Stretched Welsh clubs winless despite URC positives
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There was plenty of spirit from the four Welsh clubs but no wins in round 14 of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
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Cardiff, Ospreys and Dragons go into away ties in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup on the back of defeats by Sharks, Connacht and Lions in which they claimed consolation bonuses.
Scarlets gave Leinster a bloody nose in Dublin but returned home with nothing to show for their efforts before a fortnight off because of their early European exit.
BBC Sport Wales looks back at a weekend that had big implications in the race for the URC play-offs.
Cardiff's injury fears at crunch time
Cardiff missed out on the play-offs by a point in 2025 [Rex Features]When Corniel van Zyl set off on his return to South Africa it is unlikely the Cardiff coach envisaged playing for 64 minutes with blind-side flanker or number eight Alun Lawrence in the second row at Kings Park.
The Blue and Blacks lost George Nott to injury in the first quarter of their loss to Bulls in Pretoria and then influential Josh McNally early on against Sharks in Durban.
Already without Teddy Williams, Ben Donnell and Tom Cottle, that led to last specialist lock standing Rory Thornton being joined by Lawrence.
The dependable forward is having another fine season but has not started a game in the second row since Cardiff were down to the bare bones for Champions Cup matches with Toulouse and Harlequins in December 2022.
Van Zyl – who also lost legendary Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau and loose-head prop Corey Domachowski in Durban – was already looking for assistance at lock before the Sharks game and that hunt could intensify.
Cardiff travel to Benetton in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup on Saturday, 4 April (17:30 GMT) and there will be few tears shed if they exit with spirit to allow them to focus on their bid for the play-offs.
The Blue and Blacks travel to Scarlets and host Ospreys in April fixtures that will go a long way towards deciding their top-eight fate.
They are now sixth and just two points ahead of ninth-placed Connacht, who have a double-header in South Africa against Stormers and Lions after the break for Europe.
Hopefully Cardiff will look back at a point gained in Durban when their squad was stretched, rather than an opportunity missed for a win.
Ospreys miss their chance
Jaxc Morgan was playing only his fourth game of the season and his first start for Ospreys [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Ospreys' trip to Ulster in the Challenge Cup has taken on more importance now that their hopes of making the URC play-offs are slim.
After failing to take their chances at Benetton, history repeated in Galway against a Connacht side that are chasing the top eight with Sharks.
Ospreys can get a maximum of 50 points, which would need bonus-point wins against Sharks and Scarlets in Bridgend and at Cardiff and Leinster.
Even that might not be enough after a frustrating afternoon in the west of Ireland, despite the excellence of fit-again Wales captain Jac Morgan.
Head coach Mark Jones has led Ospreys impressively amid off-field uncertainty and remained upbeat.
"We had our chances but Connacht have been playing well and are a form team," said Jones.
"I feel we played much better than at Benetton but we just lost a couple of big moments. We are heading in the right direction going into Europe."
Ospreys will have to do it the hard way in the Challenge Cup - if they cause an upset in Belfast then they will travel to Newcastle or La Rochelle.
Signing of the season?
Fletcher Anderson made his Scarlets debut against Glasgow in November [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Scarlets are 14th in the table and involved in a battle to avoid the Welsh Wooden Spoon rather than a fight for the play-offs, but still have a contender for the URC team of the year in Fletcher Anderson.
The number eight arrived from Crusaders in November and has made 14 appearances in all competitions.
Despite missing the first five rounds while in New Zealand, the 23-year-old is third in the official URC chart for carries (166) and also a rare forward on the leaderboard for metres gained (488).
He led the effort against Leinster – 27 carries and 62 metres – as Scarlets fell agonisingly short of what would have been a deserved bonus in Dublin.
"Fletcher Anderson is my favourite player," said former Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts on S4C. "Unfortunately he cannot play for Wales yet, but what a performance."
As they did with Munster-bound Springboks hooker Marnus van der Merwe, Scarlets have unearthed a gem and there will already be vultures circling and asking about his heritage.
Once again, the uncertainty in Welsh professional rugby is a hinderance when it comes to retention.
Owen the glue for more resilient Dragons
Aneurin Owen made his Dragons debut at Bordeaux-Begles in 2020 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]A scoreline of 42-26 does not really show it but Dragons are a tougher nut to crack this season.
They lost by a double-digit margin in the URC for the first time since November when eventually worn down by Lions in Johannesburg.
Dragons, like Cardiff, did leave South Africa with something to show for their efforts thanks to both centre Aneurin Owen and wing Rio Dyer crossing for doubles.
The unflashy Owen has become a huge figure for the Rodney Parade club with telling contributions on both sides of the ball.
There are more high-profile names in the squad but arguably the 25-year-old inside centre is the player that Dragons would struggle to replace most if injury misfortune struck.
Owen will be a key figure in the run-in as Filo Tiatia's side attempt to finish above Scarlets and end their URC away drought at bottom club Zebre on Friday, 24 April.
Despite improved recent performances, they have not won away in the league since beating Scarlets in April 2022, while their last league victory outside Wales was at Connacht in October 2021.
First, though, is the bid to cause an upset in the Challenge Cup on Easter Sunday when they travel to face Stade Francais at Stade Jean Bouin, scene of one of their finest moments when winning 38-22 in October 2014.
Recent displays suggest Dragons can give it a real crack, although they do have scrum-half worries.
With Che Hope already out for the season, Niall Armstrong and Rhodri Williams both suffered head injuries against Lions.