WALES URC Squads Ranked
Ospreys
Historically, the most successful of the Welsh regions in this competition, largely thanks to their excellent form during the early 2010s. That squad, with players like Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, George North, Tommy Bowe, and Dan Biggar, would comfortably beat the Welsh regions of today, but the Ospreys have never backed down from the challenge Welsh teams face in recent URC seasons. Having made the playoffs in 2024 and recovering from a terrible start last season, the Ospreys have made fewer changes than the other regions, largely to replace long-time stalwarts like Adam Beard and Justin Tipuric, but can their current strength prevent them from being leapfrogged by the rest?
Here’s my take on the depth of the squad heading into the 2025-26 URC season:
Loosehead Prop: Gareth Thomas, Steffan Thomas, Garyn Phillips, Cameron Jones
The departure of the technically excellent Nicky Smith didn’t hurt them as much as some might have expected; the Ospreys can threaten several strong teams at the scrum, but their looseheads tend to bring a lot of value elsewhere too. Gareth Thomas is renowned for his dangerous chop-tackling, and is easily the next best loosehead besides the aforementioned Smith in the Wales discussion. After that, his cousin Steffan hasn’t really nailed down the 17 jersey, but remains reliable on defence, while Garyn Phillips’ carrying makes him a scarier attacker; enough to earn a spot in camp last summer. Depth Rating: 8/10
Hooker: Dewi Lake, Sam Parry, Lewis Lloyd, Efan Daniel
Given the strength of the Ospreys; driving maul, it’s no surprise they’ve invested a lot into this position. As one of the Ospreys’ two megastars, Dewi Lake exemplifies the team’s playstyle better than anyone; raw physicality matched by an incredible passion to overwhelm even the toughest of opponents; assuming he hits his mark at the lineout. Parry is an effective, though ageing, deputy who can play similar tactics in his absence, and generally has more reliable fundamentals. Lewis Lloyd had some memorable moments last season, especially on defence, while the signing of Efan Daniel adds another youngster who could compete for a place off the bench. Depth Rating: 9/10
Tighthead Prop: Tom Botha, Ben Warren, Rhys Henry, Kian Hire
At 35, Botha still remains one of the Ospreys’ more important players for his technical scrummaging, but 16 penalties conceded last season is a concern and he doesn’t have the same impact around the park. Ben Warren does a lot more carrying work, even grabbing a try last season, and could be on Steve Tandy’s radar given his Six Nations call up and consistent form. In general, though, they lack a particularly strong scrummaging threat besides Botha and most of their tightheads are lighter than average, besides youngster Kian Hire. They’ll manage for now. Depth Rating: 7.5/10
Lock: Rhys Davies, Ryan Smith, James Fender, Huw Owen-Sutton
The loss of Adam Beard and Will Spencer will be felt here. Ryan Smith has brought his reliable form over from Queensland, and should help a lot with the lineout while competing with the larger James Fender for a starting spot. Rhys Davies might be the unluckiest lock in Welsh rugby given his injury struggles over the past year, but at his best he’s a breakdown and carrying demon who could push into the Wales squad, given how those skills are lacking in the international side. James Ratti has also been reliable in this position, though if injuries are forgiving they may not need him. Depth Rating: 8/10
Back Row: Jac Morgan, Ross Moriarty, Morgan Morris, Morgan Morse, Harri Deaves, James Ratti, Will Griffiths
As valuable as Justin Tipuric’s experience was to the Ospreys, they probably won’t miss it too much, especially with Moriarty bringing an extra physical threat in the 6 jersey, With Wales’ best player, it’s hard to really pick apart any issues here: Morgan can cover both flanks, and Deaves and Ratti make effective deputies with their high work rates and solid physicality. Their 8 stocks are just as good; Morgan Morris is arguably very unlucky not to have been given international honours during Faletau’s injury struggles, as his ball carrying essentially makes him Wainwright 2. Morgan Morse is just as dangerous, as the youngster only seems to improve between seasons and could be a more long-term option for Wales. Great for attack and defence, the Welsh region’s strongest area. Depth Rating: 9.5/10
