Matt Sherratt has again identified Cardiff’s lack of discipline as reason for his side’s defeat.
The Blue and Blacks fell to a 35-20 loss last night to Connacht in their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 clash at Dexcom Stadium.
They were very much in the game throughout the encounter, and evenly matched according to Cardiff’s head coach.
However, two Cardiff players were shown yellow cards, and the hosts took full advantage, running in three tries when the visitors were down to 14 men.
“It was a tight game, two teams pretty evenly matched,” said Sherratt.
“We had two yellow cards, so it’s a little bit of a running theme and it’s something that we need to solve.
“They scored 21 points when we were down to 14 men. The one before half time was a little bit of a killer and then one team took the chances and one didn’t.
“We had a five metre line out, we got done for blocking. Tap penalty five metres out and then a line break in the bottom corner at the end.
“A little bit disappointed with that decision but we’ve got to be better ourselves and ultimately that was a difference in a pretty evenly matched contest.
“We’ve just got to get our game on the pitch for longer periods so working hard around getting the ball back on contestable kicks.
“We’re working really hard on our first three phases. Nothing’s going to change on that.
“It’s just making sure that the things that we can control, like our discipline, like keeping possession, we’ve got to get better at for these last four games because we’re going to fight right until the end this season.
Cardiff looked very dangerous with ball in hand at times, and scored three tries through Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas and Josh Adams. That threat is something Sherratt wants to see more of.
“I thought when we got some flow and attack and when we got a phase attack on the field, we looked pretty dangerous against a good Connacht defence as well.
“But it’s just making sure that we get our launch right, and do that enough, we get into our shape, and when we do, we look pretty dangerous.
The Blue and Blacks are next in action on Saturday, 19th April against Ospreys at Judgement Day.
It’s a huge game for Cardiff, who currently sit in 9th place in the BKT United Rugby Championship and are in contention for a spot in the playoffs with just four matches remaining.
“We can’t wait for it, and Josh Adams spoke at the end in the huddle how much he’s looking forward to getting back and playing with this group,” added Sherratt.
“They’re a good group. We want to finish the season for our supporters to have something to cheer about right until the very end and that will be our goal.
“We’ll rest up this week and then we’ll attack these last four games and give it everything.”