Glawio Rugby

Rugby Blog primarily focusing on Welsh rugby

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  • Welsh URC Week 3 Preview

    URC Week 3 Preview

    Scarlets vs Stormers

    Out of rhythm after their Week 2 match was cancelled due to bad weather, the Scarlets will need to develop their last season form as soon as possible if they are to replicate their playoff success. Injuries to Jake Ball and Josh Macleod will make this tricky, as their first match back will be against a Springbok-boosted Stormers side. The men from Cape Town are arguably the form team in the league, and that was before the return of Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu and Damien Willemse. This could get ugly if the Scarlets don’t pick up quickly.

    Interestingly, the visitors have rested some of their front-row starters, which should alleviate pressure from Alec Hepburn and Henry Thomas at the scrum. Expecting the Scarlets to win it outright is bold, but their forwards will need to win ball as much as possible to slow down the destructive Stormers backs. In turn, Blair Murray and Ellis Mee are significant threats to the Stormers’ defence, and both wingers’ aerial skills will pressure their back three under the high ball.

    While the Stormers are unsurprising favourites, there is an elephant in the room; the Stormers have only won two away fixtures in the past 12 months, and as the Ospreys have shown recently, the Welsh regions can certainly challenge them with the home advantage. Whoever keeps the most possession and controls the aerial game should take this, as they are fairly evenly-matched in terms of the quality of their attacks, but one has been firing much more consistently.

    Key Matchup: Joe Hawkins needs to prove he can play the 10 jersey at this level, as going up against world-class rising star Sacha FM will test his game management and supporting skills.

    Players to Watch: Taine Plumtree’s work at the breakdown and in carrying will be instrumental in creating a platform for the hosts’ backs to claim points. Damien Willemse was at his best in the Rugby Championship, and his superior experience could set up another Try of the Season, like the lst time this fixture happened.

    Predicted Score: Scarlets 26 – 35 Stormers The hosts should get going and show how dangerous they can be when momentum is in their favour, but the Stormers are just too strong. The Scarlets’ slow starts might simply give the visitors’ too much to work with, and they simply don’t have enough answers to Sacha FM. The scoreline could be much closer, and given that they beat the Bulls last season, it’s not impossible for the Scarlets to pull off an upset, but they don’t have a lot of cards here.

  • Welsh URC Week 2 Preview

    URC Week 2 Preview

    Stormers vs Ospreys

    Yet another South African matchup for the Ospreys, and this one goes up against a side that they’ve actually done quite well against in recent fixtures, winning both previous against the Stormers including away at the DHL. On the other hand, the Stormers have only lost one game at home since then, even against teams much more dangerous than the Opreys, so I’m not too keen on the latter’s chances in spite of their record.

    Against the Bulls, the Ospreys threw caution to the wind and played fast and aggressive, but unlike their Pretoria rivals, the Stormers can do that too with the likes of Leolin Zas and Seabelo Senatla. Like the Bulls, however, the Stormers love a good scrum, and new Springbok Neethling Fouche is more than a match for the returning Gareth Thomas. This will probably come down to who gets to control tempo, and Jurie Matthee will be riding the form of his previous game against Leinster.

    It’s not as though the Ospreys are outclassed; the Stormers are simply very strong even without their current internationals and have more cards in their favour. A game in Cape Town makes them the favourites to take it, but if the Ospreys backline can get firing as well as last week, a different story could emerge. It’s possible we’ll have a high-scoring game on our hands either way, if last week was anything to go by.

    Key Matchup: Emerging Springbok Evan Roos, one of the Stormers’ most consistent players, against experienced Welshman Ross Moriarty, who will look to dominate collisions after a relatively quiet match last week.

    Players to Watch: Harri Deaves was everywhere last week, making 18 tackles and 2 try assists, and should continue to be a thorn in the hosts’ side. Similarly, Jurie Matthee is currently the league’s top points scorer and will try to control his team’s momentum to overwhelm the Ospreys.

    Predicted Score: Stormers 40 – 28 Ospreys. The Stormers are a much faster and more aggressive attacking side than the physically-oriented Bulls, and should be able to match the Ospreys’ tempo better for a similar scoreline to last week. But it could be a lot closer, and may come down to who gets the last try; I think the Stormers just have stronger and more varied options and better consistency.

    Dragons vs Sharks

    A very important game for the Men from Gwent; though improved last week, they still don’t quite have the edge to close out games, and Ulster were an incredibly dangerous side. The Sharks may be popular with pundits, but minus their Springboks, they’re not the same team that’s matched the top sides blow-for-blow and haven’t won away since edging out Ulster in Ravenhill last year. If there was a game to make a statement victory, it’s this one.

    While they may not have won last time, a score of 30-33  won by an 84th minute try certainly makes the hosts look capable. A lot of returning players have returned from that fixture, but the Dragons’ improved scrum under Wyn Jones and Robert Hunt will look to be more competitive. That could be a difference maker, but I don’t want to be harsh on the B-team Sharks; they were solid against Glasgow in Scotstoun off the back of Springboks Edwill van der Merwe and Vincent Tshituka, who will be equally scary here.

    This is probably a close game; Tiatia has promised to make Rodney Parade a fortress for the weaker sides, and while calling the Sharks “weak” isn’t fair or accurate, the reality is that they aren’t invincible; as a team, they’ve been marred by inconsistency and a lack of depth, so who wins this will come down to which pack wins the breakdown and gains possession.

    Key Matchup: Two internationals, Aaron Wainwright and Vincent Tshituka, will aim to carry the ball over the line with their strong physical presences. Expect opposing defenders to focus on taking them down specifically.

    Players to Watch: Fine Inisi makes his first start for the hosts, and will need to be fast to break lines and make scores. Edwill van der Merwe is playing the less familiar position of fullback, but with his footwork, he could make some dangerous counterattacks.

