Dragons face Cardiff on derby day, Scarlets head to South Africa and Ospreys meet Glasgow
.jpg "Callum Sheedy has been dubbed the 'assist king' for Cardiff this season")
Callum Sheedy has been dubbed the 'assist king' for Cardiff this season
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Three Welsh sides featured in matches that saw a team nilled during the third round of the United Rugby Championship, with a mix of emphatic wins and heavy defeats marking the midpoint of the opening block of fixtures.
The Ospreys recorded their first victory of the season last Saturday, claiming a convincing 24-0 win over Zebre in Swansea. Cardiff followed that up with their second success of the campaign, defeating Connacht 14-8 to keep their strong early form intact.
In contrast, the Dragons and Scarlets endured tough outings. Filo Tiatia’s Dragons were well beaten 49-0 by Glasgow Warriors, while the Scarlets suffered a humbling 34-0 defeat at home to the Stormers - their first scoreless home league loss since April 2007.
After three rounds, the Stormers and Munster lead the way as the only unbeaten teams in the competition. Italian sides Benetton and Zebre occupy the final two playoff spots, while South African teams - the Sharks and Lions remain - winless.
As the URC heads into another weekend, Welsh players will be eager to impress ahead of Steve Tandy’s autumn squad announcement on October 21st.
First Welsh derby of the season
Friday night brings the first East Wales derby of the season, as the Dragons host Cardiff at Rodney Parade.
It has been a long time since the men of Gwent celebrated victory in this fixture. Cardiff are chasing a 21st consecutive league win over their rivals, with the Dragons’ last success domestically dating back to Boxing Day 2014.
Although they did beat Cardiff in a Challenge Cup quarter-final in 2015, that remains their most recent derby triumph.
In their previous meeting last Boxing Day, the Dragons led 15-0 before conceding 24 unanswered points in a painful collapse.
Tiatia’s side will hope to bounce back after last weekend’s defeat to Glasgow, though it’s worth noting the Dragons made 12 changes for that trip north.
Internationals Aaron Wainwright, Ben Carter, and Wyn Jones all return, but injuries at centre are a concern. With Harri Ackerman and Feuteli Paea sidelined, the Dragons will hope Joe Westwood recovers from a head injury to partner Aneurin Owen in midfield.
Cardiff, meanwhile, are buoyed by the form of Callum Sheedy and teenage wing Tom Bowen. Sheedy has been dubbed the “assist king” this season, with Bowen adding two more tries against Connacht to take his tally to five.
In the pack, number eight Alun Lawrence continues to impress, leading the league in both tackles and carries, but it is Taulupe Faletau who returns to the starting XV.
Cardiff should have enough to extend their dominance in this fixture, but with the Dragons desperate for a statement win, it feels like a “now or never” moment for the home side.
Scarlets begin South African tour
It’s been a difficult start for the Scarlets, with two defeats and a postponement leaving them winless so far. Following last weekend’s home loss to the Stormers, head coach Dwayne Peel insisted his side were “not in crisis”, though injuries have certainly created one.
The second-row department has been hit particularly hard, with Jake Ball and Sam Lousi both missing the Stormers clash, while Max Douglas picked up a knock and Steve Cummings has returned to the Dragons after a short loan.
To fill the gaps, the Scarlets have brought in reinforcements: Harvey Cuckson, a 21-year-old lock from Bath who helped England Under-20s to the World Championship title in 2024, and the towering Alex Groves, a 6ft 9in former Bristol and Sale forward joining from the Stormers.
The Scarlets’ mini-tour of South Africa begins in Johannesburg on Saturday against a Lions side also chasing their first win. Ivan van Rooyen’s team have suffered defeats to Cardiff, Zebre, and Benetton - with Italian international Louis Lynagh starring last weekend.
Peel’s men will aim to stay competitive in the physical exchanges, with the Lions’ set-piece not as strong as the Stormers’. Forwards Taine Plumtree and Marnus van der Merwe will be key if the Scarlets are to turn their fortunes around.
Having already won at Ellis Park this year, a repeat of that 32-19 success in May could be the spark they need to reignite their season.
Can Ospreys repeat Glasgow heroics?
Third-placed Glasgow Warriors visit Bridgend on Saturday evening to face an Ospreys side buoyed by last week’s win over Zebre.
Head coach Mark Jones will be pleased to have finally got off the mark, though his side missed out on a bonus point despite several late chances.
There will be concern over the fitness of scrum-half Kieran Hardy, who left the field with a rib injury, while fans continue to await the season debuts of Jac Morgan and new signing Ryan Smith.
Glasgow, meanwhile, bounced back from their narrow defeat to the Stormers with a seven-try demolition of the Dragons. Scrum-half George Horne scored twice, while hooker Johnny Matthews marked his 100th appearance with a try.
Franco Smith’s side continue to impress with their support play, particularly from the scrum-halves, and remain a potent force in the rolling maul.
The Ospreys famously stunned the Warriors back in March with a last-gasp Jack Walsh penalty at Scotstoun, and they will need another fast start if they’re to repeat that upset.
With Glasgow targeting a third win from four and the Ospreys seeking momentum, it promises to be a fierce contest at the Brewery Field.
