POOL TWO: Racing Metro 20 Cardiff Blues 26:SAM WARBURTON finally got the French scalp he craved as the Cardiff Blues recorded a vital away win in their opener against Racing Metro at the Stade Yves Du Manoir.

The Wales skipper made his return to action after his controversial red card, which saw him banned for three weeks, for a dangerous tackle on France’s Vincent Clerc in the World Cup semi-final in New Zealand.

But while all eyes may have been on Warburton’s return, Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, would have been concerned at the sight of centre Jamie Roberts leaving the field in the 11th minute with a groin injury ahead of the visit of Australia to the Millennium Stadium next month.

And the game was marred by an injury in the second minute to lock James Down, who picked up an horrific broken leg at the tackle area and was stretchered from the field before being replaced by Paul Tito.

Racing, who were without four injured stars of their own, never really got a foothold in the game.

Prop Tau Filise and wing Alex Cuthbert went over for Blues tries with Dan Parks kicking 16 points.

Racings Juan Imhoff went over while Gaetan Germain kicked 12 points and Juan Martin Hernandez a drop-goal.

RACING METRO 92:Germain, Bobo, Chavancy, Estebanez, Jose Imhoff, Hernandez, Loree, Lo Cicero, Noirot, Orlandi, Ghezal, Nailiko, Leo'o, Battut, Cronje. Replacements: Wisniewski for Estebanez (47 mins), Durand for Loree (55mins), Ben Arous for Lo Cicero (70 mins), Coetzee for Orlandi (55 mins), Nallet for Ghezal (47 mins), Vaquiin for Leo'o (70 mins).

CARDIFF BLUES:Czekaj, Cuthbert, Laulala, Roberts, James, Parks, L Williams, G Jenkins, T Thomas, Filise, B. Davies, Down, Paterson, Warburton, Rush. Replacements: Sweeney for Laulala (72 mins), Andrews for Filise (73 mins), Tito for Down (3 mins), Pretorius for Rush (70 mins).

Referee:G Clancy (RU).

Try:Imhoff Pens: Germain 4 Drop goal: Hernandez