Jacob Beethan takes a great inside pass and links with Ben Thomas, before the ball makes it way to Tom Bowen on the left wing.

He darts into the 22 before Callum Sheedy chips cleverly behind the Ospreys defence but the ball bounces agonisingly into touch by the corner flag!

Ospreys first to threaten as Jack Walsh makes a break in midfield but his pass doesn't go to hand.

Luke Morgan does gather the loose ball just outside the 22 but is swarmed on by the Cardiff defence and the winger is pinged for holding on.

On a gloriously sunny evening in the capital city, Ben Thomas gets us underway.

A reminder the last time the Ospreys LOST at this ground was 1 September 2007, before many younger fans in attendance tonight were even born.

So long ago in fact, that Justin Marshall was playing.

Cardiff might have home advantage for this, but in the past two decades that hasn't worked in their favour against Ospreys

The visitors are unbeaten at the Arms Park since 1 September 2007 and have lost just one of their last five meetings with their hosts.

Their last clash at this venue finished 13-13 in December 2024, despite Ospreys having James Fender sent off in the first-half.

History will mean little during the 80 minutes, but the Blue and Blacks certainly need to re-address the balance tonight.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It has been another surreal week for Ospreys head coach for Mark Jones, but this time he's able to react with a smile on his face.

He said the news that the Y11 deal had fallen through had lifted players and fans.

"It's positive for Welsh rugby in general, not just the Ospreys," said the former Wales wing.

"The outlook is looking a lot more positive over the next couple of seasons. If everything is signed off then we get some security around all areas of the agreement for another season on top of next year. That definitely helps around staffing, player recruitment, retention and general morale. It's a big help for everybody."

Jones also denied that damaging Cardiff's play-off hopes was a motivation for his side, adding: "We're looking at this as an opportunity. We need to be there on that final weekend with something to play for if somebody does not get their work done.

"It's more around our motivation rather than trying to upset one of your rivals."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Corniel van Zyl could have been forgiven for being elated after his side came back from 24-7 down late on at Parc Y Scarlets, but he's warned players they can ill-afford a similar display tonight.

“We obviously had a great result against the Scarlets but we were not happy about the middle 60 minutes and we have spoken a lot about that," said Van Zyl.

He also claimed lessons have been learned from their 33-22 defeat to Ospreys on New Year's Day, adding: “We know what is coming against the Ospreys. They have a very good set-piece and they are dangerous on the counterattack.

“They physically dominated us at the Brewery Field in January. It was one of our worst performances of the season and we didn’t put what we pride ourselves on the pitch.

“But we are back at home for one of the last times this season, there is plenty to play for and we are excited for the challenge ahead. “It looks like the Arms Park is heading for a sellout so it will be a great occasion and a brilliant atmosphere."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Filo Tiatia’s men enjoyed a Challenge Cup quarter-final win against Zebre and now hunt a victory in the URC.

Dragons have not won on their travels in the URC since beating Scarlets in Llanelli in April 2022, while their previous victory outside Wales was at Connacht in October 2021.

It would be understandable if they are a little distracted by their semi-final at Montpellier a week on Sunday but Tiatia has named a strong side.

They will hope for victory and for a clean bill of health, with key men Aaron Wainwright, Ben Carter and Angus O’Brien returning to the starting line-up.

Dragons: O'Brien (co-capt); Richards, Paea, Owen, J Rosser; de Beer, R Williams; Martinez, Coghlan, Lewis, Douglas, Carter (co-capt), Lewis-Hughes, Young, Wainwright.

Replacements: Dee, R Jones, James, Screech, S Davies, M Lloyd, Ackerman, Anderson.

Cardiff v Ospreys isn't our only featured game tonight, we'll also be bringing you updates from other URC fixtures, including Dragons' trip to Zebre.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Gareth Thomas has been withdrawn from the Ospreys starting XV despite passing a head injury assessment during the week.

The Wales prop was forced off in Bridgend last Saturday and not able to return, but was initially deemed fit to start tonight. However, just two hours before kick-off it was confirmed he had been replaced by Steffan Thomas.

Fellow front rower Garyn Phillips is also ruled out but wing Luke Morgan, who suffered online abuse during the week after his challenge on Sharks' Ethan Hooker left the Springbok star with a dislocated shoulder, retains his place.

Head coach Mark Jones has made two key back-line changes, with centre Keiran Williams replacing Boshoff and Reuben Morgan-Williams starting at scrum-half instead of Kieran Hardy.

Elsewhere, second row Rhys Davies is recalled with Huw Sutton dropping to the bench.

Ospreys: Walsh; Kasende, Watkin, K Williams, L Morgan; Edwards, Morgan-Williams; S Thomas, Parry, Botha, R Davies, Smith, Ratti, J Morgan (capt), M Morris.

Replacements: Daniel, C Jones, Warren, Sutton, Moriarty, Deaves, Hardy, Nagy.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The dramatic win over Scarlets did come at a cost for Corniel van Zyl, with both James Bothan and Mason Grady picking up injuries to rule them out tonight.

Another Welsh international in Josh Adams also remains sidelined, with the head coach making five changes to the XV that prevailed in west Wales.

Wing Tom Bowen replaces Grady for his first Cardiff appearance since January, while back-row duo Taine Basham and Dan Thomas start.

Alex Mann was initially named on the bench but is a late withdrawal with Elijah Evans taking his place.

In the front five, Rory Thornton and prop Javan Sebastian replace George Nott and Keiron Assiratti. Skipper Liam Belcher is fit to start but Van Zyl has named two other hookers - Evan Lloyd and Daf Hughes - on the bench.

Cardiff: Winnett; Beetham, B Thomas, Jennings, Bowen; Sheedy, Mulder; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Thornton, Lawrence, D Thomas, Basham.

Replacements: Hughes, Southworth, Assiratti, Nott, E Lloyd, E Evans, Bevan, I Lloyd

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Good evening all.

So, an important night in the United Rugby Championship (URC) following a week where Welsh rugby has been in the news for off-field politics. Feels like we have been here before this season, doesn't it?

But after months of fall-out and uncertainty, just 48 hours ago the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced its controversial plan of selling Cardiff to Ospreys owners, Y11 Sport & Media, had fallen through.

Good news for Ospreys fans who had been fearing for their team's future, but a blow to those who had been prepping inevitable references to the 'Y11 derby'.

Still, there is plenty on the line at Cardiff Arms Park tonight. After their sensational comeback win at Scarlets last week, the Blue and Blacks need a win to cement their top-eight place as they bid to make the play-offs.

Despite their own win over Sharks, for Ospreys that dream has all but died, but victory will secure them the Welsh Shield in their rivals' back yard.

So, with a capacity crowd expected, for once we can focus entirely on the rugby and not background turmoil.

On that note, time to look at the team news.