Welsh

Dragons endured a nightmare 2025 that was winless until they beat Lyon in the Challenge Cup on 14 December, which was followed by a stunning URC victory against Connacht six days later.

Filo Tiatia’s men finished bottom of the URC last season, but resilient recent displays have given reason for optimism.

Dragons are currently 15th, but could go 10th with victory against Scarlets.

Not only do they want to avoid propping up the pile this season, they would love to avoid being Wales’ worst side for the first time since 2019-20.

Head coach Tiatia believes their battling display at Cardiff provided encouragement.

“There were some positives, and we stayed in the fight to try and win it at the end,” he said.

“We were maybe five or 10% off in terms of some physicality parts of game, but we have lots to take forward into Scarlets.”

Scarlets are currently bottom of the URC, although they do have a game in hand, and recent progress was brought to a dramatic halt against Ospreys.

“The games are coming thick and fast,” said head coach Dwayne Peel, whose side have Champions Cup fixtures against Pau and Northampton on the horizon.

“The Dragons is another important game and another tough game for us. We have to make sure we go to Rodney Parade with a spark and full of energy.”

Like Ospreys, a New Year’s Day win would dramatically change the picture in the URC and give some hope of repeating last season’s charge to the top eight.

Cardiff and Llanelli played host to derbies on 26 December and the action will be in Newport and Bridgend on New Year’s Day.

The Arms Park was packed before Christmas to see Scarlets edge out the hosts, and this time a packed house saw the Blue and Blacks sneak victory.

A sold-out figure of 12,125 tickets issued was announced by Cardiff, with Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia lauding the atmosphere.

“The crowd was amazing, for Cardiff and the Dragons,” said Tiatia, an Ospreys legend from his playing days. “It became a singing contest at the end.

“It was pleasing to see where the game is at with local derbies and fans coming out to support their teams.

“That’s what we want for derbies – that they are competitive, grounds are sold out and the game is growing. It’s all around the tribalism of the regions.”

There were more than 12,000 at Parc y Scarlets as well, with victorious Ospreys head coach Jones hoping there are more occasions like this as the WRU looks to cut a men’s professional side.

“You could tell it was a west Wales derby and long may they continue,” said Jones.

“These occasions are massive. Just at the end of the game, to see your players and coaches going over to meet their families over in the terrace over the far side.

“With so many of them and fans turning up when they could be doing all sorts at this time of the year, but they choose to come down and support their team.

“It is amazing. We talked about the emotional side of the game in the derby and how you have to use the emotion.

“I thought the boys used the emotion incredibly well and the Scarlets did the same. I thought their care for their shirt was equally good.”

The stockings have been hung and the tree has been decorated – but who is that hiding behind those baubles?

Do you think you can identify the dozen Welsh sports stars obscured by our Christmas hangings?

They are all personalities who featured in Wales’ sporting headlines during 2025.

Take our quiz and see how many you can spot.

Welsh rugby’s governing body has said it proposes to grant three licences for men’s professional clubs.

There will be one in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west, which is expected to result in a straight survival fight between Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets in Llanelli.

Buchanan does not agree with the reduction in the number of sides after he pointed to the initial previous change in 2003 from clubs to regions.

“We came from our clubs to our regions and those were big steps,” said Buchanan.

“We had success on the field with Triple Crown, Grand Slams and Six Nations Championships in that era.

“The Scarlets, Cardiff, Ospreys, were all successful stories. So what brings me to this is what’s happened and how have we arrived here?”

The 70-year-old went on:

“What are we going to do to bring ourselves back into being a top tier one country?

“The next step made will be crucial. And I cannot support that next step in taking one of our top regions out.”

Buchanan believes losing Ospreys or Scarlets will be detrimental to the Welsh game.

“Whichever one goes, it’s going to be devastating,” he said.

“The Ospreys stretch from Bridgend, or Cardiff, down to Swansea and the Scarlets are down to the west with a new stadium and everything.

“I don’t see the decision being a step forward. It could be we could lose a lot of support on and off the field.”

The former Wales forward said he had also been against the WRU’s previous plan of two professional sides that was shelved following a public consultation.

“I was horrified with that thought,” he added.

“We are tribal in Wales. We like our local derbies and we like rugby in our areas. Those are important things to me.”

Buchanan also raised the prospect of the professional sides losing some control of the playing side of the organisation to the WRU.

“We have people that have been supportive of Welsh rugby, benefactors that have given their money,” said Buchanan.

“I can’t go into the detail of what is being offered to them, but it isn’t something they’re keen on signing.

“So we’re at loggerheads. It’s crucial we mend those fences and understand it’s a partnership. That’s what is missing at the moment, an agreement with a partnership.

“People have put their hands in their own pockets to put into the professional game and we need to respect that.”