18-04-2025
Morgan leads weakened Ospreys against Cardiff
URC Judgement Day: Ospreys v CardiffVenue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 19 April Kick off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Scrum V Live BBC One Wales; Listen live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.
Cardiff have recalled Wales prop Corey Domachowski to the starting line-up for Saturday's 'Judgement Day' showdown with Ospreys at Principality Domachowski is one of four changes with lock Ben Donnell and flanker Alex Mann also returning to the Rey Lee-Lo not fit, Harri Millard moves to outside centre and Gabriel Hamer-Webb comes in on the left skipper Jac Morgan leads an Ospreys side weakened by injuries in the pack that leaves them without Justin Tipuric, Adam Beard, Morgan Morris and Rhys Davies for the game in the United Rugby Championship (URC).With Beard and Davies unavailable, James Fender and James Ratti start in the second row, while Tristan Davies lines up at six, Jac Morgan is at open-side and Morgan Morse starts at eight.
Gareth Thomas starts for Ospreys at loosehead prop, with Sam Parry lining up at hooker and Tom Botha completing the front Morgan-Williams is named at scrum half with Dan Edwards at 10. Keiran Williams partners Evardi Boshoff in the the back three, Jack Walsh starts at full-back, with Keelan Giles on one wing and Dan Kasende on the other.
Form guide
With four games to play Cardiff are the highest ranked of the Welsh sides in the URC - but are only three points ahead of Ospreys and the top eight sides qualifying for the play-off quarter-finals, Cardiff go into round 15 in ninth place, but level on 36 points with Edinburgh and Benetton above them. Their other remaining games see them host Munster followed by a trip to South Africa to face Bulls and also end the regular season in the southern hemisphere - against Sharks and Lions - after hosting Dragons on Saturday, 26 Swansea-based region have only one URC win over a fellow Welsh side this season, by a single point at home to Scarlets in contrast, the capital club have only lost once to a Welsh region in this campaign, at home to Scarlets in game with Ospreys at the Arms Park on New Year's Day finished in a 13-13 draw.
What they say
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said: This is a big fixture for us. We feel like we need to get some good points out of this game [to make the top eight] but, first and foremost, we need to put in a good performance."We're really excited by what's on the line for both teams at Judgement Day and by what a result could set up for the next three URC games that follow."Head coach Matt Sherratt said: "Judgement Day is always a great occasion. The Principality is the home of rugby in Wales and you have four Welsh teams, stacked with Welsh talent playing in one day."There's an extra bit of spice this year because the league table is so tight. Ourselves, Ospreys and Scarlets are right in the fight for the top eight."We know each other pretty well and as with all derbies, it will be a one off occasion. But they are a quality team, who have added to their game through the season and have enjoyed some good form in recent weeks, so it will be a big challenge but it is one we are excited for."
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Daniel Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, James Fender, James Ratti, Tristan Davies, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Dewi Lake, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Will Spencer, Lewis Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Owen Williams, Iestyn Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Donnell, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, James Botham, Taulupe Evan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Alun Lawrence, Thomas Young, Aled Davies, Rory Ben Connor (WRU)Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse & Ben Breakspear (WRU)TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
