With illness, quarantine regulations and injury ruling out most of the regular first team, Cardiff have had to call on academy players and semi-professionals to bolster their squad for the matches against Stade Toulousain and Harlequins.

And although they lost both Pool B games, Rees is delighted with what he has seen – particularly in the 43-17 Round 2 defeat against English champions Harlequins.

“We were pretty battered and bruised, and we did wonder how we were going to back up a pretty physical effort last week,” he told the Cardiff website.

“We did that and enjoyed our rugby for the most part. For 55 to 60 minutes, we were well in it. We got held up over the line, but credit to Harlequins, because they squeezed us and we were punched out.

“We were trying to play catch-up then with the bench coming on, and a few youngsters there, so we got a bit stretched.

“Overall, it’s been a great couple of weeks for the club playing in this competition and playing good rugby in this competition.”

Rees thinks the two performances bode well for the future – especially as the youngsters have had the chance to train and play alongside some senior stars.

“We had a mix of players you’d never have thought of four to six weeks ago,” he said. “We’ve come from many different backgrounds, but developmentally, it’s been brilliant for our academy boys to be around the seniors and playing top-level rugby with them.

“For the back three players to play with the likes of Josh Adams and Rey Lee-Lo is a constant learning experience. But they’ve also done themselves justice in terms of the performances they put together.

“Credit to everyone behind the scenes in the club - we are aligned and have been able to capitalise on a tricky situation.”

Cardiff Rugby academy manager Gruff Rees couldn’t be prouder of the players who have stepped up to represent the Welsh region in the Heineken Champions Cup so far this season.