Europe may prove to be a lifesaver this time around if it has historically been a remedy for the Welsh regions.
In just two decades of regional rugby, all four made it to the knockout stages in the previous season.
In the Challenge Cup, Dragons and Ospreys join Scarlets, the previous season’s semi-finalists. Cardiff is the only Welsh team participating in the Champions Cup.
However, with reduced teams due to significant financial reductions, what are the chances of a recurrence in 2023–2024?
Andy Moore, a former scrum-half for Wales, participated in the inaugural European Heineken Cup Final in 1996, which saw Toulouse defeat Cardiff—two teams that play on the opening weekend—in extra time.
“All four regions [of the United Rugby Championship] have not had great form,” he stated. Despite being only eleventh, Ospreys are the best Welsh team. But considering all the budget cuts, that’s probably what we anticipated.
“However, Europe provides a chance for the regions to find a new focus and inspiration.
Performances will be everything, maybe even more so than outcomes. You’re competing against the greatest in Europe to find out where you actually stand, so it’s a step up in terms of quality and intensity.”
Champions Cup handbook
Scrum V: Europe in the Balance
The multi-pool format of the Champions and Challenge Cup competitions is back this year.
The 24 teams are divided into four pools of six, and the top four advance to the knockout stages, which take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24 and 25.
Cardiff
Cardiff won the Welsh Shield in the United Rugby Championship (URC), which allowed them to qualify for the Champions Cup. However, sometimes you should be careful what you wish for.
With so many players leaving Wales in the summer, Cardiff’s team appears to be woefully undermanned when facing the top teams in England and France.
After playing Toulouse, the French champions, Cardiff will play Bath and Harlequins, the second and third-place teams in England, respectively, before hosting Racing 92, the current leaders of the Top 14 in Paris.
Taulupe Faletau may make a comeback in the later stages, but Josh Adams is back, and Ellis Jenkins is suspended for the first two games.
“We’ve participated in the Challenge Cup a few times, but in the Champions Cup, you’re competing against the best teams,” head coach Matt Sherrat stated.
“We visit Toulouse and Racing, two of the greatest stadiums and fan bases I’ve ever visited. Racing is a fantastic venue; it resembles a nightclub with a rugby field in the center.
“We’re going to shoot some targets, have fun, and not be afraid to compete as well. Our goal is for our young players to encounter something new and distinct.
“Then our home games against Bath and Harlequins are the type of games Cardiff teams have traditionally got right up for so I’m looking forward to those games.”
Dragons
Dragons lead the URC with just one victory in seven games, but they were successful in the Challenge Cup the previous year and could fool their rivals.
Christmas derbies are quickly approaching, so Europe might be a good opportunity to rotate the team, rest sore bodies, and discover new talent.
Dragons’ French rivals Oyonnax, who recently made a comeback to the Top 14, and Pau, whom they defeated in France the previous season, might have a similar perspective on the competition, as could Sharks and Zebre, who are currently two spots ahead of Dragons in the URC.
Ben Carter is sidelined due to injury, and Taine Basham is suspended, but the play of young center Aneurin Owen and wings Ashton Hewitt and Rio Dyer is encouraging.
“It’s a new competition to get excited about,” Luke Narraway, an assistant coach and former flanker for Gloucester and Perpignan, said.
It provides us with a chance to start over, but we want to strive to return to knockout rugby.
“There are no easy games and we don’t have the luxury of having 50 players in a squad, so we need to develop your youngsters well.”
Ospreys
Last season, Ospreys surprised everyone by defeating English champions Leicester and winning consecutive games against French champions Montpellier, whom they will play again this month.
They will be interested in competing for the Challenge Cup title because they are the top-ranked Welsh team in the URC this year.
Before playing Montpellier and Perpignan, the two teams at the bottom of the Top 14, Toby Booth’s team takes on well-known opponents Benetton and Lions.
“The format of the competition means you have to try and get up and running as quickly as you can,” he stated.
“On the down side, there are fewer games to attempt to advance to the knockout stages, but we accomplished that in the Champions Cup last year against all odds.
“The group is different, the opportunity is different, but our mindset is the same. Let’s take a chance and see where the dice take us. With a formidable squad, we’ll enter the competition and see where it goes.”
Scarlets
Last season, Dwayne Peel found salvation in Europe.
Scarlets were at their best during the Challenge Cup, which revitalized his players after he had only won one of his first nine games in charge.
They made it to the semi-finals by victories over Bayonne, Cheetahs, Brive, and Clermont Auvergne, which saved the otherwise dismal league season.
They have only won two of their first seven games, both against Cardiff, much like they did last season, but they are hoping that Europe will provide them a much-needed break.
Scarlets will travel to France twice, first to Castres and then to face Clermont again. At home, they will aim to defeat Edinburgh and Black Lion, Georgia, who are new to the competition.
While Sam Costellow will be sidelined until the New Year, they may have discovered Wales’ Six Nations fly-half in Ioan Lloyd.
“It has been a tough start to the season but Europe was a great bounce for us last year and we really enjoyed that run,” defense coach Gareth Williams stated.
“The squad is being massively stretched this year, injuries are going to be a factor and we have to look at the squad, but we are committed to winning any game we play.”