    Predicted Score: Dragons 24 – 21 Sharks. Maybe I’m just being sentimental and optimistic, as I genuinely think the Dragons can do this and they realistically need to to invigorate their squad going forward. Both sides can be dangerous at the breakdown, and they’ve elected to maximise size to achieve this. It’ll come down to whether the Dragons can shake their losing mentality or whether the Sharks can end the away drought.

    Munster vs Cardiff

    Fixtures like these are the reason Cardiff needed that win over the Lions last week; while they can certainly win against Munster at home, away is a different story. Munster are incredibly hard to beat at Thomond Park, and while they may be missing Craig Casey and Tadhg Beirne, they are a side that can more than match Cardiff on defence and overpower them physically, which is never a fun time for the capital side. The visitors have never won here in 11 attempts, though there are ways they could turn this around.

    If they’re going to overcome the hosts’ physicality, they’ll need to win at the breakdown through Alex Mann and Dan Thomas. Maintaining possession forces Munster on the defence, where they are very strong, but players like Tom Bowen and Josh Adams will frustrate them out wide. Johan Mulder might fancy his chances to attack out of the scrum too; if they keep the ball moving fast, they should be able to score a few tries, though the lack of Ben Thomas will hurt their kicking options.

    They’ll need to survive the scrum and maintain discipline too, which will be no easy task given Cardiff’s persistent weaknesses in this area. But with players like Ioan Lloyd and Taine Basham coming off the bench, they should at least be consistent in attack all game. Given how well-rounded a side Munster are, Cardiff can’t really afford a slip-up anywhere, as the world-class Jack Crowley and physical presence of Thomas Ahern and Gavin Coombes will gladly take advantage of missed opportunities.

    Key Matchup: Alun Lawrence, arguably Cardiff’s most underrated player with his excellent carrying and persistent defence, against Gavin Coombes, Ireland international who has a similar reputation among Munster fans.

    Players to Watch: Jacob Beetham makes a rare start for Cardiff and will aim to match Cameron Winnett’s consistency in the position. Similarly, Ethan Coughlan will try to maintain the pace and footwork of Craig Casey, to keep Munster’s tempo out of the breakdown.

    Predicted Score: Munster 28 – 14 Cardiff. Not an easy fixture for the visitors, and a more realistic goal would be to come away with some sort of bonus point. Munster are a contender for the top 4, and while their lack of experience might mean they fall short of that goal, they have more than enough power to put Cardiff to the sword. Winning something from this will be a statement from Cardiff.

  • Welsh URC Week 1 Review

    URC WEEK 1 REVIEW

    Ulster vs Dragons: 42-21

    In the battle of the improved teams, both sides at least showed signs of growth, but it was clear who had the higher ceiling to push. The Dragons simply lack the same winning nous of the men from Northern Ireland, as they were outmatched in most areas of the field despite making them work for it in the early stages of the game.

    An incredibly lucky Aaron Wainwright try put the visitors in front, but it was soon followed up by one of Ulster’s trademark mauls that gave Cormac Izuchukwu the hosts’ first score. From there, they traded blows fairly well for 30 minutes, as the Dragons’ poor scrum has notably improved under Wyn Jones and Robert Hunt, but it wouldn’t last forever; three tries just before half time pushed Ulster into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the game.

    Does this mean Dragons are fated to repeat the mistakes of last season? I wouldn’t call that so soon; they still looked a much better side than their slow and sad games last year, Ulster were simply much better and nearer to their past dominance over the league, barring some awkward passes. But overall, the men from Gwent will still need to work on their discipline and defence if they want to climb up the leaderboard

    Notable Players: Aaron Wainwright was great around the park even excluding his lucky early try, as he made consistent offensive gains for the side. Shane Lewis-Hughes continues his form as one of the more underrated forwards in Welsh rugby, and Rhodri Williams’ and Angus O’Brien’s decision making helped test Ulster’s defence

    Score: I’d say about 6.5/10. The Dragons were generally outplayed, lacking consistency and discipline, but as Tiatia alluded to in his post-match interview, there is something to build on; last season’s Dragons would’ve been routed much harder.

    Bulls vs Ospreys: 53-40

    A solid all-around performance given the cards were firmly stacked against the Ospreys here. The first half was actually a mostly even contest, as the Ospreys controlled the breakdown and were able to move the ball wide for Keelan Giles to score and for Keiran Williams to add on some more points from the Bulls’ weakened defence. But the second half was the difference maker; the visitors simply couldn’t match the bench impact of the hosts as their depth was tested against one of the URCs most physical teams.

    For a player who wouldn’t normally make the side’s starting XV, Deaves was excellent, bringing his trademark workrate on both sides of the ball, with 18 tackles and two try assists. His sheer determination actually cost him, as he was penalised 4 times, but he certainly had an impact on the Ospreys’ chances. Rhys Davies and Dewi Lake were also great in defence, the latter especially with 2 turnovers despite generally being outmatched by Grobelaar. This all led to the Ospreys leading for most of the first half, but it quickly unravelled as the hosts gained a 20 point lead in decisive fashion.

    While notably improved compared to past away games in Pretoria, the Ospreys will need to tidy up discipline and avoid the same defensive and lineout issues that gave the Bulls too much possession and leaked points. They were largely overpowered in the scrum, losing 2 on their own put-in, and while these are to be expected from the hosts, with a game against the Stormers next on the agenda, they will almost certainly target the same areas if the Ospreys don’t improve.

    Notable Players: Harri Deaves, as mentioned earlier, brought an exceptional workrate and should make the starting XV in Jac Morgan’s absence. Dan Kasende made a similar effort on both sides of the ball, though his opposing winger Giles racked up more points. Morgan Morse has also built on his work from last season with a commanding starting performance.

