Cardiff vs Ospreys
UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
cardiff arms park
24TH APRIL 2026
Ospreys try scorers: Keiran Williams, Dan Edwards, Jack Walsh.
Conversions: Dan Edwards (3)
A resolute attitude saw Ospreys fight until the last on a disappointing night in the capital. Ill discipline forced the team to deal with two yellows and a red, but they pushed the hosts right to the final play, coming away from the Arms Park with a point, having denied the hosts a bonus point in the process.
Ospreys started the game well, winning the early collision battle and pressuring Cardiff at the breakdown. Despite the strong start, the first opportunity of the game went to Cardiff. A well worked move from the backs gave them a strong platform: Sheedy opted for the cross field but it bounced over his receiver.
From the resulting lineout, Morgan Morris caught it off the back and Belcher's hit was high on Morgan Morris. He was sent to the bin as a result, and Morgan left the field for an HIA, before returning 10 minutes later.
Cardiff managed the game well after the yellow, with another opportunity heading their way in the form of a lineout. With our backs against the wall, Keiran Williams came away with a big turnover to relieve the pressure.
However, a few phases later the first points of the game went to Cardiff, with Sheedy opting for the sticks after an unsuccessful attempt for the try line. Cardiff 3 - 0 Ospreys.
After a check of the penalty by the TMO, the Ospreys were then reduced to 14 after the ball carrier was deemed to have fended a Cardiff defender high, leading with the forearm.
With Cardiff restored to their full complement, they were able to score their first try of the game, with Belcher forcing his way over for the score. In a triple blow, Ospreys were reduced to 13 after giving away a penalty in the 22, the yellow card for the forearm was upgraded to a 20-minute red and Sheedy converted. Cardiff 10 - 0 Ospreys.
With Cardiff having a two man advantage for over 10 minutes, the Ospreys pulled out their own smart game management, the home side unable to take advantage of the extra space around the park. The scrum was a clear area of strength for Ospreys in the first half, with multiple penalties going the way of the front row.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! After the ball going loose at the lineout, Dan Edwards pounced on it, sliced through the Cardiff defence and offloaded to Keiran Williams for the score, the centre well deserving of the points after a powerful defensive shift in the opening half. Dan Eds converted to make the gap just 3 points going into halftime, despite Cardiff's numerical advantage.
HALF TIME – CARDIFF 10, OSPREYS 7.
Ospreys returned to the field back to a full complement of 15 players, but similarly to the first half, discipline continued to hinder the boys: this time reduced to 14 for an intentional knock on at the 45 minute mark.
Cardiff took instant advantage of the extra man this time, Belcher coming away with another try following the tap and go. Sheedy converted on 47 minutes to extended the host's lead to 7. Cardiff 17 - 10 Ospreys.
The Cardiff score seemed to awaken the Ospreys, who marched down the field after a good break from Jack Walsh. The home team were eventually able to clear their lines though, after stealing the Ospreys lineout.
The hosts extended their lead with the man advantage still in play: a dink through was recovered by Mulder deep in Ospreys territory and Dan Thomas was able to go over for the score. Cardiff 24 - 7 Ospreys.
Cardiff continued to apply pressure on the Ospreys 22 immediately after, but knocked on. Ospreys scrum continued to cause Cardiff problems, and the boys cleared the lines.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! A well worked move saw Cam Jones fly through a gap in the Cardiff defence and time a perfect pass inside to Jack Walsh, who finished well. Unbelievable work from the loosehead before Dan Eds converted. Cardiff 24 - 14 Ospreys.
The boys continued to apply the pressure after the try, stretching Cardiff and forcing them into a man disadvantage, as Cardiff deliberately knocked the ball on when Ospreys tried to ship the ball out wide.
The ball did however still make its way to Keiran Williams, who flew into the hole left by the wayward Cardiff defender, getting up to the Cardiff 22. However, the move broke down and the Cardiff player was awarded a yellow for his efforts.
The hosts trouble at scrum time continued and Ospreys won another penalty, opting to boot it to the corner. From here, the boys went through phase after phase before Dan Edwards crossed under the sticks, converting his own try on 76 minutes. Cardiff 24 - 21 Ospreys.
Cardiff had the chance to earn a bonus point in the closing stages of the game after turning down three points, but a resolute Ospreys defence stood firm. The boys fought to the last and carried hard up field, but the advances ended with a knock on, taking us to full time.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF 24 - 21 OSPREYS.
Next up, it's the big one! The West Wales Derby arrives at the Electric Brewery Field as welcome our neighbours Scarlets on May 9th. Tickets are flying fast, so make sure you've got yours!