SHERRATT FULL OF PRAISE AS PLAYERS PUT TURMOIL ASIDE

CARDIFF coach Matt Sherratt paid tribute to his players after they put the uncertainty of the last fortnight behind them to beat the Ospreys and boost their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes.

- BEN JAMES Rugby writer

Veteran Taulupe Faletau was at the forefront of the Judgement Day victory as he rolled back the years just weeks before Andy Farrell names his Lions squad.

The Arms Park side were taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union recently after going into administration.

However, they saw off the Ospreys at the Principality Stadium Day to cap a dramatic couple of weeks.

“It’s credit to the players,” said Sherratt.

“It would have been so easy for them in the last two weeks to down tools.

“I was pleased with how brave we were in attack and we were pretty good defensively.

“We managed five points and six tries against local rivals.

“It's made us the most successful Welsh region in terms of the derbies and that’s big for us as a club, especially with the backdrop of last week.”

Faletau put in a strong performance, prompting questions on whether he can reach another Lions tour.

“He's now talking about the one thing he did wrong,” added Sherratt. “He's that type.

“He's someone who gets better with games. Against Connacht, he wasn’t as sharp as he has been.

“I knew today we'd get an extra 10 per cent out of him.