Matt Sherratt

Matt Sherratt has left Cardiff to work permanently for Wales - but that's only half the story as Paul Jones reports.

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.

Matt Sherratt takes charge of Wales for the final time on Saturday as England come to Cardiff to face Wales in the last round of the Six Nations.

Matt Sherratt is ready to hit the ground running to end Wales’ record 14-game losing streak but, whatever happens in the remainder of the Six Nations, the new caretaker coach has said he will not be seeking the role on a permanent basis. The exit of Warren Gatland by mutual consent on Tuesday led to Sherratt being parachuted in from his position as Cardiff head coach for Wales’ remaining three games in the Six Nations, starting with a home clash against champions Ireland on Feb. 22.

Cardiff finished their United Rugby Championship of 2024 on a high while the Dragons finished theirs on a familiar case of white might have been if only chances had been taken. Cardiff collected five points from the fixture at a packed Rodney Parade to move into third place on the league table as the Dragons remain rooted firmly to the bottom.

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.

There are big decisions to be made in Welsh rugby right now – such as who does Warren Gatland pick in his squad next week and should the Wales coach be able to stick his nose into other people’s business. Gatland is due to name his group of players for the autumn internationals on Monday, as he attempts to turn the tide in matches against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.

Scarlets skipper Josh Macleod has paid tribute to his team of “warriors” and to the support from the travelling fans after a nerve-jangling 25-19 victory over Cardiff at a sold-out Arms Park. Flanker Macleod had to watch on from the sin bin as the visitors were left with just 13 men for eight minutes in the closing stages of the United Rugby Championship derby after both he and wing Tom Rogers were yellow carded in quick succession.

Dwayne Peel is a man under pressure, but he has got used to that. The Scarlets coach takes his team to Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, still seeking a first win of the season after three rounds of the United Rugby Championship.

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.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt admitted his team had been on a rollercoaster ride that eventually ended with them thrown off the track by Glasgow. The Arms Park club had their moments, but were often a defensive shambles as they were eventually hammered 52-26 in front of their own fans.

How best to utilise the undoubted talents of Mason Grady is one of the big debates in Welsh rugby. At 6ft 5ins and 17st 9lbs, with bags of pace and power, the 22-year-old Cardiff star has all the raw ingredients.