Cardiff lost head coach Matt Sherratt to Steve Tandy’s backroom staff just a few days before the season started, with forwards boss Corniel van Zyl making the step up to replace him.

“We’re proud of the boys from where we started the season into how we finished,” said van Zyl.

“To end up sixth, with 16 quality teams, I say would make us proud. Unfortunately we couldn’t push on to the next step and that’s the disappointing part.”

Van Zyl guided Cardiff to 11 league victories, with eight of those coming at their Arms Park home.

With only one URC win achieved outside of Wales this season, securing an unlikely play-off victory in South Africa against a former tournament winner was always going to be a tough ask.

The squad landing just a few days before the fixture after a 6,000-mile flight to Cape Town added to their task.

Cardiff flanker Dan Thomas has been one of the shining lights this season and again impressed against Stormers.

The open-side did not want to accept defeat but acknowledged the steps made in the 2025-26 campaign.

“Everyone was happy with how the season went, we made the play-offs which was important for the club, but no-one remembers who loses in quarter-finals,” Thomas told S4C.

“Making the play-offs is important for the club.

“It’s an odd one, we’re happy with how the season has gone, but you want silverware. It is back to the drawing board now and we need to start again.”

Cardiff have signed Australian veteran prop Scott Sio next season, which they will hope shores up a scrum taken apart by Stormers.

“It is obvious, our set-piece needs to improve,” said Thomas.

“The Stormers were dominant and we didn’t cope. We knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it.

“We know the hard work will start in pre-season.”

Adam Azim headlines at Wembley Arena this evening as one of British boxing’s brightest young talents looks to move a step closer to world title contention against battle-hardened Canadian Steve Claggett.

The unbeaten 24-year-old has long been tipped for the top, with his speed, timing and finishing ability helping him build a perfect professional record. Last time out, Azim produced arguably the best performance of his career, stopping former world title challenger Sergey Lipinets to underline his credentials at 140lbs.

Canada’s Claggett, meanwhile, arrives as a proven gatekeeper at world level and former title challenger. The 36-year-old shared the ring with Teofimo Lopez last year and could provide a test for Azim’s gas tank.

Victory for Azim would strengthen calls for a shot at a world title in the next 18 months, with the Slough fighter currently in the top 10 with the WBC, WBO and IBF. Defeat, however, would represent a major setback against an opponent brought in to test, rather than derail, his rise.

Stay with Boxing News for a live scorecard, round-by-round updates and the final result from Wembley Arena.

Adam Azim vs Steve Claggett live scorecard

This is a Boxing News live scorecard and not the official score from the judges.

Adam Azim vs Steve Claggett fight result

Azim TKO 3. Hugely impressive from Azim, who couldn’t miss with the uppercut. He burst Claggett’s nose in the first, dropped him in the second and forced referee Victor Loughlin to step in and stop it in the third. The Canadian’s come-forward pressure just could not work against such a precise and punishing puncher in Azim, who moves on to world level.

In 33 fights, nobody has been able to solve the puzzle that Naoya Inoue presents. Does an unbeaten retirement await one of boxing’s modern greats?

The Japanese phenomenon has 27 knockouts and recently beat countryman Junto Nakatani in Tokyo to solidify his position at the top of the pound-for-pound list.

Inoue has laid out the plan for the rest of his campaign in no uncertain terms – stick around at super-bantamweight for one more fight, likely Jesse Rodriguez, before moving up to featherweight in pursuit of belts in a fifth division.

If that is how things play out, there are currently four champions waiting for him: the WBO’s Rafael Espinoza, the WBA’s Brandon Figueroa, the IBF’s Angelo Leo and the WBC’s Bruce Carrington.

Though not the only titlist at 126lbs to call Inoue out, Carrington has been perhaps the most vocal, and has now doubled down on his claim that defeating ‘The Monster’ would not be too tough a night at the office.

Asked by Luis Para if he believes it is a hard matchup, ‘Shu Shu’ was clear in his answer.

