Experienced Trio Return Boosts Wales
Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan, and Elliot Dee, all of whom represented Wales at the 2023 World Cup, have returned to action, providing a boost for Welsh rugby. This positive development comes a week after the conclusion of the Six Nations and coincides with the resumption of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Despite the weekend's results being largely disappointing for Welsh teams, the return of these seasoned players offers encouragement. Cardiff, Ospreys, and Dragons all suffered defeats, while Scarlets were the sole Welsh side to secure a victory.
Tandy Gains Experienced Options
Jac Morgan made his second appearance of the season for Ospreys in their match against Benetton. Flanker Alex Mann, number eight Aaron Wainwright, and hooker Dewi Lake were key performers for Wales during the Six Nations, but head coach Steve Tandy will welcome the increased competition brought by the returning players.
Morgan, regarded as arguably Wales' only world-class player and a British & Irish Lions forward, demonstrated his quality on Saturday. Having been sidelined since November due to a dislocated left shoulder, the 26-year-old was introduced off the bench for Ospreys at Benetton. He executed a textbook jackal at a crucial breakdown, winning a penalty, although this was insufficient to prevent a costly defeat.
Italy's head coach Gonzalo Quesada observed the match at Stadio Monigo, and it is likely that Tandy was monitoring Morgan's performance closely from home. The Gloucester-bound flanker will be eager to conclude his tenure at Ospreys on a strong note before rejoining the national squad this summer.
Faletau was included in Tandy's initial squad but missed the autumn campaign due to a knee injury and subsequently suffered a calf problem ahead of the Six Nations. The 35-year-old returned to play for 24 minutes against the Bulls on Friday, showcasing his class with powerful and swift carries.
While Wainwright stepped up for Wales and flankers Mann and James Botham impressed alongside him, Faletau remains a valuable asset for Tandy.
Hooker Elliot Dee participated in all five Six Nations matches in 2025 but sustained a shoulder injury during the opening weekend of the current season. The 32-year-old returned as a starter against the Stormers and delivered a typically robust performance. Dee will be competing for playing time with Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Liam Belcher, and club teammate Brodie Coghlan this summer.
Dee established himself as a reliable substitute under former coach Warren Gatland, a role that was at times frustrating for him but one he aims to reclaim. He aspires to participate in a third World Cup, having been involved in the 2019 and 2023 tournaments.
Cardiff Faces Play-Off Pressure as South Africans Dominate
The Stormers defeated the Dragons, completing a clean sweep for South African teams in round 13 of the URC. The Bulls, Lions, and Sharks also secured comprehensive victories against Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Munster, respectively.
Cardiff finds itself under pressure, having missed the top eight by a single point in 2025. Currently positioned strongly, just two points shy of third place, they risk slipping to seventh if upcoming matches proceed according to expectations.
The Blue and Blacks face the Sharks in Durban on Friday, followed by matches against the Bulls and Lions, who will be seeking maximum points against Munster and Dragons. Every point is crucial for Cardiff, who will be aiming to return to Wales with points after failing to secure a URC match point for the first time this season in their loss to the Bulls.
Corniel van Zyl's squad, with home fixtures remaining against Ospreys and Stormers, will also require support from fellow regional teams.
Ospreys' Play-Off Hopes in Jeopardy
The Ospreys have limited margin for error if they are to qualify for the top eight. Their defeat at Benetton dealt a significant blow to their aspirations, especially considering that the Bulls and Lions each have three home fixtures remaining.
Ninth-placed Connacht appears to be the most probable challenger, following their surprise fourth consecutive victory at Ulster. The Ospreys will travel to Galway on Saturday, 28 March (14:15 GMT), where a win would keep their play-off hopes alive and be welcomed by Cardiff supporters.
Mark Jones' team has performed admirably amid uncertainty this season but requires an almost flawless run-in. They also face a challenging away match against Leinster in the final round.
Scarlets and Dragons Show Determination
Scarlets secured a win against bottom-placed Zebre, becoming the only Welsh side to win in round 13 and moving above the Dragons in the standings. They are also the only Welsh team not participating in knockout European rugby, granting them a two-week break following their upcoming trip to Leinster.
Since the start of the year, Nigel Davies' side has made progress but faces a tough challenge in Dublin, compounded by hooker injuries. Ryan Elias and Marnus van der Merwe both sustained head injuries against Zebre, leaving the team reliant on 20-year-old Harry Thomas to fill the specialist role.
"We are playing Ireland away and it's a great challenge," said interim director of rugby Davies. "We can go and put in a big performance then who knows."
The Dragons, positioned one place from the bottom, have had an encouraging season and demonstrated further progress despite a 29-21 defeat by the Stormers. The South African side squandered several opportunities but were also challenged by the Dragons' resilience.
"I was really happy with the character and staying in the fight," said head coach Filo Tiatia. "The last passage of play when we kept them out was a real Gwent mentality."
Last season, the Dragons lost by double digits in 11 of 18 URC fixtures, finishing bottom with a single win. This season, they have recorded only three such defeats in 13 matches, including two wins and three draws.
Their points difference has improved from -302 last season to -67 currently. Having scored three tries against the Stormers, the Dragons will aim to replicate their fighting spirit in their upcoming match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, 28 March (14:30 GMT).
Tiatia's squad is competing with Scarlets to avoid finishing last among Welsh teams and can also assist Cardiff's play-off ambitions. The Bulls will visit Newport and Llanelli in April.
