Boxing Day Welsh derbies see Ospreys win at Scarlets and Cardiff hold on to beat Dragons at home in the URC; Reports continue to circulate the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) intends to cut one region for next season; Ospreys losing Dewi Lake and Jack Morgan to Gloucester for next season
Last Updated: 26/12/25 9:11pm
Outgoing Ospreys captain Dewi Lake scored a try as they picked up derby victory at Scarlets amid a stressful time for Welsh regional rugby
As reports continue to circulate the Welsh Rugby Union intend to cut one of their four regions from the professional game, Ospreys and Cardiff posted Boxing Day derby victories over Scarlets and Dragons.
Ospreys – who are losing key players Dewi Lake and Jack Morgan to Gloucester next season – withstood a late fightback from Scarlets to claim a hard-fought 26-19 victory in the URC at Parc y Scarlets, while Cardiff held on to beat the Dragons.The visitors led 21-7 as the final 10 minutes neared but Joe Roberts’ second try and Jarrod Taylor’s late score, sandwiched between Iestyn Hopkins touching down for Ospreys, made it a close contest. Despite being down to 14 when Keiran Williams was sin-binned, it was Ospreys who hit the front first thanks to Owen Watkin who went over under the posts before Lake put them 14-0 ahead just before the half hour.Roberts narrowed the deficit to 14-7 before half-time when the wing dotted down in the corner but Kieran Hardy restored Ospreys’ 14-point cushion in the 63rd minute. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options Keelan Giles was yellow carded as Ospreys were again reduced to 14 players and Scarlets this time capitalised with Roberts once more diving over in the corner.But Hopkins’ score three minutes from time sealed a bonus-point derby victory for Ospreys, with Taylor’s converted try at least securing a losing bonus point for Scarlets.Cardiff hold on to edge out derby rivals DragonsCardiff bounced back from last week’s defeat to Scarlets by clinging on to claim a 22-19 victory over Dragons at the Arms Park. Twitter …
2025-12-26 15:10:00