Scrum-Half: Reuben Morgan-Williams, Kieran Hardy, Luke Davies
RMW’s consistent performances finally earned him a Wales cap in the summer, and we could easily see him in a red shirt in the future as a deputy to Tomos Williams. With Kieran Hardy’s experience, he provides brilliant offensive support and the difference is barely noticeable whichever one starts; a luxury few regions have. His cousin Luke Davies also looked decent in his 50 minutes in the ECC, but he has his work cut out for him to break into the 23; he has age on his side though. Depth Rating: 9/10
Fly-Half: Dan Edwards, Owen Erasmus, Luke Scully
If this was ranked by which Welsh region had the best player, the Ospreys would comfortably be the strongest, as Edwards has confidence and a level head of a much more experienced fly-half than he is. Though not the largest man, he makes up for his weaker physicality compared to players like Sam Costelow with sheer grit and measured gameplay. The issue for the Ospreys is everyone else; there isn’t much experience here following Owen Williams’ exit, and with Jack Walsh preferring the 15 jersey nowadays, someone will have to step up. Depth Rating: 6.5/10
Centres Kieran Williams, Owen Watkin, Phil Cokanasiga, Evardi Boshoff.
Not their deepest position, but Kieran Williams and Owen Watkin are good enough players to make up for it. The former is a ball-carrying, try-scoring menace who would be an international shoo-in with a few more cards in his hands, while the former has over 40 caps for a reason; his excellent defensive game and large size makes him one of the more well-rounded 13s in Wales. Evardi Boshoff was a more-than-adequate replacement for Watkin following his injury, and should get some chances to generate turnovers and make good meters in the international window. The depth falls off quite a bit after this, however; Cokanasiga hasn’t quite matched his brother’s impact for Bath. Depth Rating: 8/10
Wings: Keelan Giles, Dan Kasende, Ryan Conbeer, Luke Morgan, Harri Houston
Giles has finally emerged from the unluckiest Wales player in recent memory to finally getting his first cap in the win against Japan. And it’s clearly deserved; he’s by far the Ospreys’ best option here, able to create tries out of very little with his quick feet and consistent drive despite his small size. Kasende adds a bit more aerial control following his emergence last season, and creates a good combination on the other wing. Conbeer and Morgan are firmly B-tiers, while Harri Houston hasn’t had much opportunity to work off of his U20s form, so they aren’t at the level of the Scarlets and Cardiff in this area. Still, they can scare some of the strongest sides at their best. Depth Rating: 7.5/10
Fullback: Jack Walsh, Iestyn Hopkins, Max Nagy
Moving back from the 10 jersey, Walsh has elevated his game into one of the Ospreys’ best players. He fulfills all of the fundamentals of his role excellently, being just as threatening of a try scorer as Giles and Kasende while tearing defenses to shreds and making the clutch shots as required. His games against Connacht and Glasgow last season show his class, and if he becomes Welsh qualified on residency, he could seriously challenge Blair Murray. Hopkins isn’t at the same level, but he’s still young and has his mark in both Scarlets games. Nagy has fallen into 3rd place, but his past form could be brought out in the right game. Depth Rating: 8/10
Overall Score: 81/100
Predicted Finish: 8th
It’s a really tough call between the Ospreys and the Scarlets for who is more likely to reach playoffs this season, but ultimately I think the Ospreys can do it again. Their more consistent pack combined with having fewer players in the international camp than their Llanelli rivals might just be enough to keep them ahead. With the smallest supporter base and infrastructure of the regions, the Ospreys may be desperate to secure another playoff spot to prove their value to the WRU, and I think that extra drive and their usually better away form will be enough to overcome some of the playoff-fringe sides and possibly take the Welsh shield.
My Peak 23:
Thomas, Lake, Botha, Davies, Smith, Moriarty, Morgan, Morris, Morgan-Williams, Edwards, Giles, Williams, Watkin, Kasende, Walsh
Parry, Phillips, Warren, Fender, Morse, Hardy, Hopkins, Boshoff
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