Fight for Wales spots heats up as under-threat regions win

There was western relief after Ospreys and Scarlets got up and running in the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season. The two sides are playing amid uncertainty over their futures under controversial Welsh Rugby Union plans , yet produced the goods on the pitch in round three. Ospreys won an engrossing derby against Dragons at Rodney Parade, inflicting a first defeat of the season on their hosts, while Scarlets sneaked past Benetton thanks to Sam Costelow's late penalty.