players and coaches alike. It was pretty eventful," Roberts said after the match.

"To score in a game of that magnitude is awesome and it's great to see the try scorers coming from the Blues academy.

"Myself, Leigh Halfpenny and Bradley Davies are young guys who have come up through the system. That in itself shows great testament to the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes at Cardiff Blues over the last five or six years."

For more information on Jamie Roberts, click here.


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