With the European pool stages and the opening two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations out the way, the URC returns for its first full round of fixtures since New Year’s Day.
As the 10th round of the season approaches, the league table is bunched up as defending champions and 11th-placed Munster are only 10 points adrift from league leaders Leinster.
The URC returns with Zebre welcoming Edinburgh to Parma on Friday night before a top of the table clash between Leinster and Benetton on Saturday afternoon, there are two South African derbies as the Lions host the Bulls and the Sharks welcome the Stormers in Durban.
It has been well documented over the last 12 months the issues faced in Welsh rugby with budget cuts and squad sizes being reduced impacting the four professional teams.
How have they got on so far this season? Who stands in their way on the weekend and which players could step up during the Six Nations fallow week?
A rocky road for Scarlets and Dragons
With 12 and 10 points respectively, it hasn’t been the best first half of the season for the Scarlets and the Dragons.
Both teams have won two games apiece this term, with Dwayne Peel’s side completing a derby double over Cardiff whilst Dai Flanagan’s side beat the Ospreys and the Scarlets at Rodney Parade.
The Scarlets had a tough start to the season with some heavy defeats in South Africa and Leinster. Their last win came in December at the Cardiff Arms Park before losing all four European games, including a home defeat to Georgia’s Black Lion in the Challenge Cup.
This week they welcome Munster to Parc Y Scarlets, with the Irish province boosted by the return from injury for fullback Mike Haley and Springbok RG Snyman who start alongside Irish internationals Conor Murray and Joey Carbery.
Scarlets’ Dan Jones makes his 150th appearance as Sam Lousi and Johnny McNicholl are back in the mix following injury, Jarrod Taylor is set for his Scarlets debut after signing from the Stormers as Tongan international Vaea Fifita starts at number 8.
Wales’ squad duo Kelsey Mathias & Joe Roberts start as they look for some game time before heading back to Warren Gatland’s squad.
Despite a poor run of results, there have been opportunities given to youngsters such as scrum-half Archie Hughes and winger Tomi Lewis in the starting XV, whilst there’s a potential debut for hooker Harry Thomas off the bench.
Head coach Peel will be hoping that it will click sooner rather than later yet it will be a tough battle against a Munster side who will be looking to climb the table.
The Dragons are the only Welsh side playing away from home this weekend as they head to Scotstoun to face Glasgow. Flanagan’s side are in 15th place in the URC table, with the Warriors sitting in third, winning six out of their nine games.
They travel to Scotland without 21 players with Aaron Wainwright and Taine Basham away with Wales while Ryan Woodman, George Nott and Harrison Keddie are all ruled out through injury.
Tighthead prop Lloyd Fairbrother has been ruled out for three months with a calf injury but there is a return for back Cai Evans.
There’s a debut for winger Oli Andrews who has been impressive in the Welsh Premiership for Newport over the last two seasons whilst hooker Sam Scarfe could make his debut as he covers the back row on the bench.
The Warriors have the league’s top try scorer available as hooker Johnny Matthews has scored 10 tries so far this season and scored five the last time the two teams met.
Flanagan’s depleted squad will need to remain in the set-piece battle if they are to stand a chance of winning in Glasgow, they will hope not to repeat the 73-33 trashing they suffered in the Challenge Cup last April.
Cardiff in need of finding a way
Matt Sherratt’s squad has shown glimpses of some lovely rugby this term, some would argue they haven’t had the results to show for it. The Blue and Blacks have only one three from their nine league matches which included an impressive win over the Stormers but are sat in 12th.
In certain games this season they have fallen short in close battles, which could be down to an inexperienced squad. A side that has been building on several young players, including Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin and Mason Grady.
But the issue this week is that two of those will be unavailable as they’re in the Welsh squad with Martin back on the bench to face Connacht.
Games in the past between these two sides have seen a few tries but a trend over recent seasons has seen the home side come out on top, with the Irish province winning in Galway last season as the Blue and Blacks won the previous meeting at the Arms Park between the two sides in September 2022.
Ben Donnell is set for his debut following his move from Gloucester and starts alongside Thomas Young who’s back from a calf injury. Jacob Beetham starts at fullback with Cam Winnett away with the national side.
The Irish province will be without international duo Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham but with former Dragons outside half JJ Hanrahan starting at outside half, keep an eye out for number 8 Cian Pendergast and winger Shayne Bolton.
Cardiff has kicked the most out of any URC side this season, yet when the chance appears they tend to strike, both teams will attempt to play if conditions allow which could make it an exciting contest.
Ospreys leading the charge
The only Welsh side to qualify for the knockout rounds in Europe, it has been an encouraging season for the Ospreys.
Toby Booth’s side have won eight from their 13 matches in all competitions, which included scoring three tries in five minutes to beat the Lions in the Challenge Cup last time out.
They have matched their wins total from last term already, with five wins from nine and welcome Ulster to the Swansea.com stadium who are only three points ahead in the table.
There’s a big boost for Booth’s side with a trio of Welsh internationals returning, including club captain Justin Tipuric and Nicky Smith who both start whilst Alex Cuthbert is in line to play his first game of rugby for over a year as he’s on the bench, meanwhile outside centre Dom Morris is to start his first game since October.
Dan McFarland’s Ulster welcome back Nick Timoney, Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale who all start. With Tom Stewart on the bench with Springbok Steven Kitshoff for company.
The Ospreys pride themselves on having a solid set-piece and have started to click in terms of attack with winger Keelan Giles in fine form and one of four players who have signed a new contract this week.
Jack Walsh, Dan Edwards, Tom Botha and Harri Deaves all start after renewing contracts.
Despite poor results in the Champions Cup, Ulster managed to pick up a win at the RDS in their last league match and will be heading to Swansea with confidence, it will be a big result if the Ospreys can find a way to win on Sunday.
It is good to see the return of the Welsh teams in the URC despite the league being far from perfect in terms of travel for away teams and supporters for certain games, yet there should be some exciting rugby to be played over the weekend.
Openside Blog 