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Sherratt satisfied with losing bonus-point and points to bright future

First Team News | 30th March 2024


Matt Sherratt was disappointed to lose at Thomond Park but he insists Cardiff have a bright future thanks to the young talent establishing themselves in Blue and Black.

The Arms Park outfit could have claimed a first ever BKT United Rugby Championship victory at the Munster venue with a little bit more accuracy and luck. 

But against a fully-loaded reigning champion team, they went down fighting and salvaged a losing bonus-point, their eighth of the season. 

Sherratt said: “We can probably copy and paste nine of the last ten games really. 

“First and foremost it's disappointing. We want to win games and I know there'll be a little bit of frustration, but I think if you let the dust settle to come to Glasgow away, Munster away, two top four teams, stacked with all their internationals back, British Lions coming off the bench, to come here and get a point is pretty impressive for a young group.

“It's probably a repeat message but what an effort from a young group to have a last receiving a kick off, last kick of the game when we're right in the game.

“We’ve got a great base to build off here - think of the boys who've we've finished with Evan Lloyd out there, Will Davies-King, Mackenzie Martin, Mason Grady, Jacob Beetham, Theo Cabango, Cam Winnett, Alex Mann. We’ve got a cracking base to build on there. 

“I spoke to the boys after, I'd rather have it that way round. We've got some real good talented youngsters, we've got a bag full of effort. When we get them a little bit more experienced and we shave off some rough edges in terms of some decision making and little bits and pieces around contact area and things like that, we're not far away from being a pretty good team.

“The pride they're showing playing for Cardiff and how they're sticking in games has been magnificent.

“In those games previously, we could have easily fallen apart. We defended multi-phase in the first half, probably five, six times where we were really hanging on. And as a coach, you're waiting really for the dam to burst but the dam tonight stayed intact for much longer.

“We're in a decent place, we've got a good base to build on, a very, very good base and the coaches here will turn these narrow losses into wins but as I said before, there needs to be a bit of patience.” 

Cardiff now have two weeks without a fixture before travelling to face Ulster at Ravenhill, followed by Edinburgh at home.

Sherratt added: “They're freshening up next week, a few of the boys have got a bit of a break planned and then we've got a two-week build-up to Ulster. 

“Our last home game then at the Arms Park and our supporters have been fantastic this year. I'd love it if they come out in force and give people a send-off and show their support to a group of players who have done the club proud.”