Five things we learned as Wales winless in URC round two

The Welsh URC talking points as Cardiff are pipped by Munster, Dragons draw with Sharks and Ospreys lose at Stormers.

Cardiff wing Tom Bowen dives over for a try against Munster in Limerick
Wing Tom Bowen made his Cardiff debut against Cheetahs in December 2024 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Cardiff lost and Dragons drew but it was the club from the Arms Park that were happier with their two-point haul in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The Blue and Blacks reaped the rewards of an expansive approach against Munster when lively wing Tom Bowen completed a hat-trick at the death.

Cardiff deservedly bagged a pair of bonus points at Thomond Park while Dragons are still kicking themselves at failing to sneak a win against Sharks in Newport.

Ospreys, meanwhile, can truly start their season after getting their South African double-header out of the way with predictable defeats at Bulls and Stormers.

Scarlets endured a travel nightmare as their game at Connacht was postponed.

Here are five take-aways for Welsh rugby from round two of the URC.

Bowen and Sheedy help Cardiff double up

Callum Sheedy kicks the ball through for Cardiff at Munster
Callum Sheedy returned to Cardiff from Bristol in 2024 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

It looked like Cardiff were to going to lament the failure to claim a restart after their third try and a costly kick out on the full when they trailed by eight in the closing stages.

However, a strong scrum, brave kick to the 22 by replacement Ioan Lloyd and a patient attack ended with Bowen scuttling over for their fourth try.

There was a nervous wait for the TMO to deem there was no clear knock-on in the build-up by Taine Basham before Cardiff could toast what has to go down as a successful trip to Ireland despite the 23-20 defeat.

Granted, they missed five kicks at goal in windy conditions, failed to hold onto the lead three times and were frustrated by a forward pass in the lead up to Munster's first try, but they are in credit.

Cardiff are two points better off than many would have predicted thanks to their pair of bonuses at Thomond Park – where they have lost all 12 games – and a five-pointer against Lions.

The loss in Limerick featured two wonderful hat-tricks with the bustling Bowen going over three times and fly-half Callum Sheedy providing three assists, two with pinpoint kicks and another with a peach of a tip-on.

The fly-half was clattered as he set up the third try and that ended his night.

Cardiff have given themselves a platform to make it an excellent first block with a home game against Connacht, a trip to a Dragons side desperate to end their Blue and Black hoodoo, and an Arms Park date with Edinburgh.

They still have plenty of work-ons and need to be more cut-throat in the 22. Midfield is a concern due to injuries and Ben Thomas' suspension, though the loss of Matt Sherratt doesn't appeared to have completely thrown them.

As with all four Welsh sides, the key will be how they cope with the squad being stretched.

Dragons lost for words

Dragons co-captain Angus O'Brien's post-match interview on live TV was painful to watch after another blown opportunity.

The full-back was lost for words in the immediate aftermath of a 17-17 draw with Sharks that really should have been a 20-17 success.

Dragons failed to attempt a routine drop goal at the death, which means they ended their 18-game losing streak in the URC but now have a 19-match winless run.

Dragons showed admirable tenacity to stay alive against a powerful Sharks side in the rain but did not get what would have been a statement win for a new-look squad.

They are still to claim a scalp of one of the big South African four - Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions - while head coach Filo Tiatia still waits for a first URC victory.

Yet the management were helpless at the death when the 14 men on the field attempted to turn two points into four.

Cool heads were needed but the ball was not passed to Tinus de Beer in the pocket when right in front of the posts.

A lack of experience could not be blamed - Rhodri Williams, De Beer and Angus O'Brien are seasoned decision-makers.

Dragons have rarely been in such a match scenario in recent times but they need to nail such moments.

It feels like they are a different side this season but that must quickly translate into wins, with huge home derbies with Cardiff and Ospreys to come at the end of the first block.

Powerful Paea's promising debut cut short

Fetuli Paea with his right arm in a sling after Dragons' draw with Sharks
Tonga centre Fetuli Paea joined Dragons from Zebre Parma [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Fetuli Paea made one of the most exciting Dragons debuts for quite some time, but the worry is that it may be a wait for his second outing.

The centre arrived at Rodney Parade from Zebre Parma in the summer and then went away to help Tonga qualify for the Rugby World Cup by finishing third at the Pacific Nations Cup.

That meant Paea was not available for the URC opener at Ulster but he slotted straight into the XV in the 17-17 draw with Lions.

The 31-year-old got Dragons on the front foot with an impressive burst before number eight Aaron Wainwright's try.

He then hit a terrific line from midfield partner Aneurin Owen's short pass to break through, bump off wing Christie Grobbelaar and stay calm to put full-back O'Brien over.

The centre also put in some big hits when defending tight to the ruck against big South African runners but sadly his game ended after 50 minutes.

Paea injured his right wrist when making a tackle and then, while holding his arm, was wiped out by O'Brien as he ran the ball back on a counter-attack.

The summer signing had his arm in a sling and will have his wrist scanned.

Dragons' second recruit from Tonga, wing Fine Inisi, also caught the eye with fast footwork and powerful runs on his first start.

Ospreys upbeat before return to Bridgend

Keelan Giles on the run for Ospreys at Stormers in the URC
Keelan Giles made his Wales debut against Japan on the 2025 summer tour [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

It was always going to be a daunting task starting the season in South Africa and most would have expected Ospreys to return to Wales with two defeats.

A four-try bonus point was earned in the 53-40 loss to Bulls in Pretoria but it was a pointless trip to Cape Town for a 26-10 defeat to Stormers despite another spirited effort.

Mark Jones's side prepare for a first game at their Bridgend home this season against Zebre Parma on Saturday slightly buoyed by their South African double-header.

"We will go home with our heads held high," said Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake at DHL Stadium.

"I know we have not got the results we have wanted but there is a lot of positives to take from this trip."

Those positives include the form of Lake and flanker Harri Deaves, who have both expertly filled in for the absent Jac Morgan after a delayed start to the season following his exploits with the British and Irish Lions in Australia.

Lake led the side impressively in Morgan's absence while Deaves has been outstanding in the number seven jersey with 28 tackles against the Stormers.

Ospreys have scored eight tries in two matches, demonstrating much more adventure under Jones with wing Daniel Kasende continuing his fine form from last season.

Welsh scrum struggles

What Ospreys are lacking is the forward dominance achieved under former coach Toby Booth with their struggling scrum a crucial factor in both defeats in South Africa, while their attacking maul against the Stormers was negated by the referee.

Ospreys are lacking in front-row resources and needed to recruit a top-class tight-head.

If Ospreys can gain some form of set-piece parity, they will be able to unleash their vastly-improved attacking game. That will be the challenge for the rest of the season.

Dragons also suffered at the scrum against hefty South African opposition.

The post-match feeling in the home camp was that Sharks got away with the angle of their scrummaging that led to Italian referee Fillipo Russo penalising the home side nine times in that area.

Dragons ended the game with 14 men after replacement tight-head Chris Coleman was yellow-carded as the infringements racked up.

That meant they finished with both starters on the field after the return of Rob Hunt and a 75-minute shift for loose-head prop Wyn Jones because of Rodrigo Martinez's head injury.

Their scrum struggles made it all the more remarkable that the tenacious Dragons stayed in the game, but they need a platform.

Category: General Sports