Sherratt praises form of 'all in' Cardiff wing Adams

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt praised Wales wing Josh Adams after his player-of-the-match contribution in the 24-22 United Rugby Championship (URC) derby win against Dragons.

Adams scored a fourth try in three games in his comeback from a knee injury which forced him out of action for six months.

The 29-year-old missed Wales' summer tour of Australia and three autumn defeats against Fiji, Australia and South Africa but is now back in fine form for Cardiff before the Six Nations starts next month.

"He is all in for us," said Sherratt.

"I love seeing him at the end of the game for us in terms of how emotive he is.

"You are talking about somebody who has played in World Cups and for the British and Irish Lions and he is so engaged with our group.

"He has shown all of his attributes in terms of his resilience and ability to be 100% in games.

"He has that bit of match sharpness at the moment and has looked dangerous."

Cardiff number eight Taulupe Faletau is also available again after recovering from a serious shoulder injury suffered in April.

Faletau, 34, featured in his second match in his comeback against his former Dragons side when he was involved in a fascinating duel with Dragons and Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright.

The duo are both currently number eight options for Wales head coach Warren Gatland but can also play together like they did in the 2023 World Cup when Wainwright switched to flanker.

"They are two brilliant players and I thought they both showed moments," said Sherratt.

"Toby [Taulupe Faletau] is getting back up to speed, but Aaron showed with that first try he's a powerful back rower.

"Wales are lucky to have them both."

Victory against Dragons has allowed Cardiff to rise to third in the league which Sherratt described as "brilliant" before they host Ospreys on New Year's Day.

"I'm not going to get majorly excited in December but it's a much better feeling than it has been," said Sherratt.

"We're still a club trying to grow the foundations. Getting the wins and sitting there in the table is an added bonus but we're just bubbling along really."

Cardiff have lost hooker and captain Liam Belcher with a torn calf for up to two months.

"He's probably going to be missing for between six and eight weeks which is not good news unfortunately," said Sherratt.

"We are disappointed but it's a position where we've got depth. We showed against Dragons we've got good depth at hooker.

"Dafydd Hughes was solid first-half and Evan Lloyd came on and played pretty well."