Flanagan held his nerves to give his side the lead with an early penalty, the rookie fly-half handed the kicking duties in the absence of Blair.

BBC: Blues 31-21 Stade Francais

The absences forced coach Mick Potter to name rookie debutant Lee Gaskell, 19, at stand-off, with Jon Wilkin back in the side at scrum-half alongside him after a 12-match injury absence.

BBC: St Helens 20-30 Catalans Dragons

Nigel Davies' side rose to that in the opening period, matching the Tigers' renowned scrum power despite having a rookie at tight-head prop in Simon Gardiner.

BBC: Scarlets 18-32 Leicester Tigers