With the Blues leading 9-6, the match was turned on its head in the 25th minute when Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams received a red card from Irish referee John Lacey for a tip tackle on his opposite number Benoit Paillaugue.

The Blues shrugged off their handicap with teenage fly half Rhys Patchell a major influence for the home side. His kicking out of hand was of the highest order and his defence was tough as teak as the home side manfully stayed within touching distance.

Pierre Berard scored for the visitors six minutes after Williams left the scene but at 15-19 at the break, the Blues were still in the hunt.

Paillaugue and Patchell traded penalties before Georgian flanker Mamuka Gorgadze looked to have sealed the game when he stretched over the line to touch down.

Patchell replied with two penalties to reduce the lead to just three points with nine minutes remaining but Paillaugue kicked a penalty of his own to make it 30-24.

Fijian winger Timoci Nagusa sealed the victory when he touched down in the corner after being set up by man of the match Gorgadze.

Blues Director of Rugby Phil Davies was in a philosophical mood after seeing Williams red carded.

"I am not sure it was the right decision," he said. "It was unfortunate, in the last few weeks Lloyd has been playing really well, but aside from that I thought the way we adjusted and played after that, considering the age of some of the players out there, and the way we played to come back into the game was really pleasing."