Challenge Cup hopes alive as Welsh derbies loom

Cardiff, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys each enjoyed one win and suffered one defeat in the opening rounds of the European Challenge Cup

Europe will now take a back seat for the Welsh professional sides as festive derby dates move to the top of the agenda.

Following the first two rounds of the Challenge Cup, the tournament will start again in mid January.

It was another mixed weekend for the Welsh teams. After the opening round of games where just Ospreys were successful, Toby Booth's side suffered a record European 59-15 defeat in Montpellier.

In contrast, Scarlets and Cardiff this time celebrated home wins against Black Lion and Cheetahs respectively, and Dragons turned over Newcastle at Kingston Park.

So all four Welsh teams remain in the hunt to reach the knockout stages of Europe's second tier tournament.

It might be approaching Christmas but it promises to be another busy week in Welsh rugby with the future of Wales head coach Warren Gatland one of the things on the agenda.

The Welsh sides will try to be focusing on what happens on the field.

Dragons win at last

Dragons celebrated a first away win of the 2024-25 season with victory in Newcastle

Dragons must get top billing considering theirs was only a second victory of the season and the first for almost three months.

It was a first win since the opening day of the season against Ospreys and a first success for interim head coach Filo Tiatia who took charge following the departure of Dai Flanagan.

"I'm proud of the effort and happy we came out the other side," said Tiatia.

"The boys dug in deep and there were good moments."

Tries from prop Rodrigo Martinez, number eight Aaron Wainwright and full-back Huw Anderson secured the win, although there were concerns for lock George Nott who was stretchered off in the second half with a worrying head injury.

Dan Lydiate, 36, rolled back the years with a vintage performance on his 100th Dragons appearance, more than 17 years after making his debut for the Gwent side.

Wainwright's return to form will be especially timely with the Boxing Day derby against Cardiff at Rodney Parade on the horizon on 26 December.

Cardiff stars approaching form and fitness

Taulupe Faletau has played more than 100 internationals for Wales

Wainwright could have a showdown with fellow Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau, who made his return after eight months out injured when he lined up for Cardiff against Cheetahs.

Faletau produced an impressive, classy 52-minute display with 16 carries and 13 tackles.

"It was brilliant and I am chuffed for him," said Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt.

"He's worked hard and, as always, he goes out there and oozes class.

"Having his name on the team-sheet gives everyone a boost in Welsh rugby."

Faletau has joined fellow British and Irish Lion Josh Adams in returning to full fitness, with the wing back after six months on the sidelines.

Adams, 29, produced a two-try player-of-the-match performance against Cheetahs.

"He looks sharp at the moment," said Sherratt.

"It was his third game back and while he probably did not have a lot to do but what he did and always does, is top class."

Wider afield, Liam Williams made a try-scoring return for Saracens in their away Champions Cup win against Stade Francais and Dafydd Jenkins returned as a replacement for Exeter in a heavy defeat by Toulouse.

So a struggling Wales national side should have more established and experienced options available during next year's Six Nations. Whoever is in charge.

Young talent coming through

Tom Bowen (centre) is the son of former Scarlets fly-half Gareth

As well as the tried and trusted, the second weekend of Europe has proved there is some exciting young talent coming through.

Wales Under-20s full-back Anderson impressed for Dragons in a player-of-the-match display on his first start.

"Huw certainly lit it up, he was exciting," said Tiatia.

"We know what he can do, like most young guys they just need a chance and he was very good."

Wing Tom Bowen, only 18, also crossed for a try for Cardiff on his debut, demonstrating an electric running style Adams compared to cartoon character "Road Runner".

Bowen was also well supported on his first Cardiff start.

"I've just been mobbed by about 50 of his family out there," said Sherratt.

"I think he brought half his village."

Bowen's call-up came a week after Sherratt gave a debut to 18-year-old centre Steffan Emanuel.

"I wanted two things out of this Challenge Cup competition," said Sherratt.

"We'd love to get a home game at the Arms Park in the knockout stages at some point.

"And we wanted to grow the squad. So rather than chucking them all in at once, putting Tom in a backline with Cameron Winnett and Josh Adams around him, or Steffan last week with Rey Lee-Lo, it's about giving them that first experience.

"We're chuffed for both of them."

Scarlets target derby date

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel is a former Wales scrum-half

The first festive derby date will take place in Swansea next Saturday when Ospreys host west Wales rivals Scarlets.

The two sides arrive at the game from contrasting experiences this weekend.

Scarlets are buoyed by the bonus-point 36-18 home victory over Georgian side Black Lion, including two tries from impressive captain Josh Macleod.

Scarlets are aware of recent history against Ospreys with no away league win for them in this fixture since October 2017.

"It is a big week ahead of us," said head coach Dwayne Peel.

"It is potentially the last at the Swansea.com Stadium, so it's going to be a great occasion.

"A festive derby is great for everyone and something people in west Wales can get behind."

His squad are not playing this fixture down either - Scarlets and Wales prop Kemsley Mathias saying the date of 21 December is "circled in the calendar".

"We know how important an Ospreys derby is, so it's important we get our heads right," said Mathias.

"It's special. There are a few new boys in the fold so we need to make sure they know the importance of next weekend. It's definitely a must win for us."

Ospreys are reeling from a woeful display in France where they also picked up injuries to captain Jac Morgan and fellow Wales internationals Gareth Thomas and Owen Williams, while lock Adam Beard is already sidelined.

Ospreys must bounce back in a fixture they are attempting to bill as "the derby like no other".

The occasion provided by the two sides and attendance achieved next weekend will help determine whether that bold claim is correct.

Quote of the weekend

"I was worried it was going to get dark out there."

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel speaking about his side's Sunday early afternoon game against Black Lion that lasted more than two hours courtesy of the all-French refereeing team on display and their overzealous use of the television match official (TMO).