A Welsh whitewash in Europe was on the cards when Ospreys were heading towards half-time in Bridgend but they produced a stunning fightback to start the Challenge Cup in style.
Scarlets are Wales’ sole representative in the Champions Cup and they were left kicking themselves after a 17-16 defeat by Bristol in Llanelli on Saturday night.
Cardiff and Dragons were convincingly downed in France by Stade Francais and Perpignan but Ospreys dug deep at Brewery Field.
Their 24-21 win against Connacht provides a launchpad to push for knockout rugby, and ideally in Bridgend.
BBC Sport Wales looks at some of the Challenge Cup talking points.
Ospreys’ unity shines bright
Ospreys were passive in the first half against Connacht and the Irish province really should have bagged a four-try bonus point before the break.
Stuart Lancaster’s side were left to rue missed chances as Harri Deaves’ try before half-time got the hosts on the scoreboard, then further scores followed by centre Phil Cokanasiga, lock Ryan Smith and wing Iestyn Hopkins.
Ospreys dug deep in atrocious conditions to produce a result that few saw coming when the clock hit 40 minutes, and all that amid uncertainty over their future.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s plan to cut the nummber of teams from four to three has Mark Jones’ squad in the firing line, yet they are showing remarkable resilience.
“You can’t ever question the spirit of the Ospreys,” said the head coach. “No matter who has coached or played for them, the spirit has been very strong.
“Since my time at the Ospreys, as an assistant when Toby Booth was here and then as a head coach, we know that the spirit is the most crucial cog in the organisation.
“There is a great spirit throughout the whole of the team – starting players, bench players and those not selected.
“The non-playing group prepared us exceptionally well and we needed that, without it we wouldn’t have got the win.”
The first half was a disasterclass as Connacht won collisions and dominated at the set piece but Ospreys turned that around, with replacement loose-head Gareth Thomas deserving plenty of praise for his scrummaging performance off the bench.
Next up, Top 14 strugglers Montauban and a chance for a precious win on the road.
The wait for a win goes on
Dragons may have been forgiven for heading to the south of France with an air of optimism.
They had given title holders Leinster a scare in the United Rugby Championship (URC) the previous weekend and were taking on a side rooted to the bottom of the French Top 14 table.
However, Perpignan did not play like a side that had lost 11 on the bounce as they won 41-17.
Despite losing Duncan Paia’aua to an early red card, they were the better team in almost every aspect and proved far more deadly in attack with a six-try haul, the pick coming in the second half and finished off by Matteo le Corvec.
Dragons’ replacement hooker Will Austin impressed with two second-half tries, but it was a sloppy and lacklustre performance from Filo Tiatia’s side.
They return to Rodney Parade to take on another French outfit, Lyon, on Sunday and will need to be much better all around the park.
Dragons have still not won in 2025 and their last success was at Newcastle in round two of last season’s Challenge Cup, the only victory of Tiatia’s reign so far.
Is Europe a distraction?
Cardiff won the Challenge Cup in 2010 and 2018 but their start to the United Rugby Championship means they have other priorities.
The Blue and Blacks are second in the URC thanks to winning five of their first six games and that led to Corniel Van Zyl selecting a much-changed side for their opener at Stade Francais.
Nonetheless, there were plenty of positives when they led 10-5 at the break only for the Parisians, fourth in the Top 14, to cruise to a 38-17 win.
Full-back Matty Young was lively on debut and scrum-half Ieuan Davies and back Elijah Evans also made their first appearances off the bench, while James Botham, Mason Grady and Iwan Stephens took a step towards full sharpness after injury.
“I’m really proud of the boys,” said number eight Alun Lawrence, who captained the side. “It’s a young group, with three debutants, boys coming back from injuries and a couple making their first starts.
“They dug in really well. At no point did we ever throw the towel in, we kept knocking on the door. We’re disappointed, gutted, but really proud at the same time.”
Cardiff have three important festive derbies against Scarlets, Dragons and Ospreys that will go a long way towards deciding their URC play-off fate.
The management must decide who to hold back against Ulster in the Challenge Cup on Saturday, who deserves an opportunity and who needs game time.
If they do beat the Irish province then a more ‘serious’ approach could be adopted in January against Racing 92 (home) and Exeter (away).
