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.

Alun Lawrence is proof that a lot can happen in 12 months in the life of a professional rugby player. When he helped Cardiff Rugby secure a BKT United Rugby Championship victory over the Scarlets a fortnight ago, it coincided with a telling anniversary.

Cameron Winnett’s stellar first season in senior rugby has been crowned with him being named as the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association Welsh Young Player of the Year for 2024. The 21-year-old Cardiff Rugby full back not only nailed down the full back berth at his region but is now the proud owner of seven senior Welsh caps.

All four Welsh regions will be in action this weekend (Saturday, 31 August) as the big build-up to the new season gathers pace. The Ospreys will welcome Aberavon, Bridgend and Swansea to the Swansea.Com Stadium for their innovative ‘Origin Series’, which will include three 30 minute matches against the new Super Rygbi Cymru teams in their reg

Morgan Morse will become the most-capped player for Wales U20 when he plays against the Junior Springboks in the final game at the 2024 World Rugby Junior Championship. It will be his 24th appearance, taking him past the 23 won by former Scarlets wing Ryan Conbeer, but he could go on to win 10 more next season.

Wales have been forced into four changes, two of them positional, for the second Test against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday. Two of the changes come in the back row, where Taine Plumtree moves to number eight with Aaron Wainwright ruled out of the remainder of the tour by a hamstring injury.

Richard Whiffin has named his Wales U20 men’s side to take on France U20 in Tuesday’s third round of Pool A clashes in the U20 World Championship at Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town (UK 3.30pm). Captain Ryan Woodman along with second row Jonny Green and back row Morgan Morse are the only players to be making a third consecutive starting appearance in the showpiece tournament.

It was probably fitting that the first team drawn out of the hat for the 30th anniversary Investec Champions Cup tournament next season was that of the reigning champions Stade Toulousain – who won the first title in Cardiff in 1996. The French giants will be hot favourites once again to add to their six titles, the first of which was secured at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park when they beat Cardiff after extra-time.