Dragons RFC PROFILE

Shane Williams and Tom Shanklin have both backed the Ospreys to be the highest finishing Welsh team in the United Rugby Championship this season, as Simon Thomas reports.

Mackenzie Martin has no doubts that the Dragons can find space in their back row for both him and Aaron Wainwright this season.

The Welsh Rugby Union’s plan for just two elite men’s teams already looks dead in the water after it was savaged by one of their own partner regions.

The Dragons have been quick off the mark in rebuilding their squad after a dismal season, with new recruit Fetuli Paea adding extra spice.

Cai Evans had made the breakthrough with two caps for Wales in 2023-24, but his last campaign was a nightmare.

It’s been another desperate season for the Dragons, but at least a clash against the Ospreys will bring back one good memory.

Richard Whiffin has named his Wales U20 men’s side to take on France U20 in Tuesday’s third round of Pool A clashes in the U20 World Championship at Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town (UK 3.30pm). Captain Ryan Woodman along with second row Jonny Green and back row Morgan Morse are the only players to be making a third consecutive starting appearance in the showpiece tournament.

It was probably fitting that the first team drawn out of the hat for the 30th anniversary Investec Champions Cup tournament next season was that of the reigning champions Stade Toulousain – who won the first title in Cardiff in 1996. The French giants will be hot favourites once again to add to their six titles, the first of which was secured at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park when they beat Cardiff after extra-time.

Ryan Woodman returns to captain Wales in their opening match at the U20 World Championship against New Zealand on Saturday. Having missed the Six Nations through injury, the Dragons back row star has been selected by coach Richard Whiffin, to lead a side with two uncapped players named on the bench, Cardiff centre Steffan Emanuel and Scarlets scrum half Lucca Setaro.

Wales are willing to appoint a non-Welshman as manager for the first time in 25 years. The Football Association of Wales has detailed the criteria required to succeed Rob Page after ending his three-and-a-half-year reign last week and invited “expressions of interest” from potential candidates.

Toby Booth says his Ospreys will be taking on the best team in the URC when they face Munster at Limerick’s Thomond Park in Friday’s opening quarter-final. Booth’s side defied the odds to secure the final spot in the play-offs with a 33-29 bonus point victory over Cardiff on Judgement Day, after a succession of other results had gone their way over the weekend.

It’s Judgement Day for the Ospreys in more ways than one on Saturday and the equation is simple, yet also complicated. Their own objective is clear. To have any chance of making the URC play-offs, they have to secure a bonus point victory against Cardiff at the Cardiff City Stadium in the second game of the double-header.