    Score: Feels harsh given their opposition, but 7.5/10. They’ll need to tidy up on their defence, but once they do, this Ospreys side look well-poised to push for playoffs, especially when they return to Wales and bring back more of their usual starters.

    Scarlets vs Munster: 21-34

    A very slow start cost the Scarlets, who simply couldn’t get into the game against a Munster side which outplayed them in the scrum and under the high ball.  The hosts really missed Marnus and Lousi as they were overpowered by Munster’s defence and physicality, unable to generate anything from Blair Murray’s clean breaks and Sam Costelow’s otherwise solid kicking tactics.

    That said, the second half was a lot better, as they traded blows with Munster much more consistently. Ellis Mee capitalised on a great opportunity following Murray’s initial try after the break, but the Scarlets’ best player was definitely Taine Plumtree, with a great intercept to score the hosts’ third and final try. With their efforts, they scored the same number of points as the opposition in the second half, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.

    The Scarlets just didn;t have the same dynamism that carried them to playoffs last season, but hopefully they regain that momentum sooner rather than later. Defensively, Munster suffocated them and countered most of their kicks, while they in turn simply lacked answers to Munster’s own wide ball as players like Abrahams and Nankivell set up tries. With an away game to Connacht next on the schedule, it looks to be a tough first few weeks for the Scarlets.

    Notable Players: Taine Plumtree was the region’s best performer as he carried his way through opposing defenders, scoring a well-deserved try after reading Munster’s attack. Sam Costelow struggled defensively, but he and Gareth Davies made some great kicks that pressured Munster’s backs and made a great break for Murray’s try. Barring one missed throw, Harry Thomas also looked solid at the lineout for the region’s third choice and made a great defensive effort.

    Score: Hard to call, I’ll say 7/10. The first half was poor, but in the second half they weren’t far off one of the league’s most complete teams, and there were plenty of bright sparks to work off of when closer matchups come around. Once they gel, they could have another great season.

    Cardiff vs Lions: 33-20

    The only region to score a win in week 1, and yet, there remain some concerns for the capital side. Still, not a lot takes away from a bonus point win to start the season, and a very strong performance by several key players, some returning and some new, will give them confidence going into a new season without the architect that is Matt Sherratt.

    The main takeaway at the 80 minute mark for me was wondering why Alun Lawrence was MotM; not because he didn’t deserve it, but because there were so many candidates that it was easy to miss his typical dominant carries. Cam Winnett and Callum Sheedy brilliantly controlled the host’s momentum in a game where they desperately needed it, while Taine Basham and Alex Mann were a constant frustration at the breakdown. 

    That said, the disciplinary issues cannot continue if they are to make the playoffs. While rust can excuse some of it, the fact of the matter is that they let the Lions back into the contest after what was otherwise a clear-cut victory. With Ben Thomas’ red card on top of that, things could’ve easily slipped away from them. A great recovery, but they can’t afford to be in that position against any of the stronger teams.

    Notable Players: Alex Mann was great on both sides of the ball, putting his name back into the Wales conversation for the Autumn. Jacob Beetham was great off the bench in an unfamiliar position, especially when he was out for so long with injury, so he’s poised to take a lot of pressure off Winnett this season. Javan Sebastian was a notable improvement in the scrum from Kieron Assiratti, and his high-energy loose contributions should keep him in the starting jersey.

    Score: A nice 8/10. Discipline holds them back from a higher spot, but given they were going up against a side that survives off of opposing defensive errors, they held their own very well.

    Team of the Week:

    1. Wyn Jones
    2. Evan Lloyd
    3. Javan Sebastian
    4. Rhys Davies
    5. Shane Lewis-Hughes
    6. Alex Mann
    7. Harri Deaves
    8. Taine Plumtree
    9. Johan Mulder
    10. Callum Sheedy
    11. Keelan Giles
    12. Kieran Williams
    13. Harri Millard
    14. Dan Kasende
    15. Cam Winnett

  • Welsh URC Week 1 Preview

    URC Week 1 Preview

    Ulster vs Dragons

    First Welsh game of the new season, and it looks to be a redemption match for both sides. Ulster will look to improve on their below-par season last year, while the Dragons will try to leverage their new trades to overpower their Irish opposition. While Ulster have the pedigree, the home advantage, and would normally be clear-cut favourites on history alone, this is by no means an easy call by virtue of how improved the Dragons promise to be.

    This could easily turn into a battle of backs vs forwards, as Ulster have benched Juarno Augustus for the time being and Angus Bell is on Rugby Championship duty. The Belfast group will want to move fast to avoid physical matches with a full-strength Dragons team, and with Stockdale on the wing and the experienced McCloskey in at 12, they could easily overwhelm them. On the other hand, Wyn Jones and Robert Hunt are destructive scrummagers, and Aaron Wainwright can manifest tries from thin air if the Dragons get in close.

    This really depends on who’s gameplan gets firing first, and the Dragons almost pulled it off when they led at half-time last year. Plus, Rhodri Williams and Tinus de Beer is a much more seasoned half-back pairing than Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy; in a duel where game-management will matter, they might just kick their way to victory. Izuchukwu has been moved to 16 to try and contain the pack, but with Mackenzie Martin and Levi Douglas bringing impact from the bench, it could be close.

    Key Matchup: Nathan Doak vs Rhodri Williams, two of their regions’ star players, will try to manifest their will over the game, but who will win in the battle between youth & experience?

    Players to Watch: Matthew Screech on his 200th game for Dragons will try to impose himself on the lineout and as a carrier, while Jacob Stockdale will aim to start the season with a run of tries as per usual.

    Prediction: Ulster 28 – Dragons 24 It’ll be a tough contest, but Ulster will refuse to concede a game on their first home match of the season, and will barely edge ahead. However, the men of Gwent will prove they are a force to be reckoned with.

