Last weekend marked the return of the URC and our website correspondent Darren Powell fills us in on the Welsh side’s progress in the competition.
Cardiff 22-17 Zebre
It all began on Friday night in Cardiff as the home side secured an opening round victory over Zebre.
Full back Cam Winnett opened the scoring through a cross field kick from debutant fly-half Callum Sheedy, who joined from Bristol Bears over the summer. Zebre had previously led 3- 0 before Cardiff opened the score 10 minutes later.
Cardiff had a second try and it was another debut try for winger Iwan Stephens, who joined from Newcastle Falcons over the summer, again assisted by the brilliant Sheedy.
Six minutes later, it was another Cardiff debutant who crossed to open his account for his new side as Dan Thomas, the Welshman who had signed from Bristol Bears over the summer, crossed.
Cardiff led 17-3 at the break. 18 minutes into the second half and it was another Cardiff debutant, this time former Bath player Josh McAnally who crossed for the home side.
Cardiff led 22-3 after 64 minutes. Some quick hands from a line out inside Zebre’s half saw centre Giulio Bertaccini cross over for his first try in Zebre colours.
In the 81st minute of the game number 7 for Zebre, Samuele Locatelli scored for the visitors.
Dragons 23-21 Ospreys
On Saturday we saw the first Welsh derby of the season as The Dragons played host to the Ospreys. Going into this game the Ospreys hadn’t won at Rodney Parade since 2021.
It was 3 – 3 after 20 minutes but then a lovely break by the Ospreys centre Keiran Williams scored the Ospreys’ first try of the new season.
After 26 minutes some nice play saw Harrison Keddie cross for the first try of the season. It was through some lovely hands and a great finish by the Dragons number six. 33 minutes into the game and it was 13-13 between both sides.
It took the Ospreys five minutes into the second half to register the second try of the afternoon Ryan Conbeer, the former Scarlets winger went over for his fourth try in Ospreys colours.
That was Conbeers’ fourth try in Ospreys colours as he had already scored three tries during preseason. In the 79th minute the Ospreys gave away a penalty inside the Dragons half. In the 83rd minute, Luke Yendle crossed to score the winning try and the conversion was good.
The Dragons had finally won an opening league fixture for the first time since 2013.
Benetton 20-20 Scarlets
The last game of Saturday saw Benetton take on the Scarlets and after a scrappy opening 21 minutes, we saw Benetton score the first try the game winger Onisi Ratava.
Thirty minutes in both teams were still getting a feel for the game with the Scarlets high defensive line causing Benetton some problems. Rhyno Smith found a gap in the Scarlets defence after a lovely break by the forward and it was Smith who finished off in the wide channel to make it 12-0 after 32 minutes.
Former Bristol scrum-half Andy Uren, was marshalling the forwards Pack well when it came to the red zone he brought his experience to this Italian side.
Just before the break, 19-year-old Max Page who was making a Scarlets debut fended off Smith and crossed for the Scarlets. Halftime score Benetton 12 Scarlets 7.
Benetton struck the first points of the second half with a penalty to make it 15-7 to the home side. It took the Scarlets 53 minutes to score their first try of the game when Jarrod Taylor went over from a driving line out.
It was then Ioan Lloyd who added a long rage penalty to put Scarlets ahead for the first time during the game at 17-15.
A nice line break by scrum-half Gareth Davies preceeded a high tackle on the Welsh international which saw Lloyd kick another three points for the Scarlets.
However, Ratava scored his second try of the game punishing tired bodies. The conversion was unsuccessful and it finished with 20 points each.
Not many teams come away from Benetton these days without any points but Scarlets held on for famous draw in Italy.
Written by Darren Powell
