Back to business on the field as Cardiff and Ospreys clash

CARDIFF have made five changes as they look to keep up their United Rugby Championship playoff hopes against the Ospreys at the Arms Park tonight (7pm).

- BEN JAMES Rugby writer

Tom Bowen will make his first Cardiff appearance since January

Friday's Welsh derby has plenty riding on it, with both sides still in contention for a top eight finish. Cardiff are on course to reach the URC playoffs for the first time, currently sitting in sixth.

As for the Ospreys, they sit 10th in the league and still harbour a slim chance of making the top eight. They are unbeaten against Welsh sides in the URC this season.

The fixture comes just days after a deal for Ospreys’ owners, Y11, to buy Cardiff fell through - only adding another subplot to the Welsh derby.

For Cardiff, there’s a handful of changes off the back of last week's dramatic comeback victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli.

Wales U20s flyer Tom Bowen makes his first appearance for Cardiff since January, starting on the wing following injury to Mason Grady last week.

In the pack, Taine Basham and Dan Thomas start in the back-row as Alex Mann moves to the bench, with James Botham ruled out.

Rory Thornton starts in the second-row alongside Josh McNally, with George Nott on the bench.

Last week's two-try hero Javan Sebastian starts, replacing Keiron Assiratti in the starting lineup.