Cardiff Blues stayed firmly on course for the Heineken European Cup quarter-finals last night, after subduing Harlequins' spirited resistance 23-12 at a windswept Arms Park. The Blues will win Pool Three if they topple Memorial Stadium hosts Bristol on Sunday week.
Defeat could let French champions Stade Francais through the back door. Stade dealt Bristol's hopes of progressing a blow in Paris with a 19-11 victory. Stade's last game is away to already-eliminated Harlequins.
But Cardiff have control of their own destiny, which is everything head coach David Young would have wanted heading into the final round of group matches.
The clinching try arrived on 71 minutes when Shanklin appeared in the middle of a forward rush towards Harlequins' line, collecting the touchdown under a pile of bodies.
Blair converted - and although Brown had the final word, Cardiff could reflect on a satisfactory night's work that sets up their trip across the Severn Bridge in nine days' time.
In Paris, Stade Francais won a battle of attrition with Bristol. Richard Hill's men slipped to third in the group, and must now defeat leaders Cardiff next Sunday to have any hope of qualifying, as Stade found a greater cutting edge in the second half to emerge victorious.
Bristol, who failed to earn an all-important bonus point, were never completely out of the running and were just 9-6 behind with 30 minutes left.
However, tries by Ignacio Corleto and Julien Arias in the right corner in the space of 13 minutes did for the visitors.
Scorers
Cardiff Blues 23 (Tries: D Hewitt, Shanklin. Cons: Blair 2. Pens: Blair 3); Harlequins 12 (Tries: Luscombe, Brown. Con: Malone).
Stade Francais 19 (Tries: Corleto, Arias. Pens: Skrela 3); Bristol 11 (Tries: T Arscott. Pens: Strange 2).
