URC: New Year’s Day derbies can shape Welsh play-off hopes

Dragons endured a nightmare 2025 that was winless until they beat Lyon in the Challenge Cup on 14 December, which was followed by a stunning URC victory against Connacht six days later.

Filo Tiatia’s men finished bottom of the URC last season, but resilient recent displays have given reason for optimism.

Dragons are currently 15th, but could go 10th with victory against Scarlets.

Not only do they want to avoid propping up the pile this season, they would love to avoid being Wales’ worst side for the first time since 2019-20.

Head coach Tiatia believes their battling display at Cardiff provided encouragement.

“There were some positives, and we stayed in the fight to try and win it at the end,” he said.

“We were maybe five or 10 % off in terms of some physicality parts of game, but we have lots to take forward into Scarlets.”

Scarlets are currently bottom of the URC, although they do have a game in hand, and recent progress was brought to a dramatic halt against Ospreys.

“The games are coming thick and fast,” said head coach Dwayne Peel, whose side have Champions Cup fixtures against Pau and Northampton on the horizon.

“The Dragons is another important game and another tough game for us. We have to make sure we go to Rodney Parade with a spark and full of energy.”

Like Ospreys, a New Year’s Day win would dramatically change the picture in the URC and give some hope of repeating last season’s charge to the top eight.