URC: Cardiff-Osprey play-offs, Dragons-Scarlets battle

The Dragons and Scarlets are not in the playoff lineup, but they are in a duel.

It has been an encouraging campaign for the Rodney Parade club after they had a shock time in 2024-25, winning just one league game as they finished last for the first time.

The Dragons’ win column remains disappointing, with just two bonus-point wins against Connacht and Scarlets, but they have drawn three games that could have been won from late kicks.

Velu Tiatia’s men would have been in contention for a top eight spot and would be keen to finish the campaign strong.

They are eight points ahead of bottom club Zebre, while Benetton, Edinburgh and the Sharks are within striking distance before this weekend.

However, the obvious aim should be to avoid being Wales’ worst team for the first time since 2020, with Scarlets currently four points behind.

The Dragons have been the bottom Welsh team in 17 of their 22 seasons, while the Scarlets have only finished bottom once, in 2010.

Nigel Davies was head coach on that occasion and returned to Llanelli in January over Dwayne Bell as interim Director of Rugby.

The Scarlets are trying to adjust their structure for next season, but can’t stop at URC and have three derbies to play for.

They are expected to edge out the Dragons, at least temporarily, with a win at home to Zebre on Friday evening.

Tiatia’s side have a tough pair of games in South Africa against the Stormers and Lions, so that could haunt them when they return to URC after attempting to shock Stade Francais in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

It could be a penalty shootout for Llanelli to avoid Welsh Wooden Spoon in the final round on May 16 when Dragons visit Parc y Scarlets.

The Dragons are also aiming to end their league struggles on the road, and a trip to the Zebre is certainly their target goal.

They have not enjoyed any away success at URC since beating Scarlets in April 2022, while their last league win outside Wales was in Connacht in October 2021.

URC Dragons’ remaining matches: Stormers (away), Lions (away), Bulls (away), Zippers (away), Edinburgh (away), Scarlets (away).

Remaining URC combinations for Scarlets: Zebrey (home), Leinster (away), Cardiff (home), Bulls (home), Ospreys (away), Dragons (home).