Cardiff pulled off a remarkable comeback against Scarlets in this weekend’s Welsh derby, as Ospreys beat Sharks and Dragons lost to Bulls.

Where does that leave the United Rugby Championship play-off chances of each team? Let’s get into the action!

Javan Sebastian the hero of Cardiff’s stunning comeback

Scarlets led 24-7 going into the final 10 minutes, but the hosts capitulated following yellow cards for Taine Plumtree and Blair Murray.

Cardiff capitalised as replacement prop Javan Sebastian crossed twice and full-back Cameron Winnett also scored in a 21-point spree in nine minutes.

Scarlets scored with three early second-half tries with centre Johnny Williams, scrum-half Dane Blacker and full-back Murray crossing.

With fellow play-off contenders Bulls, Connacht, Lions and Munster securing bonus-point wins, it was a vital five match points for Cardiff as they lie seventh in the table with three league weekends remaining.

There are four points covering Lions in fourth and Connacht in ninth with the top eight reaching the playoffs.

“All the teams are beating each other and you never know how it’s going to end up,” said Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl.

“At least we can control what we do and give us another shot. It shows the character in the squad to never give up.

“After being 17 points down and all of a sudden we scored a try, we knew we needed two more. Sometimes it’s easier to come from behind, chase the game and throw everything at it.”

Ospreys put off-field uncertainty behind them

Ospreys recorded a 21-17 victory over the Sharks at the Brewery Field, as the tumult of the Y11 situation was forgotten, if only for an afternoon in west Wales.

Led by inspirational flanker Jac Morgan, it was an outstanding Ospreys’ effort as they were down to 14 men for the final 15 minutes with a move to uncontested scrums.

While remaining mathematically possible, Ospreys’ play-off dreams are all but over with the teams above them winning this weekend. It still promises to be an intriguing week on and off the field between Cardiff and Ospreys.

Ospreys’ owners Y11 Sports & Media are still officially in discussions to buy Cardiff from the WRU, a process that started in January.

There are doubts whether any deal could be agreed with the latest deadline ending on Wednesday, two days before Cardiff and Ospreys face each other.

“I haven’t spoken to anybody about that,” said Ospreys head coach Jones.

“I have been solely focused with the coaches on preparing the team and making sure we got a result against Sharks.

“We made a decision some time ago just to focus on what we are here to do, which is prepare for rugby games.

“We know there are people doing their absolute best to make sure the Ospreys are in the strongest possible position it can be for Welsh rugby. I trust everybody at that level to get on with that and my job is to prepare the team.

“It’s concerning because there are livelihoods at stake.”

Dragons brought back down to earth after European adventure

Dragons have known that the URC play-offs are an impossibility for months now, but with a European Challenge Cup semi-final coming in two weekends time, their 7-47 home defeat to the Bulls will hopefully be swiftly forgotten.

“We are disappointed,” said Tiatia.

“We conceded 15 penalties and 12 turnovers in the game and couldn’t apply pressure. There were points left on the field and didn’t execute. We didn’t apply scoreboard pressure.”

Dragons return to the scene of the Challenge Cup quarter-final win against Zebre next Friday in the URC basement battle of 15th against 16th.

”We must go again and all these games are important,” said Tiatia.

“We are trying to stay in the scrap and freshen some bodies up, looking to give players an opportunity to show they are ready to go and we know where some players are at.”

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