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BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Welsh trio aim to seal URC play-off spot
Positive weekends in the United Rugby Championship (URC) for Welsh professional sides are few and far while Wales women were emulating the men by finishing rock bottom of the Six Nations, there was some light as bonus-point victories for Cardiff, Scarlets and Ospreys kept their play-off hopes last time both Leinster and Munster lost to Welsh opposition on the same league weekend was March 2015, but that has now been matched 10 years later with wins for Scarlets and Dragons continue to prop up the table after suffering a 57-24 hammering at hands of Ospreys. The top four of Leinster, Glasgow, Bulls and Sharks have secured their play-off places and are set to be the leading quartet when the league means there are now eight points separating eight teams who are realistically in the battle for the final four play-off Welsh sides are battling it out with Munster, Ulster, Stormers, Edinburgh and Benetton, while Lions and Connacht are on the four Welsh professional sides have a break this weekend before they all travel to South Africa for the final two matches of the regular league season in and Scarlets are currently in the play-off places, while Ospreys are hovering just outside waiting for rivals to slip up. Cardiff (5th, 46 points) Cardiff have shrugged off the financial issues which saw them put into temporary administration before being taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).After defeating Ospreys at Judgement Day, Cardiff overcame Munster 26-21 in front of a passionate Arms Park crowd to go up to fifth in the Sherratt's side have a real chance of making the URC play-offs for the first time with trips to the Bulls and Stormers to come."It was a brilliant night on Friday and we probably got more than expected with a bonus-point win," said Sherratt."It was a great occasion, the fans got behind the team and there's a strong group here."It has been a whirlwind couple of months for everyone, including myself, so we wanted to make sure we enjoyed that night. It's the best part of rugby."Then we go to South Africa. I said before Munster I didn't want that game to define our season, whether we won or lost. "Even though we won, that's not the season over. We have to pick up points in South Africa."Sherratt praised Cardiff's character over the past couple of seasons."It wasn't long ago we only had 12 players training, we changed training base halfway through a season, there's been a change of ownership and we've lost about 1,800 caps of experience," said Sherratt."The group had every excuse to ease off, but where we are now is a huge credit to everyone here." Scarlets (7th, 43 points) Scarlets became only the second team to beat Leinster this season, with their thrilling 35-22 win representing a first success against the Irish province since Peel's side are now up to seventh in the table with trips to Lions and Sharks to follow in the final two rounds."We've shown some real character in recent games and the big theme this season was being competitive in every match," said Peel."For the large part of the season we have [been competitive] and now we have it all to play for."It was a pressure game [against Leinster] and we are delighted our destiny is in our own hands going to South Africa."We have two big games and haven't won as a region out there against the four teams now in the URC, so we need to make some history. "Only eight teams make the play-offs, so to have two teams from Wales in there would be massive for Welsh rugby."But we've all got tough games on the road so there's plenty of rugby still to play." Ospreys (11th, 38 points) Ospreys snuck into the top eight last season and they will have to perform an even more spectacular recovery to repeat that feat this Jones' side ran in nine tries as they defeated Dragons to move within three points of the top eight."It is a tough looking fixture list and a tough ask," said Jones."At the end of the season you want to be within a chance of play-offs and we have given ourselves an opportunity."We know if we want to win games against the better sides we are probably going to need to score four tries anyway."Our mindset will be to try and get as many match points as we can and we know we are going to need four or five from each game."Ospreys will travel to Durban and Johannesburg on their campaign-concluding tour of South Africa, knowing they will have to win both matches and hope other results go their way."There is a chance now on tour to South Africa try and get ourselves in the play-offs, or certainly make life uncomfortable for others if they do slip up," said Jones."We need to make sure we get the boys physically and mentally excited about things."It is an awesome place to tour and we are playing in some good venues. What a way to finish off the season."Jones believes having three Welsh sides in contention shows there is progress being made."For the regions to be competing as well as we are for as long as we are shows there is talent and growth," said Jones. "We need to make sure we can take it on for the next couple of seasons." What can be done about Dragons? Dragons have now lost 15 consecutive league games since beating Ospreys at Rodney Parade on the opening weekend in Gwent region prop up the table and are 20 points adrift of second from bottom Zebre."We want to be so much better than what we showed in that last 20 minutes [against Ospreys]," said Tiatia."I know deep down in my heart that the players, when they stay connected and play for each other, they are a good side."We played against a good Ospreys side and in the last 20 minutes they found gaps, exploited it and scored points. We are disappointed with how we finished."The young group came on for the last 25 minutes, and we lost shape defensively and the chemistry of connecting."That is where we are at with our young players. It is another opportunity to keep learning and keep pushing at this level. The learning for us is how do we stay in the match." Remaining URC fixtures *All kick-off times BST unless 17Friday, 9 MaySharks v Ospreys, 18:00Munster v Ulster, 19:35Saturday, 10 MayBulls v Cardiff, 15:00Benetton v Glasgow, 17:15Leinster v Zebre, 17:15Stormers v Dragons, 17:15Connacht v Edinburgh, 19:35Sunday, 11 MayLions v Scarlets, 14:00Round 18Friday, 16 MayStormers v Cardiff, 18:00Edinburgh v Ulster, 19:35Munster v Benetton, 20:00Saturday, 17 MayBulls v Dragons, 14:00Lions v Ospreys, 16:15Zebre v Connacht, 17:00Sharks v Scarlets, 18:30Leinster v Glasgow, 19:35
