Cardiff lock Josh McNally is set to miss his side’s key final day match with Stormers on Friday night due to his Royal Air Force (RAF) commitments.

Cardiff face South African side the Stormers in the final match of the regular United Rugby Championship (URC) season at the Cardiff Arms Park, with a win needed to guarantee a spot in the play-offs.

McNally, who signed for the Welsh club from Bath in 2024, is employed as a weapons engineer by the RAF and allow him to play for Cardiff as part of the organisation’s elite athlete programme.

However, the RAF expect the 35-year-old to play in their showpiece games against the British Army and Royal Navy each season.

They did allow McNally to miss the RAF vs Navy match in April, in order to play against the Scarlets.

The RAF play the Army in Gloucester on Saturday, a day after Cardiff’s clash with Stormers.

McNally’s involvement in any game this weekend is in some doubt, after he suffered a head injury in Cardiff’s 40-17 defeat to Glasgow Warriors last Friday.

McNally has played the most minutes for Cardiff in the league this season having been involved in all 17 URC games.

His absence leaves Rory Thornton and George Nott as the only fit senior specialist locks.

McNally adds to the number of Cardiff absentees for the match, with Josh Adams injured last week, adding to Alex Mann and Teddy Williams on the physio table. All three were selected for Wales’ summer matches.

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