“No. I think he actually plays [into] my style. I think he’s a good boxer, very twitchy and things like that, but there are certain things that I know I could use to make him fight my fight.”

Carrington then questioned whether or not Inoue’s knockout power would carry up in weight.

“To be honest, I think it will be tough. Any of the champions will give him a tough fight … I don’t think Inoue’s punching power would show as much with the champions in the featherweight division.”

Carrington won the WBC belt by stopping Carlost Castro at Madison Square Garden back in January. He puts it on the line in a first defence against Rene Palacios in July.

Meanwhile, Inoue will have a close eye on ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’s upcoming move to bantamweight against Antonio Vargas in Phoenix on June 13, with victory for the former likely locking in the Japanese champion’s final fight at 122lbs.

Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter was much talked about recently after a recent social media post that shaded her role with the team and 2026 No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd.

Less than a day following the Aces’ 95-87 loss to the Dallas Wings on Thursday, Carter criticized Fudd, who arguably had her best game in the WNBA. The Wings rookie scored 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting in her first career start. The veteran guard added that she wanted her “leash” off, which seemed to be a shade in her playing time.

“Not to mention, I made her ankle touch the ground,” Carter wrote on Threads. “But y’all can hollar at me when my leash is off, too. It’s completely unfair, even though statistically, it’s not even close.”

On Saturday, Carter said that she will have a break from social media following the criticism she received.

“30 day ban starting now, bc you drag situations. You’ll learn this app is a free app and fans dont own it!” Carter said.

Several people reacted to Carter’s latest Threads post, with one account saying that she might have been issued a warning by Aces coach Becky Hammon.

“Becky told her to STFU or is she is playing in Mexico soon,” the post said.

“They using u as clickbait, trying to get likes! Can’t wait until u show them! Ur come up, is close! Deals!” another fan wrote.

“This wasn’t even a situation until you said something. You’re a vet but are acting like a rookie maturity wise. You should acknowledge where Azzi had you in the game and use that to help you improve. Talent should recognize talent no matter what experience, stats, age, team, etc. You can stand up for yourself without shading other people,” a fan posted.

Amid the numerous criticisms of Carter, some fans expressed their support for the 5-foot-9 guard.

“Is the ban on fans or on yourself?” one fan replied.

“Girl why Azzi though? Most of her fans were rooting for you, too. You two are both great players who both have had their careers interrupted, but who we still believed in completely. And Lord knows that girl don’t bother nobody. Why Azzi mannn?” another fan said.

“Lil sis. Protect your peace. You’re having a career year and definitely on your way to being 6POY. Leave this social media alone and go get that ring, fam,” a fan commented.

Last month, Las Vegas signed Carter to a training camp contract. According to Spotrac, the deal was worth $277,500 for one year.

Carter has played in all of the Aces’ seven games this season. She is averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game on 64.6% shooting, including 56.3% from 3-point range, 21.9 minutes off the bench. She is the team’s second-leading scorer behind four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the league’s leader in bench points.

WNBA analyst addresses Chennedy Carter’s recent social media posts

WNBA analyst Grant Young of Sports Illustrated chimed in on what he described as a social media outburst by Chennedy Carter. Young doubled down on several of the fan comments that they felt like Carter had turned the corner in her first season with Las Vegas.

“The problem is that these questions had followed Chennedy throughout her career,” Young said. “And it makes it seem like she could not never get out of her own way. That’s why I find this disappointing, especially because for a while, it seems like Chennedy was finally making it that her basketball was the only thing people were talking about.”

Young added that throwing shots at Azzi Fudd was unnecessary, as the rookie had nothing to do with Carter’s role with the Aces. He also said that being frustrated with coaches is a normal occurrence in sports, but there was no need to air it publicly.

Las Vegas has brought back its championship core from last season, and Carter has filled the role of backup guard Dana Evans, who is recovering from a leg injury.