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Faletau's future in doubt after Cardiff upheaval
Taulupe Faletau's club future remains in doubt with Cardiff yet to confirm whether the Wales star is 34-year-old back row rolled back the years with a blistering performance in Cardiff's 26-21 victory over Munster on coach Matt Sherratt hailed the display as Faletau's best in his three years at the it remains to be seen whether that was the last home appearance at the Arms Park for the British and Irish Lion who is out of contract in the summer."I don't know yet, it's something that over the next couple of weeks we will chat about," said Sherratt."Toby is enjoying it here, but we will have to see how we go over the next few weeks. That's all the info I have." Faletau has been limited to just 21 appearances for Cardiff in three years since his move from Bath.A broken arm suffered in the 2023 World Cup was followed by a fractured shoulder on his club return in April the 110-cap forward has said he has no intention of retiring and has been linked with a move to has not hidden his admiration for the player, but he could be forced to let Faletau leave as the club cut their cloth following recent financial turmoil."He's one of the best that has ever pulled on the red of Wales and he was unbelievable [against Munster]," said Sherratt."We saw his full repertoire against Munster, his stepping, line breaks, timing of the pass and solid in defence. It was probably his best performance in a blue and black jersey." Sherratt said the change in club ownership had delayed contract negotiations with certain was taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) earlier this month when it went into some cases under existing contracts, Cardiff players are free to move on if they wish as their their deals can be deemed null and void because the region slipped into are still yet to be finalised, given there is still no signed agreement between the governing body and the other three the head coach was clear he wanted to keep Gabriel Hamer-Webb, another out of contract at the end of the wing crossed against Munster - and set up another score - to take his club tally to 10 tries, including four in his last two games."What I was most pleased about is that he backed up last week's performance [at Judgement Day]," said moved up to fifth in the United Rugby Championship on Friday to keep their play-off hopes alive."Nights like [Friday] certainly help with contract talks," said Sherratt."It was a great occasion, the fans really got behind the team and there's a really strong group here."It wasn't long ago we only had 12 players training, we changed training base halfway through a season, there's been a change of ownership and we've lost about 1,800 caps of experience."The group had every excuse to ease off, but where we are now is a huge credit to everyone here."
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sherratt calls for Cardiff best against Munster
United Rugby Championship: Cardiff v MunsterVenue: Arms Park, Cardiff Date: Friday, 25 April Kick off: 19:35 BSTCoverage: Scrum V Live, BBC Two Wales, iPlayer and BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt says his side need their most complete performance of the season to defeat United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off rivals Munster on Friday host the Irish province in their final home match of the season at the Arms side are in contention for a top-eight spot despite the shock news earlier this month Cardiff had been placed into temporary administration before being taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)."Friday night has to be our best performance this season and I have said this to the players," said Sherratt."It's a game with a lot riding on it, in a league that's incredibly tight and against a brilliant team full of internationals, with massive history." Fond farewells Cardiff will also bid farewell to some players who will be playing their final game at the Arms Park before moving Young, Tinus de Beer and Seb Davies are heading to Dragons, while there are doubts over the future of number eight Taulupe has also been linked with a permanent move to the Wales coaching set-up, although he said earlier this week it would take a lot to make him leave Cardiff."I think that always adds a little bit of extra emotion in terms of it's the last time the fans get to see the players close up for a couple of months," said Sherratt."It's probably some players' last game together as well. For every reason being the last game and some boys last game is huge." How they stand Cardiff and Munster both go into round 16 of league fixtures occupying one of the top-eight play-off berths with just four points covering seven teams from fifth to Welsh side are sixth on 41 points, while their visitors are one place and one point below them."Munster are a good team, and them being a point behind us in the table as well has probably sharpened their senses in terms of having something to play for," said have lost three of their last four league matches but have won three of their last four away games in Irish side have also won their last 10 matches against Welsh regions, while their only loss in their last eight encounters with Cardiff was a 20-13 defeat on their most recent visit to the Arms Park in September have won two of their last three URC matches and have lost only one of their last five league home games. How they line-up Cardiff have made three changes to the side that defeated Ospreys with prop Danny Southworth, lock Josh McNally and flanker Thomas Young coming in for Corey Domachowski, Ben Donnell and Alex and Donnell drop to the replacements bench, while Mann, who scored two tries against Ospreys, is not included in the 23-man squad. Munster have made seven changes to the side that lost to Bulls at Thomond Park last Milne will make his debut with Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Craig Casey and Gavin Coombes all returning from injury or flanker Peter O'Mahony is again missing as he recovers from a tight hamstring, while Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, Conor Murray, Josh Wycherley and John Hodnett are also Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Thomas Young, Taulupe Evan Lloyd, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Alun Lawrence, Ben Donnell, Aled Davies, Tinus de Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O' Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)Assistant referees: Mike English & Aaron Parry (WRU)TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR).
