Northampton Saints 28 Cardiff Rugby 12: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Cardiff embraced their underdog tag as they took the fight to Saints, but they were lacking the bite they needed to take the lead at any point.

That the Welsh side were never ahead in the game owed much to their faltering lineout, which cost them possession inside the Saints 22 on a couple of key occasions.

But it also owed much to the defence of the black, green and gold, who were in determined mood, producing some goal-line stands under huge pressure.

Cardiff did eventually get the Gardens nerves properly jangling early in the second period as they remained undeterred after going in at half-time 14-0 down.

They kept their belief, and that confidence only grew when they grabbed two scores to cut the gap to just two points.

And with Anthony Belleau having been sin-binned, the away outfit sensed their chance to deliver a huge Investec Champions Cup upset.

At that point though, the home supporters recognised their side needed some help.

The noise levels were lifted from the stands, and the performance levels were subsequently lifted on the pitch.

Saints raised their intensity and found a way to get some breathing space back, with George Hendy juggling a Fraser Dingwall pass on his way to the line.

It wasn’t over though, and Hendy had to be so alert and so quick to get back to stop Josh Adams when it looked like the Wales international was certain to score on the left.

Dingwall then finished the job with a delightful run to the line, leaving Saints with just seconds to try to bag the bonus-point try under the competition’s new rules.

But Cardiff, to their credit, stopped Saints from getting out of their own half from the kick-off.

Conditions had completely changed as the teams headed out before the game began, meaning both sides had to adjust their respective game plans.

However, you felt it would have a bigger impact on the black, green and gold, such is the slick nature of the style they like to play with.

They want to move the ball fast, but it’s so difficult to do that when the thing you’re trying to catch at speed resembles a bar of soap in a shower.

Knock-ons were no surprise and neither was the gritty nature of a Cardiff team who were hungry to rattle the cage of the English champions.

On a weekend when Gallagher PREM sides suffered in the Champions Cup, Saints were desperate to avoid adding their name to that unwanted list.

And, thanks to Hendy’s heroics and their ability to deal with pressure moments, the black, green and gold safely navigated this potentially perilous opening-night fixture.

Even tougher tests are to come during the pool stages, with two tricky trips to France on the schedule.

But for now, Saints can return to PREM matters safe in the knowledge that their European campaign has started on the right foot.

How they rated…

JAMES PATER – was in the wars as he took a series of hits, eventually being withdrawn late on, but prior to that he showed good strength to score and he was largely secure… 7.5

OLLIE SLEIGHTHOLME – there were few chances to have the kind of impact he had against Bath eight days earlier, but he did what he needed to do, racing back on a couple of occasions to stop Cardiff in their tracks… 7

RORY HUTCHINSON – some lovely touches once again, and his clever kick piled the pressure on Mason Grady, earning Saints a key scrum from which they eventually sent Toby Thame over for a crucial second try… 7.5

TOBY THAME – turned on the power to get his name on the scoresheet and this was a physical showing from the centre, who looked happy to be back in action after injury… 7.5

GEORGE HENDY – CHRON STAR MAN – what a night for this man! Not only was he excellent under the high ball and physical in the tackle but he helped to make a try, scored one of his own and also saved one with a simply superb last-ditch tackle on Josh Adams… 9

ANTHONY BELLEAU – a missed kick to touch and a sin-binning were blots on the copybook, but he bounced back really well and his direct running caused Cardiff real problems. Was in the top five Saints performers in terms of tackles, metres, defenders beaten and carries… 7.5

ALEX MITCHELL – his clearance kicks were important for Saints as they were under big pressure at times, and his pass to Pater for the first try was good execution. Not an easy night for a scrum-half, but he showed his class here… 7.5

DANILO FISCHETTI – looked to be loving this game as he thundered around the field, making important contributions. His run down the right was Soane Tonga’uiha-esque, albeit without the ball, as he displayed real hunger to have a say. Was second in Saints tackles made, joint second in defenders beaten and second in carries... 8

ROBBIE SMITH – topped Saints’ tackle count with 17 on a night when he produced a really abrasive and lively showing, also keeping Saints’ lineout steady while Cardiff’s faltered… 7.5

CLEOPAS KUNDIONA – just continues to develop at Saints and he was strong again here, helping to win a penalty at scrum time and also handling the ball well… 7.5

TOM LOCKETT – this was a really good performance from the lock, who carried well, tackled hard and had a big role in the lineout, grabbing Saints ball and stealing Cardiff’s… 8

JJ VAN DER MESCHT – the big man made some typically big carries, bringing the power for his team and helping to push Cardiff back during a first half in which they had plenty of the ball in Saints territory… 7

JOSH KEMENY – got around the park as well as ever, making good contributions for his team and disrupting Cardiff at every turn… 7.5

JOSH TAYLOR – promised fans that he doesn’t stop before the season started, and you can really see that from him as he is hugely energetic and never takes a backward step… 7.5

CALLUM CHICK – his work rate continues to be through the roof as he shows such desire to get his team on the front foot time and again… 8

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

ION NECULAI (for Kundiona 53) – did everything he had to in solid fashion and his carrying was impressive here… 7

ED PROWSE (for van der Mescht 53) – added some extra second-row energy and helped Saints to bounce back from conceding two tries… 7

ARCHIE MCPARLAND (for Mitchell 57) – help to shift some tiring Cardiff legs around as he made some decent inroads at times… 7

FRASER DINGWALL (for Thame 57) – a huge contribution from the club captain as he set up a try for Hendy and then scored one of his own in fine fashion… 8