Cardiff Rugby PROFILE

He was rumoured to be considering a move to France, but Taulupe Faletau has signed on for another year with Cardiff.

Cardiff are big outsiders to make the URC play-offs, but coach Matt Sherratt insists his team can stun the Stormers as Simon Thomas reports.

Cardiff must beat the Stormers on Friday to have any chance of making the URC play-offs and helping fulfill the ambitions of Wales international Callum Sheedy.

Cardiff have one game left to try and clinch a United Rugby Championship play-off spot when they travel to meet the Stormers in Cape Town.

He was written off by some as too old and too prone to injuries, but Taulupe Faletau is proving there is life in the old Lion yet, as Simon Thomas reports.

Judgement Day saw Cardiff and the Scarlets prove themselves, with Matt Sherratt full of praise for his Arms Park squad.

Saturday is Judgement Day, when the four regions meet in two head-to-heads and fan interest will be examined carefully after a disastrous season for the national team.

Cardiff's players have spent the past week worrying about their futures but for this weekend it's all about the short-term - and a Judgement Day battle against the Ospreys.

There may be turmoil off the field but the matches continue for Cardiff who meet the Ospreys next week with one Arms Park player hoping for a fond farewell.

When you have won 19 successive derby matches against your nearest neighbours, then you might be forgiven for a little complacency. But Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt is not one for resting on his laurels, even if his team will be overwhelming favourites to record a 20th successive win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Boxing Day.

Few overseas players have made a bigger impact in Welsh rugby over the past couple of decades than Filo Tiatia. Now, the Ospreys legend is looking to make his presence felt once again – in his new role as Dragons interim head coach.

Having now completed a hat-trick of leagues, Henry Thomas is ideally placed to compare the contrasting competitions. He spent 11 seasons in the English Premiership with Sale and Bath, before embarking on a three-year stint in the French Top 14 with Montpellier and Castres.