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Events at Cardiff pretty unsettling
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt says being put into administration was "unsettling" but believes the Arms Park side are now more secure than Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) took control of Cardiff last week after the club's legal entity was placed temporarily into move has saved an estimated 150 jobs, including that of the players, according to the WRU, and all match tickets, sponsorships and hospitality will be honoured."The word administration and the fanfare around it is pretty unsettling," said Sherratt."But it was unsettling for 24 to 48 hours. Nothing has actually changed for the staff and players. Everyone who was in contract is still in contract."We are probably more secure now than we ever have been as a club, with the WRU coming in." 'Keeping Cardiff was crucial' Sherratt praised the role of Welsh rugby's governing body."The WRU have been brilliant, I can't speak highly enough of how they have been," said Sherratt."The speed they have done it at has been impressive. But away from the business side of it, their first thought has always been about the people at the club. I got texts immediately asking if the players and staff were ok."Regardless of the nuts and bolts of it, the way they cared about the staff and players was the most impressive thing for me."In the immediate aftermath of last week's takeover WRU chief executive Abi Tierney said it was "unthinkable for us to allow the demise of professional rugby in the Welsh capital". Sherratt agrees."There is a massive amount of history here and I think the Welsh game would lose a lot if it lost Cardiff," said Sherratt."It's an iconic club in the middle of the city. It's essential that rugby stays."Cardiff are currently ninth in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and return to action on Saturday where they face rivals Ospreys as part of Welsh rugby's Judgement Day at the Principality then take on Munster, the Bulls and Stormers in the URC in the hope of clinching a play-off place, which is awarded to teams who finish in the top eight."It will be nice to get back to rugby because, from my perspective in particular, it wasn't an easy week to concentrate on rugby," said Sherratt."Because I know the lads, I don't think they will use the last week as an excuse to let our season just peter out."The group are tight and they will want to finish the season in the right way." Players' perspective Cardiff captain Liam Belcher admitted the players had been affected by events of the last week."It's been pretty stressful but I've also got to give credit to the boys, they have been class with it all," said Belcher."It's not the sort of thing I ever thought would happen and go through. But we've put it behind us now. That's the only thing you can do."We have got our jobs, you are getting your money at the end of the month to pay for your mortgage and help your families out."I think that's what we've got to be grateful for."The Cardiff hooker though does says the players have leaned on external support."Outside of rugby, you realise who is there for you," said Belcher."That was the big eye opener, just how many people actually care for the club. A lot of people came forward trying to volunteer help, with a bit of advice etc."Going for coffee on the day we were waiting for news, random people were just asking if you were ok, it was nice hearing that. "It's bigger than rugby at that point. It's about livelihoods."
BBC News
15-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Wales players need support after record loss'
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt says Wales players need support following the record 68-14 hammering inflicted by England in the Six Nations finale in were condemned to a second successive Wooden Spoon for finishing bottom of the was also a 17th Test defeat on the bounce which is a record for a tier one nation in the professional 68 points conceded was the most in their Six Nations coach Sherratt was put in interim charge after Warren Gatland's departure halfway through the campaign in February and says he was gutted he could not help them secure a win."I just think they need support," said Sherratt. "It's devastating for the players. They're a good group of lads and there's some really good players in the room as well. They just need to try and reset."Honestly, it was one of those days when it looked like a game too many."We've got to be aware, probably the last seven to eight weeks have been emotional. "The playing group and staff has been through a fair bit and little things went against us in the game and probably opened up some wounds."I'm disappointed I couldn't get some smiles on faces in that changing room. That's probably my regret today."Sherratt also acknowledged what the Welsh fans are going through."I'm upset for them as well," said Sherratt."The public support has been unbelievable for the group and myself personally so I'd like to thank them for that."Even at the end there, when they're obviously hurting, there's going to be probably an emotional reaction. "The support they've given the team and myself over the past four weeks has been brilliant." Reset is needed Sherratt refused to be drawn into a debate on the state of Welsh rugby but admitted it had been a sobering exercise and change was will return to Cardiff next week, ruling himself out of the permanent head coach role while a new director of rugby will also be appointed."There's going to be some fresh appointments over the next couple of weeks," said Sherratt."It's just about resetting and trying to move forward as quickly as possible. The next camp has to feel fresh for the players."We knew where we were before this campaign started, that's not changed. "It's about getting the next couple of appointments right and trying to build a base for the game."It's always easy to look at the top of the pyramid, the national team and the regions. "But any good team, it starts with the grassroots and the foundations, the academy and that's what needs to be better." Power game Wales were overpowered by their England rivals as the hosts conceded 10 tries but Sherratt insists that can not be used as an excuse."I'm not a coach who's going to say we lack power," said Sherratt."My job is to find a way, a different way. So perhaps as a nation, we've got our ball movement, better shape, try and get one v ones, play a faster game."And everything's got the players' conditioning and their training week has to be around that. "Power is not something you can coach but you can coach the players to be technically better, play faster and get more transitional moments. "So it's not about power for me. You've got to find a way with what you've got."
