2024 Cardiff vs Dragons

Watch The Welsh Derby: Cardiff Vs. Dragons Rugby In Round 7 URC Action

Watch The Welsh Derby: Cardiff Vs. Dragons Rugby In Round 7 URC Action

Cardiff Rugby hosts the Dragons and interim coach Filo Tiatia, as Josh Adams makes his return.

Nov 30, 2024 by FloRugby Staff
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After six months on the sidelines, Wales wing Josh Adams can’t wait to step out at a “pumping” Arms Park for the Derby Day clash with the Dragons at 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 30.

He hasn’t played since May due to a hernia operation and a “nightmare” with his knee, which kept on filling up with blood. But he’s now fully recovered and ready to return to action for Cardiff in front of a bumper crowd.  

“I thought I was going to be back sooner, but nothing is ever as smooth as you want it to be,” he said. “When you have setbacks, you can’t really see the end. But I am there now, so I am delighted. I am feeling good. It’s been a long time, so I am itching to get back out there. I’m really glad I am back on the pitch and fully fit. I’m fresh and raring to go for the first time in a long while.”  

Now 29, Adams cherishes being able to take to the field all the more these days, with the passing years. 

“You take things for granted a bit when you are younger, you do naturally,” he said. “You think you have got bags of time. Then, as you get on a bit, you sort of appreciate every time you get to play because your body picks up more niggles and bangs, and you spend a little bit more time in the physio room than you want. I probably realize how quickly the first part of my career has gone when you look back at it now.”  

The 59-cap Adams, who trained with Wales during the autumn as part of his rehab, couldn’t have picked a much bigger domestic game for his return, and he is excited by the prospect of performing in front of another full house at the Arms Park.

“The turnouts we get here are brilliant,” he said. “For them to show up every week certainly makes a difference to us. Running out here on Saturday, hopefully this place is packed to the rafters and pumping. It honestly does give you an extra 5 or 10% of energy when you need it, especially when you are down close to the opposition line. 

"You can hear everyone on the edge of their seats, and the noise starting to rise. It does feed to us as players on the field. Those are the moments you really miss when you are not playing - being able to really take in the crowd, that, and the feeling of elation in the changing room after winning a tight game.”  

Ben Thomas, who started all three autumn tests for Wales, skippers the Cardiff side from the center, while Keiron Assiratti packs down at tight-head prop having also figured against Fiji, Australia and South Africa, with fellow international Cam Winnett at fullback.  

The Dragons have former Ospreys great Filo Tiatia at the helm for the first time following the departure of head coach Dai Flanagan. They welcome back wing Rio Dyer, No. 8 Aaron Wainwright and scrum-half Rhodri Williams from Wales duty, with Angus O’Brien captaining the side from fullback.  

URC Standings Table After Round 6

Rank

Team

Played

Won

Lost

Drawn

For

Against

Pts Diff

Bonus

Points

1

Leinster

6

6

0

0

185

72

113

5

29

2

Glasgow Warriors

6

4

2

0

198

114

84

7

23

3

Vodacom Bulls

5

4

1

0

137

94

43

3

19

4

Emirates Lions

5

4

1

0

129

95

34

2

18

5

Connacht

6

3

3

0

163

160

3

6

18

6

Scarlets

6

3

2

1

136

117

19

2

16

7

Ulster

6

3

3

0

150

161

-11

4

16

8

Cardiff Rugby

6

3

3

0

130

155

-25

4

16

9

Hollywoodbets Sharks

5

3

2

0

142

152

-10

3

15

10

Edinburgh

6

2

4

0

146

147

-1

5

13

11

Benetton

6

2

3

1

119

145

-26

3

13

12

Munster

6

2

4

0

146

176

-30

4

12

13

Stormers

5

2

3

0

118

127

-9

2

10

14

Ospreys

6

2

4

0

111

148

-37

2

10

15

Dragons RFC

6

1

5

0

106

173

-67

3

7

16

Zebre

6

1

5

0

84

164

-80

3

7

URC Rugby Schedule For Round 7 Fixtures

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URC Rugby Fixtures Friday, Nov. 29

URC Rugby Fixtures Saturday, Nov. 30

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