    Bulls vs Ospreys

    It’s never easy going to Loftus Versfeld, especially on the first week of the tournament. Nevertheless, the Ospreys will try to aim to break the line of a Springboks-less Bulls team to open the season with an away win very few are expecting them to achieve. To do so, they will likely need to play fast, kick long, and disrupt the Bulls’ powerful setpiece while surviving the scrum.

    With Ross Moriarty set to make his debut for the region and Harri Deaves moved to the 7 jersey, some new combinations have been tried out by Mark Jones to possibly rest key players for what might be a brutal two weeks in South Africa. Phil Cokanasiga makes a rare start alongside Kieran Williams, who’s shown to be more than capable of making international-grade clean breaks, while youngsters Tom Florence and Harri Houston appear from the bench. For the hosts, Jan Serfontein and David Kriel should make a similarly dangerous centre partnership, while Springbok loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp returns after a long battle with injury.

    The pundits have a point; the Bulls are the second strongest team in the league and they match the Ospreys blow-for-blow in most areas. If they are able to control the pace of the game, there isn’t much the visitors can do here, but if the Ospreys make a good start, the Bulls may not recover in time. Like against Leinster last year, this will be more a test of how far their indomitable willpower can take them and who among their players stands out in a new era for Welsh rugby.

    Key Matchup: Cobus Wiese vs Rhys Davies; new Springbok vs emerging Welsh lock. Both are powerful players who like to throw their physicality around, but the lineout may determine which team gets control over the game.

    Players to Watch: Ross Moriarty returning to Welsh rugby, bringing his experience from the Pro D2 to bash into the Bulls’ defence, while Johan Grobelaar is dominant in both the scrum and lineout, and will seek to maul the Ospreys’ pack out of Pretoria.

    Prediction: Bulls: 35 – Ospreys 10 Not the start to the season the Ospreys will want, but if they can reduce the points conceded, they can hopefully come away with a bonus point. Loftus Versfeld is a fortress for a reason though.

    Scarlets vs Munster

    While the Scarlets remain mostly unchanged from the Top 8 achievers last season, Munster have a new coach and have lost three of their most experienced players, and are down Tadhg Beirne after B&I Lions duty. Still, this will be far from an easy battle for the Scarlets. Possibly the toughest to call of the Welsh games.

    Jake Ball returns to Llanelli to try and contain Munster’s powerful maul and lineout, but with almost all of the region’s Welsh internationals alongside him, it’s not an impossible task. A fully international back three of Mee, Rogers, and Murray will play with tempo and look to play around the visitors’ reliable defence, but Craig Casey is a fast man himself, and Munster’s exit out of the ruck could give the likes of Josh Macleod and Taine Plumtree some trouble. They’re quite evenly-matched overall, so we’ll see if both sides’ new centre combinations could turn the tide.

    Munster have an unfortunate reputation for choking early-season games that they probably should win, and they would’ve probably appreciated an easier fixture, but the Scarlets’ inconsistent discipline could cost them this one just as easily. If we were at Thomond Park, this would be a very different discussion, as last season’s rout proved.

    Key Matchup: The experience and box-kicking tactics of Gareth Davies versus the younger, more fast-paced runner of Craig Casey, as the breakdown exits might be the deciding factor of this game.

    Players to Watch: Blair Murray will aim to convert his counter-attacking mastery into points for his region, while Thaakir Abrahams might exploit any gaps out wide the Scarlets leave trying to contain the pack.

    Prediction: Scarlets 21 – Munster 28 Though not the tightest score, the hardest game for me to call this weekend. Scarlets did lose to the Dragons in pre-season, and they’ll need to really put the pressure on Clayton MacMillan’s men, but Munster work well under pressure, and will aim to remedy their weak start last year.

    Cardiff vs Lions

    Night time at the Arms Park, and Cardiff will relish an opening against what is a relatively weak Lions squad compared to what they beat last year; no Morne van dan Berg could give Cardiff control over the midfield, and no Francke Horn will help Alex Mann and Taine Basham at the breakdown. It’s hard to predict the Lions in general, though, so they can;t afford to be complacent.

    Cardiff have fielded several debutantes; Javan Sebastian and Rhys Barratt partner in the scrum, while Ioan Lloyd aims to bring some versatility and fast footwork form the bench. Josh Adams is both an excellent finisher and surprisingly savvy defender, while Tom Bowen aims to strike back after his exceptional debut against the Sharks last season. Meanwhile, Nico Steyn will try to ignite the Lions’ flair and tear apart one of the league’s best defenders last seasons, while Weapon X Henco Van Wyk is one of is region’s best players, and could carry his side to the try line.

    All that said, this is far from an easy ride for Cardiff; Matt Sherratt just left and took his offensive running-rugby tactics with him, and no one is pretending the hosts have the stronger scrum; Rhys Barratt has his work cut out for him against Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who is 29 kilos heavier and a much more frequent starter. Plus, until a very close game last season, Cardiff had never beaten the Lions in this competition before, so if they concede too many penalties, this could easily go the other way.

    Key Matchup: Cam Winnett vs Quan Horn; both two of their regions’ best players, and both incredibly strong counter attackers in a game where kicking and game control could go either way.

    Players to Watch: Tom Bowen, who’s proven capable of easily outmanoeuvring South African defences in the past, and Angelo Davids, who has been electric for his side in the Currie Cup

    Prediction: Cardiff: 24 – Lions 15. The pressure of the Arms Park has quashed stronger teams, and while they could crumble under the pressure of the visitors’ physicality, Cardiff have the best chance of the Welsh regions at a victory here. They’ll need to be solid in kicking and keep errors to a minimum, but they provided an almighty defensive effort last season, and replicating that should be enough to keep the Lions at bay.

