Rhys Webb can be the Ospreys general who continues their battlefield dominance over the Cardiff Blues, according to his coach.

Steve Tandy believes Webb’s recent elevation to captain will be a decisive factor in Saturday’s Judgement Day clash at the Principality Stadium.

The Blues have not managed to beat their second city rivals for almost six years – a record of dominance that neatly illustrates the gulf in achievement between the regions in the same period – but fancy their chances after an encouraging run of one defeat in their last six Pro12 matches.

Tandy, though, reckons Webb can guide his team home in the likely absence of injured regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones.

“Rhys has been energetic in training and you could see from his reaction to our win against the Dragons how much it meant to him,” said Tandy.

“He is an international but he just loves playing rugby and he is putting a huge amount of effort into not only making the best of himself as a player, but also driving some of our young forwards.

“It’s been a big positive to see him dictating and managing forwards who do not have his experience.

“Rhys and Dan Biggar have been driving us. We have had the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Paul James and others missing, but Biggs and Webby have really taken up the mantle, dragging training standards along and being at the forefront of our attempts to play with intensity and pace.”

Both sides are making a frantic late push for European Champions Cup qualification with just rounds of the Guinness Pro12 campaign to go.

Edinburgh are sixth, but Blues are a point behind in eighth with Ospreys in ninth three points further back.

The Scots are at seventh-placed Munster on Friday night with both going into that game a point ahead of Blues and four above the Ospreys.

The outcome of the game in Limerick will leave Blues and Ospreys knowing what they must to do secure a top-six finish.

Both sides are without Wales internationals as wing Alex Cuthbert and centre Cory Allen are out for the Blues while flanker Justin Tipuric, prop Paul James and back-rower Dan Baker will miss out for Ospreys.

The four-time Pro12 champions, who are also without wing Jeff Hassler, centre JJ Engelbrecht and prop Ma’afu Fia, have never failed to qualify for Europe’s top competition but the Ospreys need to beat Blues and top-four play-off chasing Ulster.

Blues head coach Danny Wilson hopes his side add to their four wins in five Welsh derbies this season.

“It would be great if we could make that five out of six for this one,” said Wilson.

“I wouldn’t class us as favourites, but it’s where eventually we want to be.”

The Blues travel to Edinburgh for their final regular-season game on Saturday 7 May while Ospreys host Ulster, who go into the coming weekend fourth in the table.

“If beating Ospreys leads into us being able to play a big winner-take-all game against Edinburgh then fantastic,” said Wilson.