Wales international Evan Lloyd played a starring role as Cardiff beat Lions 33-20 in their United Rugby Championship opener.
The Penarth-born hooker came off the replacements bench to score two tries at the Arms Park on Saturday night.
For the Blue and Blacks, it was a statement win not only in the shadow of the debate over the future of Welsh professional rugby, but also in the wake of head coach Matt Sherratt's departure to join Wales' backroom staff.
It may have also provided a boost to Lloyd's hopes of a recall ahead of the November internationals.
Cardiff were 14-10 up thanks to tries from Ben Thomas and Cameron Winnett, but the hosts had to dig deep when centre Thomas was given a 20-minute red card after a TMO review for a dangerous clearout against Nico Steyn.
The South Africans briefly took the lead in the second half before flanker Alex Mann spun his way out from a tackle and reached over the line, soon after Cardiff returned to 15 men.
Shortly before the hour mark, Lloyd secured the bonus point when he caught out the visitors and darted down the blindside, before guiding a driving maul over to put the result beyond doubt.
Lloyd, who scored four tries from 17 Cardiff apperances last season, last figured for Wales as a replacement in their Six Nations defeat against Ireland in March - ironically, their first game under then-caretaker boss Sherratt following the mid-tournament departure of Warren Gatland.
The 23 year-old had featured in their opening two defeats against France and Italy before he was dropped by Sherratt for their last two games, and then, missed out on their summer tour to Japan.
With Wales head coach Steve Tandy preparing to take charge of his first game against Argentina on November 9th, a strong start to the domestic season could offer Lloyd a way back into the national squad.
Cardiff, who were the only Welsh region to win on the URC's opening weekend, take on Munster in Limerick next Saturday night,
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