How Cardiff made the next step to United Rugby Championship play-offs

Cardiff have the biggest contingent in Tandy’s latest Wales 48-strong squad for the summer games with 12 players provided from the Blue and Blacks.

But those names do include some of Cardiff’s star performers this season, with a number of unsung heroes needing to be recognised.

Van Zyl has knitted together a squad allied with his own characteristics. No thrills, no nonsense and gritty.

Back-row trio Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence and Taine Basham have excelled and provide different qualities.

Thomas, arguably Cardiff‘s player of the season, has been a breakdown turnover machine and tackle demon, nearing the top the URC charts in both facets.

Thomas has been vying in the tackles made section with Lawrence, who has also featured at the summit of the league carries section.

Since joining from Dragons, Basham has improved throughout the campaign and produced a towering player-of-the-match performance against Stormers.

Lock Rory Thornton has had his influential season, while Jacob Beetham has converted to wing and must wonder why he had been ignored by Wales.

Fly-halves Callum Sheedy and Lloyd have provided effective contributions in different ways, while Wales Under-20s wing Tom Bowen has delivered some of the champagne moments with spectacular try-scoring finishes.

Cardiff have also benefitted from the non-Welsh influences.

Ex-England lock Josh McNally has impressed with his power and durability after being involved in 17 league games before missing the final game against Stormers because of his Royal Air Force (RAF) playing commitments.

South African scrum-half Johan Mulder has proved why some fans hope he will qualify for Wales on residency, while Scotland prop Javan Sebastian has become an unlikely source of important tries.

These individuals, and others like George Nott and Danny Southworth, form the core and heart of the Cardiff squad. Few star names, but effective nonetheless.

“It’s all about the squad and when they come in, they step up to the occasion,” said Van Zyl.

“Whatever team we put out, whoever is getting the jersey, it doesn’t matter because we back the squad.”