  • Scarlets Depth Ranking – URC 2024-2025

    WALES URC Squads Ranked 

    Scarlets

    After finishing 13th with a 5-13 record in 2024, it’s fair to say that the Scarlets were much more influential in the most recent season of the URC. With significant improvements from players such as Josh Macleod and Tom Rogers, to influential new signings like Henry Thomas and Blair Murray, the Scarlets were comfortably the strongest Welsh region in this competition last year, though the Ospreys still outperformed them in Europe.

    Then again, there are still areas of improvement for the region; they conceded 18 yellow cards – the 2nd most of any club in the league – and their away form was far from consistent, with their only wins coming against other Welsh regions and the Lions. But with the best overall-performing scrum in the league and a still-young squad, can the Scarlets build on their wins from last season and reach the playoffs a second time?

    Looshead Prop: Alec Hepburn, Kemsley Mathias, Sam O’Connor

    Not their deepest position, despite their scrum successes. Alec Hepburn’s 4 yellow cards don’t detract from his value around the field too much, as he usually tops the statistics for tackles made while making lots of touches and carries. Kemsley Mathias’ discipline isn’t much better, but he’s a well-rounded prop who adds a lot of impact off the bench. Sam O’Connor has some potential, but hasn’t had much opportunity, largely due to the other two’s consistency. Depth Rating: 7/10

    Hookers: Marnus Van der Merwe, Ryan Elias, Kirby Myhill, Harry Thomas

    With the very recent (as in, the day I’m writing this) signing of Kirby Myhill, the Scarlets now have three solid options in this position when Marnus returns from Springbok duty and Elias recovers from his injury. Thankfully, the former shouldn’t be gone for much longer, as he was instrumental to the side’s improvements at the setpiece. When Elias comes back, his hard carries should be great off the bench. Still, the early season may be a struggle, and the academy prospects will need to pull their weight. Depth Rating: 8.5/10

    Tighthead Prop: Henry Thomas, Harri O’Connor, Archer Holz

    Henry Thomas was another forward who was crucial to the improvements in the set piece, as he continued to lead the Scarlets’ success in this area, though his around-the-park stats aren’t at the same level as his front-row teammates. Still, his experience means he’ll start as many games as possible for the region. Sam Wainwright’s departure is unfortunate, but Harri O’Connor should take the bench spot having missed last season due to injury. Not exactly the largest front-row in the league, but they get the job done more often than not. Depth Rating: 7.5/10

    Locks: Jake Ball, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Jac Price

    The return of physical juggernaut Jake Ball should compensate for Alex Craig’s departure, as he should renew his lock partnership with the defensively reliable Sam Lousi. Otherwise, it doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of star power here. Douglas will probably cover the bench more often than he plays 6, since the Scarlets have a bit more depth over there, but if he is put on the blindside the Scarlets feel wanting here.. Depth Rating: 7/10

    Back Row: Taine Plumtree, Josh Macleod, Jarrod Taylor, Tristan Davies, Dan Davis, Ben Williams

    Now we’re getting serious; the Scarlets’ backrow topped several charts last season, and they’ll be eager to build upon new combinations despite the experienced Vaea Fifita’s departure. Taine Plumtree is an incredibly versatile player; strong, fast, can cover the entire backrow, and threatening both at the breakdown and the lineout. As he stamps out the last of his discipline issues, his high ceiling should earn him some more Wales call ups this season. Captain Macleod is just as good, easily challenging the likes of Reffell for the second number 7 spot in the Wales team. Even if he doesn’t make it, his workrate and leadership is an enormous asset for the region. If only there was a similarly strong 3rd backrower; Jarrod Taylor is an adequate deputy and Dan Davis is solid in the breakdown, but not to the same extent. Depth Rating: 8.5/10

    Scrum-Half: Gareth Davies, Dane Blacker, Archie Hughes

    The returning signing of Dane Blacker is much appreciated, as Gareth Davies’ late-season injury cost them in playoffs. The experienced former international provided the side with an excellent kick-chase game out of the scrum, and his decision-making is crucial to a young set of backs. Blacker should plug in the gaps off the bench without having to pressure Archie Hughes too much, as the latter is a work in progress at this level.  Depth Rating: 8/10

    Fly-Half: Sam Costelow, Joe Hawkins, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones

    Very weird situation here, as with Ioan Lloyd going east, they only have one senior specialist fly-half in the form of Sam Costelow. Though a controversial player in international circles, he’s not bad when his pack is working well, which happens for the Scarlets more often than not. Some drop goals and line breaks should serve the region well outside of international windows. Hawkins seems to be converting to this position from centre, and looks good so far, but it’s a big ask. It’s possible that U18s star Carwyn Leggatt-Jones might need to be called upon for more than a few weeks. Depth Rating: 7.5/10

    Centres: Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Macs Page

    By far the best of the Welsh regions’ stocks here; they’re the only one with consistent 3-man depth, but would still be one of the best without it. The model is consistent, with hard carrying 12s in the form of the experienced Johnny Williams and the larger Eddie James, and fast moving 13s like the improving Joe Roberts and the X-factor flair of Macs Page. With Hawkins and Ioan Nicholas being able to cover as well, they’re under little threat provided players remain fit and Costelow is firing well. Williams is also one of the better defensive 12s, though defence is less of a virtue when it comes to the 13s. Depth Rating: 9.5/10

    Wings: Tom Rogers, Ellis Mee, Tomi Lewis

    Not as well-stocked as I thought they were, but to be fair, all of their fullbacks can play here too. Tom Rogers is in the upper echelon of current Welsh wingers with his strength and aerial ability being standout points, although he;s getting exposed more on defence. Ellis Mee may be young, but he was Nottingham’s best player before moving over and he only seems to be improving. Both are equally comfortable kicking as they are beating defenders, and together can threaten teams as dangerous as Leinster with the number of attacking opportunities they create. Tomi Lewis’ raw pace should help cover for players on Wales duty, and with Page being able to come in at 14, they shouldn’t fear the international window too much. Depth Rating: 9/10

