After a week dominated by financial uncertainty and threats to their existence, Cardiff Rugby are refocusing on the task at hand as they prepare for a crucial Judgement Day clash against the Ospreys at the Principality Stadium.
With the Welsh Rugby Union stepping in to take control of the club following a short spell in administration, head coach Matt Sherratt says the team is ready to move forward - and finish the season strongly.
"Obviously the word administration and the fanfare around it is pretty unsettling, I won’t lie to you, but it was unsettling for 24 to 48 hours," Sherratt admitted, reflecting on the recent events.
"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."
Cardiff were plunged into administration last week after previous owners Helford Capital failed to meet their financial commitments.
The WRU acted quickly, completing a takeover within hours and ensuring that jobs were preserved.
For Sherratt, the way the union prioritised the people behind the scenes left a lasting impression.
"The WRU have been brilliant. I can’t speak highly enough of how they have been," he said.
"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 the players was the most impressive thing for me."
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Now, attention turns back to rugby—and the business end of the BKT United Rugby Championship season.
Cardiff are ninth in the table but level on points with play-off rivals Edinburgh and Benetton. With four games to go—starting with two in Wales before a difficult South African tour—the stakes could not be higher.
"Our goal is going to be to try and get ten points out of our next two games," Sherratt explained.
"The league is so tight and the reality of going to South Africa after is it’s a tough place to go and pick up points.
“So that’s going to be our aim. We need to pick up ten points."
Cardiff’s fixture list sees them face the Ospreys this Saturday and Munster at the Arms Park before finishing away to the Bulls and Stormers.
With so little separating the play-off contenders, Sherratt knows what’s required to make the top eight.
"We looked four or five weeks ago at what gets you in the play-offs and a guaranteed number is probably around 50 points.
“I think this year it may be one or two less because of the competitive nature of the league with everyone beating each other. It’s pretty tight. To get that, I think these next two games are massive."
For club captain Liam Belcher, the off-field turmoil has brought the squad closer—and reminded them of rugby’s deeper human connections.
"It’s been pretty stressful, to be honest, but I’ve also got to give credit to the boys, they have been class with it all," said Belcher.
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"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."
Belcher also highlighted the support they received during those uncertain days, both internally and from the wider Cardiff community.
"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 at the end of the day.
“Outside of rugby, you realise who is there for you. That was the big eye opener, just how many people actually care for the club.
“Going for coffee on the day we were waiting for news, random people were just asking if you were ok, it was quite nice hearing that. It’s bigger than rugby at that point. It’s about livelihoods."
With the team now focused on Saturday’s showdown in the capital, Belcher believes the setting and the occasion will inspire the group.
"You are playing in the national stadium. This is where you want to play. It has that buzz. There is that sense of how big it is when you actually go here.
“It’s a surreal feeling to be on the field. It’s exciting for the club and exciting for myself as well.
“There is a lot on it. I know it’s not a home game as such, but it’s still in the centre of Cardiff, while Munster is a home game. They are massive."
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The Ospreys, too, are in the play-off hunt, sitting just three points behind Cardiff.
Under head coach Mark Jones, they’ve adopted a bolder, more expansive style—something Belcher both admires and looks forward to testing.
"Since Mark Jones has taken over, they have been excellent.
“He has instilled a bit of belief of being brave with the ball, a bit like Jockey (Sherratt) in that sense.
“They have been more expansive and used their back line a lot more. They have been good to watch, I’ve got to be honest, value for money.
“We like to play very expansively as well, so hopefully it will be a very good game for people to watch."
With the turbulence of the past week behind them and play-off ambitions still intact, Cardiff now face a defining stretch in their season—starting with a high-stakes derby that could shape what’s left of their URC campaign.
