BBC Sport Wales looks at the talking points thrown up during another weekend of United Rugby Championship action.
As we wait for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to decide on the future of the game in Wales, the four professional sides continue to have contrasting fortunes in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
We had the first Welsh derby where Cardiff maintained their derby domination over Dragons and consolidate fourth place.
However, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets occupy three out of the bottom four places after disappointing defeats this weekend.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy was also running the rule over some contenders before he names his first squad for the autumn internationals in November.
BBC Sport Wales looks at the talking points thrown up during another weekend of URC action.
Final chance to impress
Tandy names his first squad for the autumn internationals on Tuesday and was in Newport and Bridgend casting a final eye over some hopefuls.
Cardiff teenage wing Tom Bowen has been the standout uncapped candidate this season and he was again impressive at Rodney Parade as Cardiff beat Dragons 24-17.
The 19-year-old did not manage to add to his five tries this season but was a notable threat in the second half.
Whether he is ready for the step up to international rugby divides opinion.
"I don't like to make comparisons, but when Shane Williams had the ball he did things no other player could, he looks dangerous," former Wales centre Jamie Roberts told S4C.
"There was a couple of basic mistakes but he's constantly improving.
"He's got the skills to go the whole way and play for Wales, I'm just not sure he's ready quite yet."
Flanker Alex Mann was named player of the match against Dragons, while his Cardiff back-row colleague, the peerless Taulupe Faletau, produced an assured 52-minutes in his first appearance of the season after recovering from a calf injury.
Ospreys overpowered by Glasgow
Ospreys duo Keiran Williams and Keelan Giles were late withdrawals against Glasgow but uncapped back-rower Morgan Morse was impressive in patches during a humbling defeat.
After a 24-0 home win against Zebre, it was back down to earth with a bump for Ospreys as they were outclassed and outmuscled by Glasgow in a 42-17 defeat in Bridgend.
The one-sided contest left the Brewery Field faithful stunned and head coach Mark Jones reflecting on what happened.
"We were dominated in most facets of the game but particularly the collision part," said Jones.
"It's one thing preparing for what's coming but another thing dealing with it live.
"I felt the group we had were capable of producing more. We had produced more than that against good teams this season already, where we've been far more competitive.
"But I have to say well done to Glasgow."
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Dreary derby but Cardiff riding high
The first Welsh derby of the season was not a classic, with Cardiff fly-half Callum Sheedy describing it afterwards as "one for the purists".
"It probably wasn't our most entertaining style, but it doesn't matter," said Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl.
"We are just happy with the result. It's a derby and you want to get on the right side of that. It was a tough one and we ground it out."
Cardiff, currently owned by the WRU, have been the bright spot so far for crisis-stricken Welsh rugby, with three wins in four games and even temporarily topping the table on Friday night.
They finish the first block of matches with a home match against Edinburgh next Saturday evening.
"We are in a healthy position but let's not get carried away," said Van Zyl.
After Matt Sherratt left Cardiff to join Wales just before the season started, Van Zyl has taken over as interim boss
"I am loving it at the moment," said the South African.
"It's a privilege to represent the club and lead the boys into games. Winning always helps, so that makes it easier."
Dragons fail to prove former boss wrong
Former Dragons head coach Lyn Jones caused a stir at Rodney Parade before the derby with Cardiff.
On the morning of the game, Jones told BBC Radio Cymru the WRU would be justified in cutting Dragons if the governing body reduces the number of professional teams.
Jones said Dragons have been Welsh rugby's weakest team during the regional era - which began in 2003 - and are the obvious choice to be discarded after "offering very little".
Jones was Ospreys head coach when current Dragons boss Filo Tiatia was a formidable number eight at the Liberty Stadium. Tiatia says he was surprised by the comments.
"Everyone is fighting for a job," said Tiatia. "Particularly these players here, they're trying to put performances forward and win games.
"We fell short [against Cardiff]. There were areas we need to keep improving and that's what we're going to do."
The comments about Dragons' dismal track record cannot be disputed.
Following this latest 24-17 defeat, the Newport-based region have lost 21 straight league games against Cardiff in a record stretching back to December 2014.
It has also been 21 URC matches since their previous league success when they defeated Ospreys in September 2024, with 20 defeats and a draw in that winless sequence.
Since taking over from Dai Flanagan, Tiatia has enjoyed just one win in 20 games - when his side defeated Newcastle in Europe's Challenge Cup.
This wretched return will mean his position will be under scrutiny - whatever might happen in Welsh rugby's future.
Scarlets suffer in South Africa
Another Welsh boss who will find himself under pressure is Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.
The 29-18 loss in Johannesburg in the basement battle against Lions means Peel's side have suffered three defeats in three games and find themselves rooted to the bottom with no points.
This is a far cry from Scarlets finishing as the highest Welsh side in the URC last season with eighth place to secure a spot in the Champions Cup.
The Llanelli club have lost a number of that side, particularly international locks with Vaea Fifita and Alex Craig leaving, while Sam Lousi, Jake Ball and Max Douglas have suffered injuries which has resulted in three second-row loan signings already.
Despite this major disruption, Scarlets should still be worried about their lack of cutting edge in attack and clinical nature.
On Saturday, they failed to capitalise when they had pulled the deficit back to 16-13 after 68 minutes against Lions and had an extra man, instead conceding two tries in that period.
Scarlets now travel to Durban to face Sharks next Saturday, with games against Glasgow, Bristol and Bordeaux to follow.
Final thoughts
A footnote for the URC to consider was the sparse crowd at Ellis Park for the Scarlets defeat, with less than 2,000 given as the official attendance.
Whenever the size of Welsh crowds are questioned, it must be mentioned there are sometimes similar issues in South Africa, with the Johannesburg ground - which can hold 62,000 - looking virtually empty.
While the quality on offer in the Welsh derby this weekend made for a sorry spectacle on the field, there was at least a raucous atmosphere with more than 7,000 fans turning up in the smaller setting of Rodney Parade.
The WRU must be aware getting rid of Welsh professional teams will mean less derby dates, which currently provide the best match-day experiences.
The governing body needs to consider the wishes of its core customers in any decisions it makes.
Just imagine more games with home and away supporters. Maybe an Anglo-Welsh league in the future, which appears to be the desire of most Welsh fans.
That, however, is not on the table in any upcoming changes to the game in Wales, according to WRU director of rugby Dave Reddin.
Most Welsh fans would urge him and the governing body to reconsider their long-term strategy on this issue.
Category: General Sports
