Lions will have their hands full again Welsh rugby's leading light

Welsh rugby could not be in darker times as the national team sits on 17 consecutive defeats but a ray of sunshine is the performance of Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The team from the Welsh capital is sixth on the URC standings and this weekend hosts the Lions.

One of the stars of the Cardiff revival is wing Harri Millard and his story is a microcosm of what is going in the Principality.

Back in 2023, Millard was left wondering whether his career was coming to an end when he was released by Cardiff amid the contractual uncertainty in Wales.

For some four months, he was without a job and considering what to do for a living.

But then Cardiff came in with a new offer and he has gone on to establish himself as a key member of the squad under Matt Sherratt, covering both wing and centre.

Sherratt was seconded to the Welsh national team when Warren Gatland was sacked.

Millard has proved himself as a quality finisher, scoring six tries in his seven appearances this term, including a brace against URC leaders Leinster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium in the last round. The Lions will have to keep an eye on him.

There would have been more outings for Millard but for a couple of knee injuries.

Those will have been frustrating, but he’s able to put such setbacks in perspective given what he went through a couple of years ago.

He says: “It was a really uncertain time. The situation in Welsh rugby wasn’t great.

“I had four months in the off-season of not knowing what I was going to do.

“I had to weigh up all the options. It was sort of scary, but, at the same time, you’ve got to deal with the cards you are dealt.

“Fortunately, I’ve got a good support system and they helped keep me physically and mentally ready.

“In the end, Cardiff came in with a new deal. I’m just grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to showcase what I can do.

“It was a turbulent time, but we got through it.”

Millard played much of his early rugby in the centres, but has been utilised primarily as a wing by Sherratt over the past couple of seasons.

“I’m enjoying playing there. There’s a bit more space on the wing, so I get to use my gas a bit more.

“If you are fast, it’s quite an easy transition from 13 to wing.

 “I do like centre as well. That’s where I always played before. I like playing both is the answer!”

Whenever he’s played this season, Millard has looked dangerous, but those opportunities have been restricted by injury.

Against the Scarlets in mid-October, he touched down twice, only to then damage his knee in making a try-saving tackle on Taine Plumtree, consigning him to a seven week lay-off.

Then, after just two games back, he suffered another knee issue — against Lyon in December — meaning a further ten weeks on the sidelines.

Next up for Cardiff is Friday night’s crucial Arms Park clash with the Lions who are just two points behind in eighth.

“I think we are going well this season and we are looking forward to the Lions,” said Millard.

“We are playing some good rugby and have scored some nice tries. When we are playing at our best, I think we can beat most teams.”