Cardiff Rugby player ratings vs Dragons RFC as Cardiff move into the top quarter of the United Rugby Championship table at the Arms Park despite an attempted fightback from the Dragons. 

The Dragons haven’t recorded a win in the Capital since 2014 and for almost 30-minutes they were in with a shout. However, after that quiet opening 30-minutes the hosts got into gear and scored four tries which ultimately took the game away from the visitors.

There were some positives as when Evan Lloyd came on, he seemed to add value to the visitors attack scoring once and also replacement Aki Seiuli scored but it was too little too late for Filo TiaTia’s Dragons side. 

As tries from early replacement Alex Mann, Harri Millard, Callum Sheedy and Rey Lee-Lo proved to be the difference as Cardiff now move into the top five of the URC. 

Cardiff Rugby: 31 

Tries: Alex Mann (31), Harri Millard (40+2), Callum Sheedy (42), Rey Lee-Lo (50)

Conversions: Callum Sheedy (31, 40+2, 42, 50) 

Penalties: Callum Sheedy (6) 

Yellow Card: Josh McNally (34)  

Dragons RFC: 23

Tries: Morgan Lloyd (63), Aki Seiuli (71)

Conversions: Angus O’Brien (63, 71) 

Penalties: Angus O’Brein (10, 23, 27) 

Yellow Card: Brodie Coghlan (40+ 1)

Here’s how Cardiff Rugby rated on a big day in the Welsh Capital:

1. Ed Byrne- 4

Although he was only on the pitch for just about ten minutes and was replaced by Corey Domachowski, former Leinster man Byrne carried well and was good value in the hosts’ defence early on as the Dragons were starting to grow into the game.

2. Dafydd Hughes- 6

Similar to many of the players for Cardiff Rugby, Hughes was strong at the set piece and helped in making some plays for his side. Despite a nervy start in the lineout early on, the man who joined from the Jersey Reds back in 2023 was much more influential in attack but overall was a quiet performance from the 27-year-old. 

3. Kieron Assiratti- 6

Having featured in all of Wales’s Autumn Internationals against Fiji, Australia, and South Africa, Assiratti had a great return to league action having racked up 64 minutes. In that period, he was solid in the scrum and when needed in attack, showed some excellent handling skills and was one of many disruptors in stopping the Dragons’ attack. 

4. Josh McNally- 5

Despite the yellow card in the first half it didn’t prove to be a costly one for the hosts as they went in at the break 17-9 up. Around the breakdown area, he was great at pressuring both Dragons scrum-halves Rhodri Williams and Morgan Lloyd when they attempted to clear. The former Sergeant in the Royal Air force who arrived from Bath at the start of the season had a solid showing. 

5. Teddy Williams 4

One of the quieter players on the pitch, with maybe a lot of his work going unnoticed, but he carried well in attack and, like many of the players was great in halting the Dragons attack once they started going.  

6. Ben Donnell- 5

He went off injured, and Gethin Jenkins, in the post-match presser, could not indicate what the injury was, but Donnel for the length of time he was on, added value to Cardiff’s defence despite the Blues being slow to get going and his replacement Mann was incredibly good. 

7. Thomas Young- 5

Compared to his counterparts in the back row, Young didn’t really make an impact on the game, he carried well but I won’t lie I expected a lot more from one of the more experienced players on the pitch. 

8. Alun Lawrence- 6

In his attack, Lawrence’s carries were clever and decisive in breaking holes in the Dragons’ at times soft defence. He was constantly busy and was overall solid.

9. Aled Davies- 6

Davies looked very solid in the time he had on the field before eventually being replaced by Ellis Bevan. He showed some great handling skills and was of the main protagonist’s with the hosts attack constantly keeping the visitors guessing. 

10. Callum Sheedy- 8

Try scorer, Sheedy showed some much needed experience in the hosts attack early on and was the main dictator of his sides attack. The kicks at goal were great and like a lot of the backline you can make the argument that he could’ve been named as Player of the Match. 

11. Harri Millard- 8

One of the standout players, who has been injury-prone, was exceptional, and there could be an argument that he should’ve been named player of the match after scoring an incredible try. This came from showing excellent footwork in beating several defenders and, on a few occasions when going into contact he was getting over the gain line despite him not playing in his favoured 13 shirt.  

12. Ben Thomas ©- 8

Thomas was one of the standout players for Wales in the Autumn and he carried this form over into his return at the Arms Park. He looked comfortable in attack and was a great asset in defence which helped massively due to his side’s slow start. 

13. Rey Lee-Lo- 8

The outside centre was outstanding in attack as he ran some beautiful lines that almost startled the Dragons’ defence at times. At 50 minutes, the 37-year-old scored a well-deserved try after easily breaking through the visitor’s defence. He was also great value in defence shutting off many opportunities in the Dragons’ backline.

14. Josh Adams- 8

It was great to see the 59-cap winger back in a blue and black shirt after a long period out on the sidelines due to a hernia operation and a terrible time with his knee which kept on filling up with blood so it was great to see Adams get the full 80. Adams was training with the Welsh squad in the autumn and looked great on his return at the Arms Park. He was quality in attack and almost all the time got over the gain line as he broke easily through a poor Dragons side. 

15. Cam Winnett- 6

Named player of the match, Winnett was certainly one of the standout players for the hosts with his carrying ability being on point as he seemed to breeze past the visitors defence. He was great under the high ball despite some handling errors which sometimes proved costly early in the game.