What did we learn from the first Welsh derby of the URC season?
Corniel van Zyl's side kicked off the season with an away win at Scarlets
©Inpho Photography
The first round of the URC season is complete, with all four Welsh teams picking up points on the opening weekend.
The Dragons kicked off proceedings with a 19-19 draw away at Benetton, while the Ospreys claimed a try bonus point in a 41-24 defeat against the Sharks in Durban.
The first Welsh derby of the season took place at Parc y Scarlets, where Cardiff came out on top for the second time this calendar year with a 21-15 success.
So, how did the Blue and Blacks claim victory, and could it set them on their way to another top eight finish?
Scarlets score impressive tries, but Cardiff forwards keep them ahead
In mixed conditions in West Wales, the home side showed glimpses of what they can do with two well-worked tries.
The first came when scrum-half Dane Blacker broke through a gap after Cardiff flanker Dan Thomas failed to fold around the ruck in time and missed the tackle.
Blacker found Sam Lousi in support, with the second row gathering the pass and continuing the break before a neat offload out the back tied in Cam Winnett and Mason Grady.
That created space for outside centre Joe Roberts, who finished in the corner.
The second try came from the back of a scrum on halfway, with fly-half Gareth Anscombe finding Eddie James, who ran a wide line before tipping an inside ball to full-back Blair Murray.
James' run ensured Cardiff centre Le Roux Malen was committed, allowing Murray to burst through and race past Callum Sheedy before weaving his way past the final defenders to score an impressive individual try.
With a few weeks still to go before the debates and talking points ramp up around Steve Tandy's autumn squad selections, James gave the Wales head coach plenty to consider with an impressive performance at 12.
He made 33 metres from seven carries and was one of Scarlets' more effective players in attack.
Despite those two tries, Scarlets didn't lead at the interval as Cardiff's forwards began to make their mark.
The Blue and Blacks scored a well-worked rolling-maul try through Dan Thomas, who made amends for his role in the opening score.
Taine Basham then burrowed over from close range three minutes before half-time to give Cardiff the advantage.
Benches make a difference as international pair shine
The second half was scrappier than the first, with rain coming down on the Parc y Scarlets pitch.
One of the main talking points came in the 45th minute when Scarlets replaced Gareth Anscombe with Joe Hawkins.
Hawkins did put the home side back in front with a penalty, but in a derby that was always likely to be a close encounter, i Anscombe's experience could have been useful for a little longer.
Cardiff, meanwhile, were able to make an impact through their replacements.
Evan Lloyd was busy after coming off the bench, winning a crucial turnover inside his own 22 just a few minutes after scoring what proved to be the match-winning try.
After some excellent work from the Cardiff pack in the first 40, Lloyd deserves plenty of credit for his finish and for recognising the right moment to peel away from the rolling maul.
Among the Cardiff starters, a couple of other forwards also impressed, while Namibian centre Malen produced a solid performance on his debut.
Number 8 Basham was particularly influential after a relatively quiet season by his standards last term.
He made 62 metres from 19 carries, eight more than the next player, and capped his performance with a try just before half-time.
Another boost for the Arms Park faithful this season will be the return of lock Teddy Williams, who played his first game since October 2025 after dislocating his foot.
The 25-year-old added to Cardiff's set-piece, which was gradually getting up to speed throughout, and also made a line break during the first half.
A great chance to go two from two
The derby victory in Llanelli gives Corniel van Zyl's side a great opportunity to make it back-to-back URC wins when they return to the Arms Park to face Zebre on Friday night.
Despite Tommaso Allan returning to Italian rugby with a debut for the Parma-based outfit last weekend, Zebre fell to a heavy 43-12 defeat against the Bulls at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
The Blue and Blacks will again be without Wales wing Josh Adams, who is sidelined with a calf injury, but should be confident of victory after losing just once in the Welsh capital last term.
Elsewhere, Scarlets' attention now turns to a second Welsh derby of the season as they head to Rodney Parade to face the Dragons.
The Ospreys, meanwhile, bring their South African trip to an end in Johannesburg against the Lions.