    Fullbacks: Blair Murray, Ioan Nicholas, Ioan Jones

    When people are seriously considering you as a British and Irish Lions contender on your first international season in a Wales side with 0 wins, you know you’re a serious asset to club and country. Blair Murray doesn’t need to also be able to cover 10 and the wing, given that at fullback he’s exceeded the fans’ and his own expectations of how far he can go in Welsh rugby. And on top of that, both Rogers and Mee can cover the 15 jersey too if he’s absent. Ioan Nicholas is now one of the region’s most important backs in the absence of Ioan Lloyd, but being able to play 13, wing, and 15 is a valuable skillset. Ioan Jones seems to have been brought in on the expectation that Mee, Rogers, and Murray will probably be on Wales duty which is a smart move. Depth Rating: 9.5/10

    Overall Ranking: 82/100

    Predicted Finish: 9th

    Despite having slightly better quality of depth than the other regions, I think the Scarlets may fall just short of the playoffs. Their discipline has proved costly in several key games last season, and with how close the playoff race was, the more notable improvements and less considerable losses for the other fringe clubs like Ulster and Edinburgh might just turn fortunes away from the Scarlets. However, if their international-quality backline and solid scrum can earn them some key away fixtures, they can absolutely make it to the top 8 again.

    My Peak 23:

    Hepburn, Van der Merwe, Thomas, Ball, Lousi, Taylor, Macleod, Plumtree, G. Davies, Costelow, Mee, Williams, Roberts, Rogers, Murray

    Elias, Mathias, O’Connor, Douglas, Williams, T. Davies, Blacker, Hawkins, Page

  • Ospreys Depth Ranking – URC 2025-2026

    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

  • Dragons Depth Ranking – URC 2025-2026

    WALES URC Squads Ranked 

    Dragons

    There wasn’t much positive to write home about for the Dragons last year – 1-17 in the regular season and only 1 win in Europe (against the equally struggling Newcastle Falcons). Such was their luck that they could’ve been considered the weakest tier 1 club in professional rugby.

    But after the departure of Dai Flanagan, Filo Tiatia and the Dragons’ management have gone to work on redefining their team identity and justifying their place as a competitive rugby club. With by far the most amount of trades of any Welsh Region (17 compared to Cardiff’s 7 and the Scarlets’ 6), the Dragons have emphasised physicality and brutality in order to climb up the leaderboard and avoid the mistakes of last season. But is raw power enough?

    Here’s my take on the depth of the squad heading into the 2025-26 URC season:

    Loosehead Prop: Wyn Jones, Rhodri Jones, Rodrigo Martinez, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths

    Dragon’s scrum has been, overall, one of their weaker areas. To remedy this, a lot of their signings have been props or giant forwards, and British and Irish Lion Wyn Jones should certainly provide some greater experience in this area. While not performing to a world-class standard over at the Harlequins, the fact that he may likely miss the Wales squad would only help the Dragons. Not exactly over-flowing with quality otherwise, but 4 is a solid number of looseheads. Depth Rating: 7/10

    Hooker: Elliot Dee, Brodie Coghlan, Oli Burrows, Sam Scarfe

    Scarfe and Burrows are still young players who’ve made little of what game time they had last year, but those first two names have been key for the Dragons in that time. Elliot Dee’s reliable fundamentals make him an obvious contender to deputise for Dewi Lake in the Wales squad, and his experience is invaluable to a team with few current international players. Meanwhile, Brodie Coghlan more than carried his weight in Dee’s absence early last season; though not enough to earn a call-up of his own, it hardly seems impossible should the Dragons’ fortunes improve, as he’s comfortably their second-best option. One more player of a similar level would help, given at least one of them will be missing during the international window. Depth Rating: 8.5/10

    Tighthead Prop: Dillon Lewis, Chris Coleman, Robert Hunt, Luke Yendle

    With 2 new signings, I honestly don’t know who starts here for the Dragons now. Dillon Lewis brings his significant international experience alongside his World Cup partner on the other side, while Robert Hunt should bring some South African scrummaging prowess should either Lewis or Coleman be called to the Welsh squad. The latter is also a player of some potential if Adam Jones is to be believed, so the Dragons seem much more well-stocked here after the retirement of Leon Brown. Relatively large for a Welsh scrum, too. Depth Rating: 8/10

    Lock: Ben Carter, Levi Douglas, Seb Davies, Matthew Screech, Steve Cummins

    The Dragons have always been relatively well-stocked here. Captain Carter is a well-rounded defensive stalwart who can more than handle the international field though he has had some injury struggles in the past year that may slow his return to his Pivac-era form. New Signing Levi Douglas, on the other hand, is simply a gigantic physical influence to his team, and his experience in the contact-heavy Pro D2 will create nightmares for opposing defenders should he be able to carry hard. Seb Davies and Matthew Screech are both highly experienced club-level players who can round out the game off the bench. Plus, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Mackenzie Martin add additional depth here if needed. Combined with their effective hookers, the lineout could be a real target for the Dragons this season. Depth Rating: 8.5/10

    Back Row: Shane Lewis-Hughes, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie, Mackenzie Martin, Ryan Woodman, Solomone Funaki

    Definitely the Dragons’ strongest area and for good reason; not only are there serious internationals in the starting jerseys, but their newly-signed depth should more than make up for the loss of Taine Basham. Waino’s carrying game is simply absurd; excellent numbers in post-contact meters and defenders beaten, making him a dangerous try-scorer at the line. Keddie and Woodman are reliable and underrated at the breakdown, while Shane Lewis-Hughes’ lineout and turnover work was near the top of the league last season. But two of the most crucial names should be their two Cardiff recruits; Thomas Young runs like a winger in the back row, and has topped the URC charts for turnovers before, while Martin’s size more than makes up for an absent Wainwright. Depth Rating: 9/10

