URC back for festive run as Welsh regions look to build after European highs and lows
Ospreys' Ryan Smith scored his first try for the region in the EPCR Challenge Cup
©Inpho Photography
Following two weeks of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup action, the United Rugby Championship returns with three rounds of fixtures across the festive period.
Cardiff sit second in the URC after six games, with the other three Welsh teams placed 13th, 15th and 16th respectively, although bottom of the table Scarlets did pick up their first win of the season against Glasgow Warriors in Round Six.
The Dragons are still searching for their first league victory of the campaign after two draws from their opening six games, while the Ospreys will be looking to kick on and close the gap to the teams currently in the play-off hunt.
But how did the Welsh sides fare in Europe, and can they pick up some momentum ahead of the festive derbies?
Dragons finally end losing run
The Dragons brought their near year-long winless run to an end with a dramatic comeback 23-21 victory over Top 14 side Lyon in the Challenge Cup.
After 65 minutes, they trailed 21-6 before an excellent fightback saw tries from Harri Keddie (2) and Oli Burrows. Angus O’Brien converted the final score in the last minute to seal the victory as momentum swung completely in the Dragons’ favour.
Prior to the win, their previous victory had come against Newcastle on December 15th 2024, meaning they had gone 364 days without a win before defeating the French side.
The result came at a crucial time for head coach Filo Tiatia, whose side had suffered a heavy 41-7 defeat to Perpignan, who currently sit bottom of the Top 14 table.
Following their dramatic win, full-back O’Brien stressed the importance of ensuring that victories do not become a one-off for the Dragons.
“It’s important now that we build on that and take great confidence from the way we finished the game," he said. "We’ve been so close on so many occasions at Rodney [Parade], especially this year, and to get one over the line, I think it’s massive for the group."
Dragons have now faced a short six-day turnaround as they return to league action this weekend, welcoming Connacht, who arrive off the back of a thumping 38-0 win over Georgian side Black Lion.
An injury crisis at hooker has forced the Dragons to sign two players on short-term deals over the last three weeks, with Wills Austin and George Roberts joining from English clubs Sale Sharks and Doncaster Knights, before South African tighthead prop Cebo Dlamini arrived from Suzuki Griquas.
The Rodney Parade club will be looking to avoid a 24th URC match without victory when they welcome the Irish province in Round Seven, although they have picked up two draws in their home fixtures so far this campaign.
Stuart Lancaster’s side could potentially recall outside-half Josh Ioane and Irish international Cian Prendergast, who have both recovered from injury, but will be without back-three trio Sean Naughton, Mack Hansen and Byron Ralston.
It would provide a significant confidence boost for the Men of Gwent ahead of the festive derbies if they were to spring a surprise against their Irish opponents this weekend. However, Connacht are expected to start as favourites, despite having thrown away a 21-point lead against Ospreys earlier this month.
Ospreys start Challenge Cup with maximum points
And speaking of that Connacht defeat, it was part of a very successful opening block of Challenge Cup fixtures for the Ospreys, which also included a victory over US Montauban.
A difficult opening half-hour against Connacht saw them fall 21-0 behind, but a try from Welsh international Harri Deaves on the stroke of half-time sparked a revival. Second-half scores from Phil Cokanasiga, Ryan Smith and Iestyn Hopkins completed a brilliant comeback and locked in a 24-21 success.
In France last weekend, it was a solid all-round performance as Ospreys survived a scare against the hosts in their first home Challenge Cup match to win 33-22. Replacements Efan Daniel and Kieran Hardy played key roles after the score had been pulled back to 19-15 at one stage.
Injuries have also begun to ease for head coach Mark Jones, with the aforementioned Smith making his Ospreys debut last month during their URC defeat to Edinburgh.
Last weekend also saw the return of number eight Morgan Morris and international centre Owen Watkin, both of whom suffered long-term injuries in 2024/25.
Both players will be pushing for their first starts of the season as the Ospreys welcome Munster to the Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon, with Clayton McMillan’s side sitting third whilst also winning one of their opening two Champions Cup games.
The Irish province will provide another physical test, with the Ospreys expected to rotate back to a stronger side after leaving out the likes of Australian lock Smith and Welsh international Rhys Davies last week.
However, the dominant off-field story in recent days has been the impending departures of Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, who will both join Gallagher Prem club Gloucester ahead of the 2026/27 season.
It is another example of the ongoing uncertainty within Welsh rugby, with decisions over the future of the professional regions still unresolved.
Persistent rumours suggest the Ospreys’ ownership group, Y11, are among the frontrunners to take over Cardiff Rugby, a move that could leave Wales’ second-largest city without a professional team.
Welsh derby warm-up ahead of Boxing Day fixtures
With the Boxing Day derbies returning to the Welsh rugby calendar, the opening game of this weekend sees Cardiff host the Scarlets at the Arms Park.
The Blue and Blacks come into the contest following a vital 29-26 Challenge Cup win over Ulster after trailing 26-12 midway through the second half. As for Scarlets, Dwayne Peel’s side have shown signs of encouragement despite Champions Cup defeats to Bristol and defending champions Union Bordeaux-Bègles.
Cardiff welcome back club captain Liam Belcher and wing Mason Grady to the starting XV, with Taulupe Faletau named among the replacements.
For Scarlets, number eight Fletcher Anderson has made a strong impact since joining last month and earns his second URC start after impressing in the Champions Cup.
Despite the gap between the two sides in the league table [14 places and 21 points], a close derby can be expected on Friday night. If the Scarlets can win enough collisions and remain competitive at the set-piece, it should provide a platform for their backline to threaten.
However, Cardiff have shown this season that they can still produce strong results despite player availability issues or aspects of their game not being at their best, and they will be keen to continue their strong home form ahead of the East Wales derby against the Dragons on Boxing Day.
An away win at the Arms Park would further fuel the Scarlets’ revival before they welcome the Ospreys to Parc y Scarlets, where the Llanelli-based side will be aiming for a second successive home victory over their West Wales rivals when that fixture comes around.
