It was a chastening day for Wales against South Africa, but amid the autumn campaign there were still some positives for Steve Tandy and his side, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the domestic game.
The Bulls will be without key players, including Springbok centre Jan Serfontein, for their Champions Cup opener against defending champions Bordeaux at Loftus Versfeld.
The opening block of fixtures in this season’s United Rugby Championship has drawn to a close and as the league pauses for the Quilter Nations Series, the Welsh regions have plenty to ponder both on and off the field.
Head coach Leo Cullen has selected five uncapped players in the match-day squad for Leinster Rugby’s United Rugby Championship game against Zebre Parma at the Aviva Stadium.
Iestyn Rhys-Thomas' latest URC preview as the Welsh teams prepare for a big weekend. Dragons host Cardiff in the East Wales derby, Scarlets begin their South African tour, and Ospreys aim to challenge Glasgow Warriors.
Leinster and Munster will renew their historic rivalry this weekend in the first interprovincial derby of the season, with both sides looking to make a statement in the United Rugby Championship.
Dragons defence coach Dale MacLeod has urged his side to “take another step forward” when they face Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday in Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Three Welsh regions remain winless in the United Rugby Championship, but with a draw and a postponement thrown in, could better fortunes be just around the corner?