Former Wales and British and Irish Lions skipper Gareth Thomas, who announced on Saturday that he was gay, was unable to save his Cardiff Blues side from a European Cup defeat.

Thomas, 35, came off the bench in the dying moments against former club Toulouse in France, but was powerless to prevent a 23-7 loss despite putting in a number of late runs.

Wales' most-capped player, who separated from his wife in 2006, revealed in a newspaper interview earlier on Saturday that he was homosexual.

"I've been through all sorts of emotions with this, tears, anger and absolute despair," he said.

Toulouse had lost the first game between the two sides 15-9 in Wales last weekend, but the three-time champions' win on Saturday allowed them to stay top of Pool Five and on course for a quarter-final spot.

French international five-eighth Frederic Michalak kicked 18 points with captain Thierry Dusautoir scoring his team's only try after 27 minutes.

Cardiff closed the gap to 8-7 three minutes later with a try from prop Taufa'ao Filise, but that was as close as the Welsh side got to their hosts.

In Pool Two Biarritz defeated Newport-Gwent Dragons in Llanelli to make it four wins in four games and virtually ensure a last-eight place.

Halfback Dimitri Yachvili scored two tries, converted both and kicked three penalties.

Damien Traille added a drop-goal while Richard Fussell grabbed the home side's try and James Arlidge a penalty.

Ospreys salvaged Welsh pride with a bonus-point 45-19 win over Viadana to go top of Pool Three ahead of Leicester's clash with Clermont later on Saturday.

Tommy Bowe crossed twice as the Welsh region followed up their 62-7 win in Italy last week.

In Pool Four, three Chris Paterson penalties gave Edinburgh a 9-6 win over former champions Bath, while the clash between the group's top two, Stade Francais and Ulster, was postponed because of a frozen pitch in Brussels.

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