Fight for Wales spots heats up as under-threat regions win

There was western relief after Ospreys and Scarlets got up and running in the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season.

The two sides are playing amid uncertainty over their futures under controversial Welsh Rugby Union plans, yet produced the goods on the pitch in round three.

Ospreys won an engrossing derby against Dragons at Rodney Parade, inflicting a first defeat of the season on their hosts, while Scarlets sneaked past Benetton thanks to Sam Costelow’s late penalty.

Cardiff, who started with two wins from two, showed spirit in defeat by champions Leinster but left Dublin with nothing to show for their efforts.

There were 24 tries scored in the three games involving Welsh sides, with the interesting subplot of the scrap for international selection.

Steve Tandy was given plenty to ponder before naming his Wales squad for the Nations Championship on 20 October.

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Tom Rogers scored a hat-trick for Wales against New Zealand in November 2025 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Tom Rogers made the short move to Ospreys from Scarlets with the intention of playing predominantly as a full-back.

Head coach Mark Jones sees things slightly differently, insisting the 27-year-old was signed as a hybrid back.

Rogers started on the right wing against both Sharks and Lions before getting the 15 jersey against Dragons and winning man of the match.

He was a running threat throughout and showed his bravery in defence when putting his body on the line as last man to force a knock-on by number eight Harri Keddie.

“I really loved the way that he beat the first man almost every time to get us on the front foot,” said Jones.

“Other than one speculative chip, his decision-making about when to bring it back and when to kick it was spot on.

“I loved the way he worked in the backfield and filled space. He has made a great start in that position and it will be interesting to see how the others respond.”

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Ellis Mee started in four of Wales’ Six Nations fixtures in 2026 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Scarlets were staring down the barrel when trailing 21-7 at half-time against Benetton, and it was the Italians that started the second half stronger.

The match was ultimately won by Sam Costelow’s late penalty but it was swung by the home side’s back three, perhaps showing why Rogers opted for a change of scene.

Full-back Blair Murray won the player of the match award after being a constant menace with ball in hand and coming up with a crucial interception.

That try was followed by a stunning finish by Ellis Mee after a break by fellow wing Macs Page, who continued his strong start to the season with a grubber, gather and perfect pass to the right.

Mee scored his second with fast footwork and, after starting against Argentina and South Africa in July, has the nuts and bolts to remain in Steve Tandy’s line-up.

“We want to create an environment where we get these guys on the ball,” said Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies.

“Because of the errors in our game, we couldn’t do that in the first half, but in the second half we did.

“Our highlight reel is quite spectacular after three games, but we need to be more consistent in how we deliver that.”

With Bristol’s Louis Rees-Zammit having returned to being a wing and Josh Adams nearing a return from injury for Cardiff, wide slots are being taken up for the Wales squad.

But if Tandy wants a little bit of stardust then uncapped Page, an unused member of the touring party to Japan in 2025, is providing him with a wildcard option.

“He has a low centre of gravity, is very quick and has a great rugby brain,” said Davies.

“He is similar to someone like Shane Williams – he is all X-factor and is probably one of the first names on our team sheet.”

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Dragons earned a pair of bonus points in defeat by Ospreys [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

The driving line-out is a huge weapon across the leagues in 2026-27, and line-outs were a source for seven of the 10 tries scored at Rodney Parade.

Elliot Dee has filled his boots in the opening rounds of the campaign with a late leveller at Benetton, then doubles against both Scarlets – when he was man of the match – and Ospreys.

Dragons have not only just developed their driving line-out, it helped their hookers combine for 14 tries in 2025-26, but the new enforcement of maul laws have helped.

Players from the defending team must detach and go to the back when they move past the ball, meaning fewer disruptors.

“It was a bit of a weapon last season and working hard at the things you are good at usually pays dividends,” said Wales hooker Dee.

“We were disappointed that Ospreys also scored a few off the driving maul.

“It definitely gives the attacking team an advantage, as soon as you slip up the side you have to get out of there now.

“It’s hard to stop because you are retreating to the back and it gives a second or two of less weight [for the defending team]. It’s a good rule, and it’s good for the game.”

Dee, who hopes to put Gloucester’s Dewi Lake and Scarlets’ Ryan Elias under pressure for Wales action, scored nine tries in 2017-18.

With five already in the current campaign, the hooker will be eyeing double figures.

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Taine Basham moved to Cardiff from Dragons in 2025 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Cardiff went down to an expected defeat by URC champions Leinster despite a plucky effort in Dublin.

They go from one huge challenge to another with a Champions Cup trip to face Northampton – who scored 11 tries in a remarkable, and slightly farcical, 71-48 win against Bath on Saturday.

Corniel van Zyl and his coaches will probably be forced to pick two starting line-ups in one selection meeting given that there is a five-day turnaround from the game against the English champions to a fixture against Sharks at the Arms Park in the URC.

It is here where the Welsh budget constraints, which were evident at Leinster, come into play.

Cardiff did at least get a boost from Tonga forward Semisi Paea making a debut while full-back Matty Young, fresh from starring in Super Rygbi Cymru, had some lively contributions on his first URC start.

The Blue and Blacks are stretched and are still without Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau, who they opted not to risk in Ireland despite naming him in the line-up on Thursday afternoon.

He was part of the warm-up in Dublin but not the game.

That led to another start for Taine Basham and he produced another performance to give Tandy food for thought.

Wales are blessed in the back row but an on-song Basham, who won the last of his 17 caps against England in 2024, has dynamism that few of his rivals can match.