Matt Sherratt was disappointed to fall to defeat at the hands of Connacht in the European Challenge Cup but focussed on the positives following another spirited display.
Cardiff knew they had to win to guarantee a place in the knockout stages and give themselves the best possible chance of a home draw. But they came up short against a full strength Connacht determined to secure top seeding in the competition.
With some 15 players sidelined through injury stretching the squad to its limit, it was always going to be a big challenge against the Pool’s in form side. And while Cardiff rose to the challenge and pushed Connacht all the way, with opportunities to salvage a bonus-point or two in the closing stages, it was not enough and they were left empty handed.
The Blue & Blacks can still sneak into the Round of 16, with a rematch against Connacht in Galway one of the most likely scenarios, they are reliant on other results.
Reflecting on the night’s performance and campaign in general, Sherratt said: “A win would have guaranteed us knockout rugby, but there were so many permutations in this last round it wasn’t really worth worrying about anything else (other than winning).
“So we had that conversation obviously with five minutes to go, do we kick for goal and take a point, but we were trying to be brave and went for the two point. Unfortunately it was not to be so we’ll see what the shakeout is over the weekend.
“I actually thought it was a better performance than we’ve put in against Ospreys and Perpignan. I thought our first few sets of attack were very good. We asked a lot of questions of a good Connacht side.
“Defensively, we were very brave, defended for multi-phase, got the ball back on numerous occasions. But it was probably the first half in terms of the amount we had to defend, took our legs away in that last 15 minutes a little bit.
“So I’m pretty pleased with a lot of the elements of the performance, but obviously disappointed not to get anything in the end.”
Sherratt set two clear objectives at the outset of the competition – to secure knockout rugby at the Arms Park and to further develop the young talent in the squad.
And while Cardiff failed in the first objective, Sherratt has been delighted with the way young players handed opportunities, largely due to an extensive injury list, have grasped their chance.
He continued: “We wanted two things; We wanted a home knockout, so we haven’t got that. But what we have got out of it, and some of it’s been forced in terms of quite a few injuries over the last couple of weeks, is blooding youngsters.
“There’s been some shining lights in the competition for us as well. It’s probably a message to myself as well, is to take a breath and remember that it’s going to be a slow burner. We’re not going to go from last year to this year where we’re competing in knockouts and I know we’re top three at the moment (in the URC), but it’s going to be something we have to have a little bit of patience with.
“So the second part we wanted out of Europe was to blood some youngsters. There’s Stef Emanuel playing away in Lyon is massive. Tom Bowen’s played his third game of senior rugby tonight at 18 years of age.
“I thought Rhys Barratt in the last two weeks has been outstanding. He’s scrummaged against the Irish tight head there tonight and held his own in the scrum. And he’s showed some great stuff around the field. Alex Mann’s back at it now. Jacob Beetham I thought was good tonight.
“We’ve got some exciting youngsters here and this competition was used to freshen the squad up and to grow some of the youngsters.
“So big picture wise, I think we’re in a pretty healthy space. Fingers crossed we can get into the knockouts.
“You add Corey Domachowski, Botham, Faletau, Ben Donnell, Aled, Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Mason Grady, Theo Cabango. There’s some quality to come back in and unfortunately at the moment I think with the size of squads, we’ve got to have very good fortune with injuries to be competitive every week.
“We’re struggling to get 30 training at the moment so it’d be great, and fingers crossed they have a great Six Nations, some boys come back from injury, those boys come back fit and we can attack the second part of the season.”
Cardiff face Siya Kolisi and the Hollywoodbets Sharks next Saturday as attention turns back to the BKT United Rugby Championship. With clubs day taking place, it promises to be a packed house at the Arms Park, so don’t leave it too late and get your tickets today!