Five things we learned as Welsh pair nilled in URC

It was a weekend of stark contrast for the Welsh regions in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

While Cardiff and Ospreys enjoyed hard-fought victories, Scarlets and Dragons suffered the humiliation of failing to score a single point.

The timing could not have been worse for such failure, just days after the WRU executive delivered its findings from the consultation - around cutting regions - to the union's board before a final decision later this month.

It was the first time Scarlets had failed to score in a league match since 2007 while the Rodney Parade club fired a blank for the first time since 2022.

BBC Sport Wales looks at five talking points from round three of the URC.

Cardiff beat Connacht 14-8 in a nervy fixture at the Arms Park thanks to a double by Tom Bowen, who also went close on two more occasions.

The 19-year-old wing has scored five tries in three games already this season to throw his name into the mix for Wales' autumn campaign.

"The way he goes about his business, I've got no real concerns or worries about that [talk] ," said Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl.

"He is down to earth and keeps working to get better. I don't know what Wales will do and who is available but he has a bright future ahead of him."

Cardiff have scored 11 tries this season and the back three have provided seven of them - profiting from an ambitious approach.

Wales boss Steve Tandy was a visible figure this weekend having been in Llanelli on Friday night, Bridgend on Saturday afternoon and Cardiff on Saturday night to watch international candidates.

Tandy is set to name his first squad for the autumn international after the next round URC games but is already having to deal with the inevitable injuries.

Cardiff lock Teddy Williams, a starter for Wales in Japan during the summer, suffered a serious ankle injury and is set for a lengthy lay-off.

In-form scrum-half Kieran Hardy was replaced in the first half for the Ospreys, though head coach Mark Jones calmed fears by declaring it was just a nasty blow to the ribs.

Ospreys captain Jac Morgan has missed the opening three games of the season with a calf issue though Jones hopes to see the Wales flanker in action this month.

"We don't want to rush Jac back, we want to make sure he's right, happy with how he feels and actually in good condition," said the Ospreys head coach.

Dragons hooker Elliot Dee hasn't played since the opening weekend of the season and Cardiff wing Josh Adams missed the Connacht game because of a head injury.

Louis Rees-Zammit's potential Wales return looks uncertain after Bristol boss Pat Lam said he was "hopeful" the injured wing, who is still in a moon boot, would feature again before the autumn.

Along with Connacht, Edinburgh and Ulster, Scarlets have played just two games compared to three by the other 12 in the URC - but they are the worst performers so far.

Outclassed by Munster in round one, they were comprehensively outmuscled 34-0 by Stormers at Parc y Scarlets.

There is mitigation as forwards Tristan Davies and Max Douglas joined the likes of forwards Jake Ball, Sam Lousi, Jac Price and Will Evans on the injury list.

insists there is no crisis but their fixtures do not get any easier as they face a South African double-header against Lions in Johannesburg and then Sharks in Durban.

Last season, Scarlets won 32-19 at Lions and then lost 12-3 at Sharks, but returning with anything would be a bonus this time around given how they have played in a pair of home fixtures.

Johnny Williams spoke of opposition being frightened of Scarlets' all-international backline, but they need the ball to show what they can do.

Glasgow always looked likely to be a pointless trip for Dragons but it proved to be literally that with an alarming 49-0 defeat..

Head coach Filo Tiatia made 12 changes before a six-day turnaround for a home derby against Cardiff and would have wanted some players to put their hands up.

The scoreboard may have been harsh but they shipped seven tries and failed to take their chances.

There were still some flashes - with fly-half Tinus de Beer once again showing up well off the bench - but they need a more complete performance against Cardiff to end a 19-game losing streak against their neighbours.

Big guns such as Aaron Wainwright, Ben Carter, Rhodri Williams, Wyn Jones and Robert Hunt will return but there are midfield concerns.

Harri Ackerman limped off and with Fetuli Paea out until December, Dragons must hope Joe Westwood can return from a head injury to fill the gap.

Ospreys impressed on their first outing at their temporary home in Bridgend as they swept aside Zebre Parma with a 24-0 convincing win.

Mark Jones' side will be based at the Brewery Field this season while St Helen's in Swansea is being redeveloped and even a small but noisy crowd of 4,519 created an arguably better atmosphere than the often empty stands of Swansea.com Stadium.

"I grew up here so I love playing here," said Bridgend-born Dewi Lake, who captained Ospreys.

"We have had some very memorable wins here over the last couple of years and this one certainly goes up there.

"To nil a team like Zebre, who had started the season as quickly as they had, is excellent for us."

Wales forward James Ratti, one of the try-scorers, says the players are enjoying their new surroundings.

"The atmosphere was great, it's becoming a little mini cauldron for us," he said.

"We have the fans right on top of us and now it's always a good experience playing here."