    Scrum-Half: Rhodri Williams, Che Hope, Niall Armstrong

    Rhodri is one of the better senior scrum-halves in Wales, and has been one of the region’s most consistent performers over the last few seasons. Whether he retains his position in the Wales setup is yet-to-be-seen, but Niall Armstrong should bring some Irish agility out of the scrum. Che Hope balances out the team with some more youth, but he hasn’t really made much of a mark yet. The Dragons may miss Rhodri during the international window, but with their much improved pack, they should be a lot more threatening here. Depth Rating: 7/10

    Fly-Half: Tinus de Beer, Angus O’Brien, Jac Lloyd

    A very balanced selection here. Tinus brings his Cardiff experience and reliability at the tee, and should start most of the region’s games. O’Brien’s experience and versatility makes him more suited to a bench spot, but he’s had some solid games for the region since he joined from West Wales, so he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Lloyd has just won Super Rygbi Cymru with Newport, so he could develop into a capable replacement too, but it’ll take time. Depth Rating: 8/10

    Centres: Aneurin Owen, Fetuli Paea, Joe Westwood, Harri Ackerman

    Over the past few seasons, the Dragons have tried to remedy their difficulties here and try out a number of different combos, but nothing has really clicked. That hasn’t stopped Aneurin Owen from being one of the most underrated players in Wales, as he’s a threat on both sides of the ball and cannot be underestimated. Ideally, Fetuli Paea will move from his international position of 12 to 13 to accommodate him, but we’ll see how that turns out. Westwood’s attack is also quite solid, though less so defensively, while Ackerman is still developing, and Fine Inisi could cover here too. Depth Rating: 6.5/10

    Wings: Rio Dyer, Fine Inisi, Jared Rosser, Ewan Rosser

    Dyer may have fallen out of favour with Wales selectors, but it’s entirely possible we could see him back sooner rather than later, as he remains a dangerous and aggressive finisher. Inisi can hopefully bring some flair on the opposite wing off the back of Tonga’s Pacific Nations Cup exploits, while the Rossers’ attacking game has surprised opposing defenders in the past. They’ll need strong support to reach the heights of the other regions in this department, but they may have just enough firepower to make it work. Depth Rating: 7.5/10

    Fullbacks: Huw Anderson, Cai Evans, David Richards

    If any player came out of the Dragons’ difficult last season with extra credit, it’s Huw Anderson, who has shot up from the U20s into an international contender for Wales at fullback. With a strong pack in front of him, he can easily take advantage of opposing kicks to restart momentum for the side, balancing out their control over the game. Evans has faded a bit more, but should be a solid second choice once back from injury. Angus O’Brien has also been effective here last year, and with Richards back from Newport, this position shouldn’t be an issue for the Gwent side. Depth Rating: 8/10

    Overall Score: 78/100

    Predicted Finish: 13th

    Though still likely the weakest of the Welsh regions, the Dragons have  made smart and considerable improvements to their key weaknesses. They should be a much more competitive side than last season, but escaping the bottom four seems a more realistic goal than playoffs for the time being. Depending on how things advance with the WRU, this could mark the start of a prosperous era for the region, as they are starting to narrow down how they want to win games, and certainly have the firepower to do so against the weaker teams. 

    My Peak 23:

    W. Jones, Dee, Lewis, Douglas, Carter, Lewis-Hughes, Young, Wainwright, Williams, de Beer, Inisi, Owen, Paea, Dyer, Anderson

    Coghlan, R. Jones, Coleman, Davies, Keddie, Martin, Armstrong, O’Brien

  • Cardiff Depth Ranking – URC 2025-2026

    WALES URC Squads Ranked 

    Cardiff

    Following a much-improved performance from the capital side, where they finished 9th in the regular season, Cardiff will aim to reach the playoff stage of the URC with their 7 new signings ahead of the upcoming season.

    Their defence ranked as one of the best in the league, with the most tackles (3596) and 3rd lowest turnovers lost (102). However, other areas left much to be desired, with points scored and meters gained being notably below average, and their lineout success rate (84%) being the 3rd lowest of any team in the league.

    Here’s my take on the depth of the squad heading into the 2025-26 URC season:

    Loosehead Prop: Corey Domachowski, Rhys Barrett, Danny Southworth, Ed Byrne, Ioan Emanuel

    Has been an issue for Cardiff for a while, especially in the absence of Rhys Carre, but steps are being taken to improve the front row as a whole. International Domachowski is usually the starting loosehead, and his experience & scrum reliability should pair well with Rhys Barrett’s more explosive carries. Leinster signing Ed Byrne will look to improve on a solid start from last year, and U20s starter Ioan Emanuel has clearly been brought over from Bath for a reason. Depth Rating: 7/10

    Hooker: Liam Belcher, Evan Lloyd, Dafydd Hughes

    Despite the inconsistent darts, this is one of Cardiff’s deeper areas. Captain Liam Belcher earned his first Wales cap after a stalwart defensive performance combined with athletic carries, best showcased in the Lions game last season where he won MotM. If Dewi Lake is a hooker who plays like a loose forward, Evan Lloyd is a hooker who is a loose forward; his physicality and pace made him a dangerous carrying threat post-Six Nations. Dayfdd Hughes filled in the gaps well when Belcher was injured, and should be able to do the same if one of them is called to the Wales Squad. Depth Rating: 7.5/10

    Tighthead Prop: Kieron Assiratti, Sam Wainwright, Javan Sebastian, Will Davies-King

    Prior to this season’s trades, not the strongest area for Cardiff. Kieron Assiratti did just enough to earn his call ups in a struggling position for the Wales squad, but without him, there wasn’t much depth afterward. However, Javan Sebastian and Sam Wainwright have deputised for two of the strongest scrums in the previous URC season, and both former internationals should bring some valuable consistency & experience to the jersey. RFC starter Davies-King may need to come in if emergencies arise. Depth Rating: 7/10

