Cardiff improve United Rugby Championship play-off hopes with victory
Keiran Williams, Jack Walsh and Dan Edwards score for Ospreys
Rory Thornton, Liam Belcher and Dan Thomas score for Cardiff
Ospreys wing Daniel Kasende given a 20 minute red card
Cardiff's Liam Belcher and Josh McNally, and Ospreys duo Owen Watkin and Dan Edwards yellow carded
Wales trio ruled out for Cardiff
Gareth Thomas withdrawn from Ospreys XV before kick-off
Cardiff 24-7 Ospreys
The home crowd are on their feet as skipper Liam Belcher and Rory Thornton leave the field.
The first scrum without them does not go well mind. Cardiff are 10 metres out with the put-in but are penalised for not going in straight.
Cardiff 24-7 Ospreys
One-way traffic now as Cardiff run another close-range penalty but this time, it comes to nothing as Ospreys win in the shadow of their own posts.
The visitors are changing it up now in a bid to turn the tide. Harri Deaves and Ross Moriarty are both on - with Jac Morgan done for the evening.
Cardiff 24-7 Ospreys
Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales
A fantastic score by the forwards, undoubtedly created by the backs with some wonderful cut out passes.
A good poachers try by the seven, and you have to say Cardiff are looking good for this victory.
Zebre 3-7 Dragons
Big chance goes begging for Dragons.
They pile the pressure on in the 22 and Fetuli Paea carries hard before trying to reach over the line.
The former Zebre centre - who scored at that end for the Italians last season - knocks on.
Dan Thomas (Con: Callum Sheedy)
The third try for Cardiff!
Cam Winnett chips ahead in attack and the ball bounces wickedly into the path of Johan Mulder.
From the pressure that follows Jacob Beetham is denied by the corner flag but he stays in play, and Dan Thomas picks up from the ruck to score.
Suddenly, Cardiff are chasing a bonus point win. Ospreys are back up to 15 but have to hit back - and fast.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyZebre 3-7 Dragons
Dragons won't get a much better chance to end their URC away nightmare than this because Zebre have been very poor so far.
Errors galore in a game that hasn't really got going.
Cardiff 17-7 Ospreys
With Dan Edwards off, temporary fly-half Jack Walsh has twice launched an old fashioned 'Garryowen' and the second one is spilled by Tom Bowen.
Ospreys can't capitalise though, making their way into the 22 before giving away a penalty in possession.
Jared Rosser (Con: Angus O'Brien)
Fast hands by Tinus de Beer puts Thomas Young in space down the left wing and the flanker puts wing Jared Rosser over for a simple score, his first since December.
Nice attack and Dragons hit the front, with Angus O'Brien adding the extras.
Liam Belcher (Con: Callum Sheedy)
The captain delivers!
Twice, Cardiff opt to run close-range penalties and a strong carry from Liam Belcher takes him over the line. Callum Sheedy adds the easy extras and the home side have daylight again.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyCardiff 10-7 Ospreys
Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales
There was so much space there and that was so deliberate, I think that should have been a penalty try.
Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
The Ospreys are hell-bent on doing things the hard way tonight.
Cardiff press in the 22 and Callum Sheedy looks to go wide - only for Dan Edwards to stretch out a hand and knock the ball forward.
Little attempt to catch that and as a result, we have the most blatant sin-bin you'll ever see.
Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales
Whoever starts well will take the momentum.
From an Ospreys perspective they've got some really good players on the bench, the likes of Harri Deaves and Ross Moriarty, but we still haven't seen the likes of Jac Morgan light up this game.
If they can get a little purple patch, they're going to have some points in them.
From a Cardiff perspective, I'm not sure they did enough when Ospreys were down to 13. I felt they had to get a couple of scores then, but they only got one.
It's right in the balance, and don't forget this is a Cardiff side who are desperate and need the points to get into Europe.
Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
Cardiff do the early pressing but the Ospreys defence stands firm.
Eventually the hosts run out of ideas before a Ben Thomas grubber kick sparks a bit of pin-ball - but the referee spoils the fun by blowing up for a knock-on by Jacob Beetham.
Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
Dan Edwards does the honours and 40 minutes that might just define the season for both these sides is underway.
HT: Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
Elsewhere in the URC tonight, 12th place Edinburgh trail 11th place Sharks 0-7
HT: Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales
That bit of opportunism from Dan Edwards has really brought Ospreys back into this game. It's been a real lifeline. To go in only 10-7 down after those cards, they'll be considerably happier.
At one stage Cardiff looked like they were going to cut loose - they've got an eye on the wider channels - but they have to muscle up against this Ospreys pack.
There'll be some interesting conversations at half-time but this game is very much in the balance.
Giacomo Da Re
Zebre opt to go for goal rather than the corner after Dragons flanker Thomas Young is pinged at the breakdown.
Giacomo Da Re knocks it over.
HT: Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
While Cardiff Rugby are the ones in play-off contention, it is Ospreys who are targeting silverware tonight.
The URC Welsh Shield is a sub-competition within the league and acts as a domestic championship to determine local bragging rights, and is entirely separate from the main URC league table.
The winner is decided by head-to-head matches, not league positions, during the regular season. Ospreys are unbeaten against Welsh rivals in the URC in 2025/26 and Jones' team still have to face Scarlets on Saturday, 9 May in Bridgend.
So if they beat the current holders, Ospreys will receive the trophy at the Arms Park after the final whistle.
Zebre 0-0 Dragons
Still scoreless in Parma, where Dragons started strongly in terms of possession and territory before Zebre responded.
They kicked a penalty to the corner but were held up over the line.
An even contest between the two teams that started the round at the bottom of the table.
HT: Cardiff 10-7 Ospreys
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyWales captain Jac Morgan has been praised this week for continuing to play for Ospreys despite the recent death of his cousin Harri.
The 26-year-old flanker was named man of the match in the tense 21-17 win against Sharks last Saturday, declaring himself available despite the death of Harri Morgan in the build-up.
The flanker played in in a special jersey that was embroidered with a tribute, and coach Mark Jones said: "He led from the front. He had a tough week and he led exceptionally well and the players got behind him as well."
