BBC Sport Wales looks at the prospects of Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets for the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship season.
Wales' regions kick-off the United Rugby Championship (URC) with even more uncertainty than usual in Welsh rugby.
Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets will begin their campaigns this weekend with their very future at risk.
The Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) plans to cut two of the four clubs are not due to be finalised until October.
By then, the quartet hope to be in a healthy position on the pitch as they look to take advantage over their rivals from Ireland and Scotland who will be resting their British & Irish Lions and the South African sides without their Springboks.
BBC Sport Wales assess the chances all four Welsh teams for the 2025-26 URC season.
Cardiff face life after Sherratt
Last season: 9th
Cardiff's plans for the season changed this month when boss Matt Sherratt landed the job of Wales attack coach just six days before their opener against Lions.
The Blue and Blacks insist they will not be derailed by the loss but it is a blow to lose a hugely popular figure ahead of a vital first block that will shape their season.
Cardiff were pipped to the play-offs by the Scarlets last season and their hopes of going at least one better could do with a healthy return from the opening five fixtures, with three home games and a derby at Dragons.
Munster in Limerick looks tough but all five games will be targeted given they face a daunting run-in at the end of the season.
The squad looks thin in certain positions – particularly at lock and centre – and it was a blow to already lose Mason Grady until the winter to a shoulder injury
But there is young talent emerging and Taine Basham will hope to rediscover the form that earned him Wales caps having made the short move from Dragons.
Key man: Teddy Williams.
Cardiff can be easy on the eye but there are concerns about their tight five and they need lock Teddy Williams to keep standing tall.
The Wales international was player of the year in 2024-25 and will be keen to add to his eight caps by being more dominant.
First fixtures: Lions (h), Munster (a), Connacht (h), Dragons (a), Edinburgh (h).
Only way is up for Dragons
Last season: 16th
Having finished last season bottom of the league for the first time with just a single victory, this season can surely only bring improvement.
They were a staggering 20 points off next worse Zebre Parma and head coach Filo Tiatia has spearheaded a huge recruitment drive of 14 players, including plenty of experience.
The propping stocks look stronger after the signings of Wales pair Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis as well as South African Robert Hunt.
Tiatia has raided neighbours Cardiff to snatch Tinus de Beer, Thomas Young, Seb Davies and Mackenzie Martin, who will all be keen to prove a point, while Tongan centre Fetuli Paea should add steel and threat in midfield.
He has also added experience to his staff with defence coach Dale MacLeod, who bullishly believes Dragons can target a top eight finish.
Dragons must target games at Rodney Parade and early home fixtures against Sharks, Cardiff and Ospreys present a big chance in a season where they need to change perceptions.
Key man: Tinus De Beer.
The Dragons have better depth in the tight five and some explosive back-row carriers, with talisman Aaron Wainwright joined by on-loan Martin, but they need better control. Whole-hearted De Beer should provide clarity.
First fixtures: Ulster (a), Sharks (h), Glasgow (a), Cardiff (h), Ospreys (h).
Ospreys power but no Tipuric
Last season: 12th
Ospreys start with a double-header in South Africa before returning to Bridgend, with the Brewery Field their home for a season during the planned redevelopment of St Helen's.
Mark Jones' side missed out on the play-offs last season after trying to juggle a push for the top eight with knockout rugby in the Challenge Cup.
Lions flanker Jac Morgan and Wales hooker Dewi Lake are linchpins while they have added steel by bringing in back-row forward Ross Moriarty from France.
Lock Adam Beard moved the opposite direction to Montpellier and that makes James Fender an important figure this season and, while they are without Justin Tipuric for the first time in 16 years after his move into coaching, they still boast a strong pack.
Starts don't come any tougher than away to Bulls and Stormers but Zebre in round three is must-win while they will hope to claim a statement win against Glasgow before hunting revenge for last season's loss at Rodney Parade.
Key man: Tom Botha.
Ospreys have plenty of grunt up front but they need tight-head prop Botha, who turned 35 in August, to keep racking up the games.
The South African's destructive scrummaging can set the tone for a pack that likes to dominate.
First fixtures: Bulls (a), Stormers (a), Zebre Parma (h), Glasgow (h), Dragons (a).
Scarlets must kick slow start habit
Last season: 8th
A late charge earned a play-off spot and a place in the Champions Cup but head coach Dwayne Peel is already aiming higher in the league.
Scarlets' problem in recent campaigns has been starting painfully slowly and this season's opening five games include two Irish provinces before three South African sides in a row.
Last season's run-in included excellent wins against Leinster and Lions so consistency is the key for a team that too often blows hot and cold.
The losses of Vaea Fifita and Alex Craig are considerable but the return of ex-Wales lock Jake Ball adds genuine bulk, if he can show the form that made him a Test regular.
There will be plenty of focus on how centre/fly-half Joe Hawkins adds to an already dangerous back line.
Key man: Joe Hawkins
Back in Wales after his international career was put on hold by a move from Ospreys to Exeter.
A classy ball-player who adds to the midfield options but also can be a more physical fly-half than Sam Costelow. Wales boss Steve Tandy will be watching closely.
First fixtures: Munster (h), Connacht (a), Stormers (h), Lions (a), Sharks (a).
Category: General Sports
