United Rugby Championship 2025/26: What defines a strong campaign for the Welsh regions?
Dragons' new signing Harry Beddall had an excellent 2024/25 with Wales Under-20s and Hartpury University
©BUCS Super Rugby/Ashley Crowden
The United Rugby Championship (URC) returns this weekend, with 15 sides aiming to prevent Leinster from retaining their crown.
The Irish giants secured their first title of the URC era last season, winning 16 of their 18 regular season fixtures before dispatching the Scarlets, Glasgow Warriors, and the Bulls en route to glory.
In Wales, uncertainty has clouded the summer following the WRU’s proposed plan to cut the number of professional teams from four to either three or two.
Nevertheless, the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff, and Dragons are all set to begin their campaigns with stern opening-round challenges.
Dwayne Peel’s Scarlets welcome Munster to Parc y Scarlets, while Mark Jones’ Ospreys start their season in South Africa against the Bulls. Cardiff kick off at home against the Lions, and the Dragons head to Ulster.
So, what can we expect from the Welsh regions in 2025/26 and where might they finish in this year’s URC?
Awkward Sherratt exit overshadows Cardiff’s solid foundations
Cardiff will hope to improve on last season’s ninth-place finish, but preparations have been disrupted by the sudden departure of head coach Matt Sherratt. He joins the Wales national side as attack coach, having previously stepped in as acting head coach during the Six Nations and the summer tour of Japan.
In his absence, assistant coaches Corniel van Zyl, Jonny Goodridge, Scott Andrews, and Gethin Jenkins will lead the team until a replacement is appointed.
Sherratt had developed an attractive brand of rugby at Cardiff, though narrow defeats in key battles often proved costly.
Pre-season results included victories over Richmond and champions Leinster, with teenager Tom Bowen catching the eye after an impressive breakthrough year in 2024/25 alongside his Wales Under-20s duties.
The club has also strengthened, with Wales internationals Ioan Lloyd (fly-half, from Scarlets) and Taine Basham (flanker, from Dragons) among the arrivals. Basham, in particular, will be eager to revive his international career after last featuring for Wales in February 2024.
Despite the disruption, Cardiff should continue their running, attack-minded style. Play-off ambitions may again prove just out of reach, though success in Europe’s Challenge Cup - where they triumphed in 2010 and 2018 - could offer another route to silverware.
Ospreys eye return to the top eight
After reaching the URC play-offs in 2022/23, the Ospreys slipped to 12th last season amid off-field upheaval. Toby Booth departed as head coach in December, with Mark Jones stepping up and sparking an improvement in results before momentum stalled late on.
Recruitment has been modest, with just four signings. They include lock Ryan Smith from Queensland Reds and Wales international Ross Moriarty, who returns after a spell in France with Brive. The focus instead has been on retention, with internationals Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, and Owen Watkin among those committing their futures.
One new face to watch is hooker Efan Daniel, who has arrived from Cardiff and will compete with Lewis Lloyd for a place behind Lake.
For the Ospreys to challenge for the top eight, squad fitness will be vital after injuries disrupted last season. The set-piece remains a concern, particularly with Adam Beard leaving for Montpellier and Justin Tipuric retiring. Much will rest on 35-year-old tighthead Tom Botha anchoring the scrum.
Having reached the Challenge Cup quarter-finals last year, progression in Europe is again within reach if parity in the set-piece can be achieved.
Scarlets fly the flag with Champions Cup challenge
The Scarlets were Wales’ standout team last season, edging into the URC play-offs before losing to Leinster. Smart recruitment bolstered their pack, while Ellis Mee and Blair Murray earned Wales honours.
This summer has brought mixed fortunes. Vaea Fifita and Alex Craig have departed, and depth at fly-half has been hit by the exits of Ioan Lloyd and Charlie Titcombe. Yet the return of Joe Hawkins from Exeter Chiefs is a major boost. Capable at both fly-half and inside centre, Hawkins is once again eligible for Wales selection.
There’s further good news with lock Jake Ball returning from retirement, while back-three cover arrives in the form of Welsh-qualified Gloucester youngster Ioan Jones.
The fixture list is challenging, with two Irish sides and three South African opponents in the opening five matches, followed by festive Champions Cup clashes against Bordeaux-Bègles, Northampton Saints, and Bristol Bears. That will test squad depth but provide invaluable experience for youngsters such as Harry Thomas and Josh Morse.
Macs Page, fresh from a summer tour with Wales, will be another player to watch. If Peel’s side can remain competitive in Europe and secure another URC play-off berth, it would represent a strong campaign.
Dragons aim for respectability after dismal Year
The Dragons endured a miserable 2024/25, managing just two wins in 22 games across all competitions. They finished bottom of the URC and failed to progress in the Challenge Cup.
Head coach Filo Tiatia has shaken up his backroom staff with the addition of defence coach Dale MacLeod, while a remarkable 17 new players have been recruited. Among them are Cardiff trio Thomas Young, Seb Davies, and Tinus de Beer, plus Wales props Dillon Lewis and Wyn Jones who join from Harlequins.
Exciting young talent also arrives. Wales Under-20s captain Harry Beddall returns from Leicester Tigers, and Mackenzie Martin joins on loan from Cardiff. Martin, capped five times by Wales in 2024, can cover both No.8 and blindside flanker.
The opening block, including two home derbies at Rodney Parade in October, will be crucial for building confidence. After years of underachievement, simply becoming competitive again and mixing it with mid-table teams would mark progress for the men of Gwent.
