How Welsh sides can secure knockout Euro rugby

This weekend, the quartet, made up of Wales’ four regions, will switch from festive derbies to European action.

In the United Rugby Championship (URC), Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets played all-Welsh games on December 26 and December 1st.

Prior to crucial games in Europe, they have had plenty of time to recover from their bruising.

The other three competitions feature in the Challenge Cup while the Scarlets represent Wales in the premier Champions Cup.

The top four teams from each pool qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, which are divided into four groups of six.

The four teams that placed fifth in their respective pools now have the consolation of entering the Challenge Cup in a tie-up.

The top four of each group advance to the last 16 of the second-tier tournament, which consists of 18 teams divided into three pools of six.

The rankings show that the groups are winners by one to three points and that there are four to six second-placed teams.

After facing opposition from the Ospreys and Dragons in a derby, Scarlets are bottom of the URC, undermining head coach Dwayne Peel.

After battling displays in the Champions Cup against Bristol when they were defeated 17-16 in Llanelli and Bordeaux-Begles, who had three tries in a 50-21 defeat, they appeared to be back on track.

If Scarlets defeat Pau with a bonus point and deny their French visitors, who are second in the Top 14, anything, they will be guaranteed knockout rugby thanks to the consolation bonus point against the Bears.

Scarlets have a chance of making it to the last 16 of the Champions Cup if they travel to a tough round-four match against Northampton in that regard.

Bulls and Pau are currently ahead of Peel’s men, who meet in France to finish the group stages.

Scarlets would need a Franklin’s Gardens miracle to win any kind of knockout rugby following a defeat at Llanelli on Saturday night.

Scarlett-attachments

After a disappointing festive period, Cardiff are looking over their shoulders to ensure that they are in a strong position to advance to the URC play-offs.

Scarlets and Ospreys’ defeats to Dragons and Scarlets and Ospreys at Arms Park sandwiched a consoling victory.

Corniel van Zyl’s men are currently perceived as vulnerable in the race for home advantage despite looking strong for the top eight of the URC.

After boosting their knockout chances with a stunning victory over Ulster, they might also need to travel to Europe to make the last 16.

If Cardiff defeat Racing 92 on Saturday night at the Arms Park and Ulster defeat Cheetahs in Amsterdam on Sunday, they will be in with a round to spare.

In what could be a shoot-out for home advantage, the Blue and Blacks travel to resurgent Exeter for a difficult game.

The league is Cardiff’s top priority, but the two-time Challenge Cup winners are currently able to change their squad and continue to push for champion European competition.

fixtures in Cardiff

Dragons’ trip to Benetton on Saturday would have appeared write-off at the start of the European campaign, but now they have hope thanks to three wins in four.

Filo Tiatia’s men are recovering from victories against Connacht, Scarlets, and Lyon, as well as a dominant display in Cardiff’s 22-19 defeat at the hands of the opposition.

After losing 41-17 to then-winless Perpignan in their Challenge Cup opener, the Dragons’ continued to look highly unlikely.

After falling to Lyon 21-6 in the final quarter, the Dragons then defeated them 23-21. That means one more victory might be enough to earn a spot.

If Dragons turn the tables on Benetton, who are just back from losing at home to Edinburgh, they will have a chance to place in a tie at home against Newcastle in round four.

In a game that kicks off the final weekend, Red Bulls are bottom of the Prem but could enter Newport with three Challenge Cup victories. It’s more likely to be a must-win.

The Dragons, who have excelled at Rodney Parade in 2025-26 but have been poor travelers for years, could benefit from Parma’s assistance.

fixtures for Dragons

Ospreys are on the rise in the URC thanks to their impressive victories over Scarlets and Cardiff in the festive season, and they are also anticipating a crucial European tie in Bridgend.

Connacht defeated Mark Jones’ men in round one of the competition, and Mark Jones’ men won with a four-try bonus at Montauban.

A repeat of the Ospreys’ defeat last season in Parma and a league win over Zebre in October would give them a chance to finish first in the Ospreys’ final game against Montpellier.

That would ensure home advantage through the final on Friday, May 22 in Bilbao.

After winning the Challenge Cup in the last-16 against Scarlets and losing to Lyon in Swansea, last year was a missed opportunity.

Ospreys would have a real advantage in their attempt to advance by at least one step by going to Bridgend, where they can challenge rivals outside of their comfort zone.

Jones’ resilient squad continues to prove a point on the pitch despite the uncertainty surrounding Welsh professional rugby.

Ospreys fixtures