    Locks: Teddy Williams, Josh McNally, George Nott, Rory Thornton, Ben Donnell

    Teddy Williams and Josh McNally were probably the best of the Welsh regions’ locks last season, and can be expected to retain their starting jerseys even with the signing of George Nott. Their ability to compete at the lineout and steal opposition ball, and play an athletic attacking game that fits with Sherratt’s gameplan, helps the forward pack out massively, though discipline has been an issue for both of them. Flanker-hybrid Donnell’s performance against the Lions was excellent, though the week after he collapsed against Benetton, so consistency may be a concern for him, while Nott and Thornton have struggled for minutes. Still, an area of relative strength for Cardiff. Depth Rating: 8.5/10

    Back Row: Alex Mann, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau, Taine Basham, Alun Lawrence, Dan Thomas, Lucas de la Rua

    Also a strong area for Cardiff, with the depth to rotate 6 and 7 regularly. Alun Lawrence topped the charts for tackles made, and Faletau was arguably the region’s strongest player towards the end of the season. Taine Basham may be Cardiff’s most important signing, as his athletic carrying game aims to make a case for his return to the Wales squad. Mann and Botham may struggle with discipline, but are effective on both sides of the ball and have earned their recent call ups, while Dan Thomas is one of the region’s more underrated players, especially after his solid start to last season. If the back row functions as planned, they can be very difficult to manage, and the loss of Thomas Young hopefully won’t be felt too much. Depth Rating: 9/10

    Scrum Half: Johan Mulder, Aled Davies, Ellis Bevan

    Along with Harri Millard and Rhys Barrett, Johan Mulder was one of Cardiff’s most notable breakthroughs last season, as he remained effective in most areas of the game and elevated their attack out of the maul, something Cardiff struggled with after the departure of Tomos Williams. Ellis Bevan is still a great player, though he seems to have slipped down the pecking order as of Mulder’s emergence, while Aled Davies brings some valuable experience to the position. Still not one of Cardiff’s strongest positions compared to the other regions. Depth Rating: 7/10

    Fly-Half: Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd, Harri Wilde

    Callum Sheedy’s conversion struggles aside, his ability to control a fast-paced attack was incredibly valuable to Cardiff last season. While Tinus de Beer’s departure is unfortunate, he’s replaced by another former Bristol fly-half in the form of Ioan Lloyd, coming off the back of his very successful season with the Scarlets and being able to play a similar game to Sheedy with much more versatility. I honestly don’t know which one will start more games, which is valuable for Cardiff’s stocks, especially with Harri Wilde’s U20s exploits. Ben Thomas and Jacob Beetham can also cover this position in a pinch, though as far as individual stars are concerned, they don;t measure up to the West Walians. Depth Rating: 8.5/10

    Centres: Ben Thomas, Harri Millard, Rory Jennings, Steffan Emanuel

    Rey Lee-Lo has finally brought his 10-year career with the region to an end, but Cardiff should be able to manage without his service for the time being. Ben Thomas has been Wales’ first choice 12 for a while now, and his ability to act as a second playmaker is crucial to the region’s playstyle. Rory Jennings is able to fill this role in his absence, and Steffan Emanuel’s try-scoring flair is always handy. As far as try-scoring is concerned, however, Harri Millard looks the most likely to lock down the 13 jersey after an exceptional season, though Mason Grady might challenge that upon his return from injury. Should Ioan Lloyd be deployed here, his quick footwork and solid kicking game make him a natural substitute for Thomas as well. Depth Rating: 8.5/10

    Wings: Josh Adams, Mason Grady, Theo Cabango, Iwan Stephens

    With all 4 of these players injured at some point last season, Cardiff’s depth was seriously challenged here, with Millard and the now-departed Hamer-Webb covering alongside short-term signings. However, at full strength, this backline is very intimidating. Josh Adams is a very experienced winger by Wales standards, with a brilliant defensive game on top of his attacking flair. Mason Grady’s size, speed, and off-the-bench versatility makes him one of the region’s most consistent try-scorers, while Cabango’s raw pace makes him incredibly difficult to defend against. Iwan Stephens’ portfolio may be more limited by comparison, but against Ulster, he showed how dangerous he can be on both sides of the ball. Combined with Tom Bowen of the U20s, and Cardiff could be incredibly dangerous here; once injuries are recovered, at least. Depth Rating: 9/10

    Fullbacks: Cameron Winnett, Jacob Beetham, Tom Bowen

    As the winner of last season’s Ironman award, Cameron Winnett will likely retain this jersey if he isn’t called into the Wales squad. Luckily, Beetham and Bowen are both highly capable deputies, and Ioan Lloyd can bring his Scarlets experience here as well. Cardiff tend to use their fullback as an effective counter-attacking option to restart their offensive momentum, and all three players are strong runners that can create clean breaks and setup tries; Winnett had an astounding 11 try assists last season, though his defence remains a work in progress. A lack of experience doesn’t hold this position back too much for Cardiff. Depth Rating: 8/10

    Overall Score: 80/100 points

    Predicted finish: 12th

    While the forward pack is far from consistent, and certain positions struggle with depth in numbers, star power, or experience, Cardiff’s new signings should give them all the tools they need for a playoff push if they retain their form from last season. That said, other clubs may look to exploit their inconsistent discipline with patient and physical gameplay. Their overall solid depth may have been enough to one-up their previous performance, but with Sherratt departing just before the start to the season, it may prove to be too much of an uphill battle. 

    My Peak 23:

    Domachowski, Belcher, Wainwright, McNally, T. Williams, Mann, Basham, Faletau, Mulder, Sheedy, Adams, Thomas, Millard, Grady, Winnett

    Lloyd, Barrett, Assiratti, Nott, Botham, Bevan, Lloyd, Bowen