Ben Thomas admitted Cardiff failed to get their game firing against Ospreys on New Year’s Day but reflected on a positive first half of the season.

The Blue & Blacks went into 2025 sitting third in the BKT United Rugby Championship table and on the back of a bonus-point victory over the Dragons.

But despite making a bright start at a sold out Cardiff Arms Park, thanks to an early Evan Lloyd try, the encounter stagnated with errors and indiscipline prominent.

In the end, Cardiff did well to hang on for a draw, and the two points ensured they stayed third, but it was a feeling of frustration and disappointment. 

He said: “It was a strange game to play in to be honest. I think every time we tried to get a bit of momentum, the game was stopped whether it was for their red, our yellows, us giving away cheap pens. We really struggled to get going today and I think that probably showed in our overall performance. 

“We probably did not help ourselves in executing what we wanted to. We went in with a pretty big kick focus for that second half, there was a pretty strong wind up there. From the off really, we didn’t ourselves get into any of the style of play we wanted to play. 

“We’ll have to have a good look back at that game to see the real reasons we couldn’t get going. I think it’s probably the case for both teams. We both struggled to get any foothold in the game, really, and it was pretty stalemated.

“On the whole, the block has been good for us, especially if you contrast that to last season. I know we’ve had an easier run of games so far, but we’re definitely pleased with how we’ve gone this year. 

“Today was probably a bit of a banana skin that we did slip on, but we’re probably pretty happy with the first block as a whole. It’s a funny period after Christmas in the league, it’s a very stopped start, so we’ll probably attack it similar to last year, look at blocks of two or three games.

“We’ll put a real focus on getting a result each block. Our focus will turn to Europe when we come back in on Monday. So we’ve got a few days downtime now, enjoy some time with the families and then it’s back into Europe.”

Cardiff return to action a week Saturday in the European Challenge Cup against Perpignan, before hosting Connacht in the same competition on January 17.