Five things we learned as Wales winless in URC round two

Cardiff lost and Dragons lost, but the Arms Park club was happier with their two-point performance in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

When lively wing Tom Bowen added a hat-trick at the death, The Blue and Blacks reappeared the rewards of an expansive attack against Munster.

While Dragons are still kicking themselves for failing to sneak a win against Sharks in Newport, Cardiff deservedly won two bonus points at Thomond Park.

Ospreys, in contrast, can truly kick off their season with predictable defeats at Bulls and Stormers, which set up their South African double-header.

Due to the delayed nature of their game at Connacht, Scarlets had to travel a nightmare.

When Cardiff led by eight in the closing stages, it appeared as though they were lamenting that they had lost a third try and a costly kick out on the full.

However, a strong scrum, brave kick by replacement kicker Ioan Lloyd to the 22 and patient attack resulted in Bowen scurtling over for the team’s fourth try.

Despite the 23-20 defeat, there was a nagging apprehension for the TMO before Cardiff could celebrate what must have gone down as a successful trip to Ireland.

Granted, they were penalized by a forward pass in the lead up to Munster’s first try and missed five kicks at goal in windy conditions.

Due to their pair of bonuses at Thomond Park, where they have lost all 12 games, and a five-pointer against the Lions, Cardiff are two points better than many would have predicted.

Two incredible hat-tricks were scored in Limerick, with Bowen, who was hustler, going over three times, and Callum Sheedy, who was also in charge, providing three assists, two with pinpoint kicks, and the other with a peach of a tip-on.

The fly-half’s third try came to an end, and it was clattered as he set it up.

With a home game against Connacht, a trip to a Dragons team desperate to put an end to their Blue and Black hoodoo, and a date at Edinburgh Park, Cardiff have given themselves a chance to make it an excellent first block.

They still need to be more competitive in the 22nd grade because of how much work they still do. Due to their injuries and Ben Thomas’ suspension, Midfield is a concern, but it doesn’t seem like Matt Sherratt’s absence has completely thrown them.

After another missed chance, Dragons co-captain Angus O’Brien’s live interview following the game was agonizing to watch.

The Sharks’ 17-17 draw, which actually should have been a 20-17 victory, left the full-back speechless in the aftermath.

Dragons ended their 18-game losing streak in the URC by failing to attempt a routine drop goal at the death, ending their 19-game winless streak.

In the rain, Dragons exhibited admirable tenacity to survive a strong Sharks side, but they were unable to earn what would have been a bold victory.

While head coach Filo Tiatia is awaiting a first URC victory, they are still claiming a scalp of one of the big South African four, the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls, and Lions.

The 14 men on the field attempted to convert two points into four at the death, but the management was helpless.

Although Tinus de Beer was required to have cool heads in the pocket right in front of the posts, the ball was not passed to him.

Rhodri Williams, De Beer, and Angus O’Brien are all well-versed in making decisions, which is not to blame.

Dragons need to nail such a match scenario because they haven’t done it much recently.

Fetuli Paea’s most anticipated Dragons debut came in 2004, but there may be a wait for his subsequent film.

The center moved to Rodney Parade from Zebre Parma in the summer, and he helped Tonga advance to the Rugby World Cup by placing third overall at the Pacific Nations Cup.

Paea missed the URC opener against Ulster because of that, but he made a direct start in the 17-17 draw with the Lions.

Before Aaron Wainwright’s try, the 31-year-old put the Dragons on the front foot with an impressive burst.

After breaking through Christie Grobbelaar’s short pass, he hit a fantastic line from midfield partner Aneurin Owen, who stayed calm throughout.

The center also delivered some powerful hits against powerful South African runners in his tight-to-the-ruck defense, but sadly his game ended after 50 minutes.

When Paea attempted to tackle him, his right wrist was injured, and O’Brien wiped his arm as he ran the ball back during a counterattack.

The summer signing’s wrist will be scanned along with his arm in a sling.

Most people expected Ospreys to return to Wales after two defeats, which would have always been a challenging first start to the season in South Africa.

In spite of another impressive effort, the Bulls lost to the Bulls 53-40 in Pretoria, but it was a pointless trip to Cape Town, where they lost 26-10 to the Stormers.

Mark Jones’ men’s side are slightly energized by their South African double-header as they prepare for their first game against Zebre Parma on Saturday at their Bridgend home this season.

Dewi Lake, an Ospreys hooker, said, “We will go home with our heads held high.”

“I’m aware that we may not have achieved the results we desired, but this trip has many advantages,” he said.

After a sluggish start to the season following his exploits with the British and Irish Lions in Australia, Lake and flanker Harri Deaves have both excelled in filling in for the absent Jac Morgan.

In Morgan’s absence, Lake impressed, and Deaves, who has made 28 tackles for the Stormers, has excelled in the number seven jersey.

The Ospreys lack forward dominance under former coach Toby Booth, who made a crucial contribution to both South Africa defeats while the referee disapproved of their attacking maul against the Stormers.

Ospreys needed to find top-notch tight-head because they lack front-row resources.

Ospreys will be able to unleash their vastly improved attacking game if they can achieve set-piece parity in some way. The rest of the season will be filled with that challenge.

The scrum also suffered from the strong South African opposition.

The home camp was upset that the Sharks had the angle of their scrummaging that caused Italian referee Fillipo Russo to penalize the home side nine times in that regard.

After replacing tight-head Chris Coleman was yellow-carded for the infringements, the Dragons came to an end with 14 men.

Due to Rodrigo Martinez’s head injury, they also had both starters on the field after Rob Hunt’s return and a 75-minute shift for loose-head prop Wyn Jones.