Dan Thomas believes Cardiff can look back on the 2025/26 season with pride, but insists the disappointment of their United Rugby Championship quarter-final exit must drive the squad to greater heights next year.

The openside flanker, who was voted Players’ Player of the Season by his teammates, played a key role in helping the Blue & Blacks secure a place in the URC play-offs for the first time.

Cardiff’s campaign ultimately came to an end away to the Stormers in Cape Town, bringing a close to a season that featured significant progress under Corniel Van Zyl. While Thomas acknowledged the achievement of reaching the knockout stages, he admitted the squad are feeling the sting of knockout defeat.

“The disappointment is really obvious,” said Thomas.

“I know everyone’s feeling it. I’m obviously happy with the season we’ve had. We made the play-offs, which is the most important thing for us as a club.

“But at the end of the day, losing in the quarter-finals is a shame because obviously you want to be getting to the finals.”

“For us, the season’s been good, but it’s tough for it to end now,” he said.

The flanker believes Cardiff now have a clear understanding of what is required to take the next step and establish themselves as genuine contenders in the competition.

While the squad showed resilience throughout the campaign and collected several impressive results, Thomas identified the set-piece as a key area for improvement heading into next season.

“The obvious place for improvement is set piece,” he explained.

“We were scrambling all over the place in that regard. When you get to the quarter-finals you’ve got to be more dominant because, at the end of the day, if we’re going to be the best in the competition, we’ve got to beat people.”

The honesty reflects a squad determined not to stand still after reaching the play-offs. Cardiff’s players and coaches have repeatedly spoken about building sustainable progress, and Thomas believes the lessons learned from this season will prove valuable moving forward.

With the campaign now over, attention turns to a well-earned break for much of the squad, while Cardiff’s international contingent prepare for a busy summer programme.

“The lads have some time off,” said Thomas.

“Obviously, the international boys are heading into camp, and we’ve got to prepare for next season in pre-season.

“The lads are definitely going to enjoy the holidays coming up, and then we go again.”