Cardiff won a second Welsh derby in as many weeks as they beat Ospreys at the Cardiff Arms Park to move one step closer to United Rugby Championship play-off qualification.

Elsewhere on Friday night, Dragons beat Zebre thanks to a last minute winner from Dave Richards, and Scarlets had their own late show, but in defeat to the Bulls at Parc Y Scarlets.

Let’s get into the action…

Cardiff a step closer to play-off rugby

Cardiff’s 24-21 victory over Ospreys saw them take a step closer to securing qualification to the URC play-offs.

Having beaten Scarlets away last weekend, Cardiff made it two derby victories in two weeks, thanks to tries from forwards Dan Thomas, Rory Thornton, and Liam Belcher.

With only nine sides now able to qualify, Cardiff are six points clear of ninth-placed Connacht but have two difficult fixtures to come, at Glasgow and home against the Stormers.

“Hopefully we will get a few players back now,” said head coach Corniel Van Zyl. “The next game is the most important.

“Glasgow are a quality team, but we will go there and give it a good shot.”

Cardiff cruelly missed out on the play-offs last year, van Zyl is pleased that his side have their future in their own hands.

“It was almost like we were chasing from behind and trying to get in there,” he added.

“This season we made it a point to focus more on week to week, trying to get points where we can.”

Welsh Shield consolation for Ospreys

Defeat to Cardiff has ended Ospreys’ hopes of an unlikely play-off place, but they can still win the Welsh Shield, even if they do finish behind Friday’s opponents.

This is a sub-competition within the league which acts as a domestic championship to determine local bragging rights between the four Welsh regions.

It is separate from the main URC league table and the winner is decided by head-to-head matches, not league positions, during the regular season.

Cardiff have gone three points clear of Ospreys, who face Scarlets on Saturday, 9 May in Bridgend.

“Something tangible for us is trying to win the Welsh Shield,” said head coach Mark Jones.

“We have still got a chance of doing that, which would be something we’re proud of.

“Although Welsh rugby is perhaps not held in the esteem it has been over previous years, I still think trying to win something like this is important for your fans and players, because it is beating your closest rivals.

“That’s something we would like to get done in the next outing, but that’s going to be a big ask against a passionate Scarlets side.

“We also want some momentum into next season in terms of everything that’s gone on this year.”

Dragons win late in Italy

Dragons beat Zebre in Italy for the second time in a month, thanks to Dave Richards’ last minute winner.

In a scrappy game on Friday night, Filo Tiatia’s side ended their four-year drought for an away victory in the United Rugby Championship.

That run extends another year for a league win outside of Wales.

“There is a lot of grit and character in this group and that has been building for a long time,” said head coach Tiatia.

“I’m proud of the players for staying in the fight.“

It also provided a timely boost going into the Challenge Cup semi-final at Montpellier next Sunday, while in the league they could finish the season as high as 10th.

Scarlets stunned by late Bulls penalty

A 79th minute Handre Pollard penalty saw the Bulls snatch the victory from Scarlets, a week on from Cardiff’s remarkable turnaround at the Parc.

Scarlets fans will be thinking how they have only got two points from two games that they could – and maybe should – have won.

Scarlets have slipped to 15th, below Dragons, with Zebre propping up the table.

“The margins are narrow in professional sport and we are working hard to make sure we are on the right side of these victories,” said interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies.

“We are gradually getting there, but there were a couple of key moments in that game. Overall I am delighted with the players and how they reacted to last week.

“They were brave and we executed the game plan well, which gave us the opportunity to win the game.”

---

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.