State of play for Wales' clubs before Six Nations

As Wales prepare to end their Six Nations drought, Welsh clubs have a chance to take stock and assess their fortunes in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Despite a tumultuous season dominated by off-field events, all four regions head into the international break with a degree of positivity.

Cardiff and Ospreys are in the play-off spots, perennial whipping boys Dragons are on the up and Scarlets appear to be in shape to climb the table after a terrible start.

So with 11 of the 18 regular rounds of matches complete, BBC Sport Wales assess where each of the four regions stand.

Things would be looking rosy at Ospreys were it not for their off-field troubles.

Mark Jones' side are unbeaten in their last four games and have climbed to eighth in what appears a six-team scrap for the final two play-off places.

Ospreys left it late against Dragons in another Brewery Field thriller hot on the heels of their breathless draw with Lions.

They have taken 17 points from those last four games and are in a position to push for the run-in with the bonus of not having to travel to South Africa.

"We've set ourselves up pretty well," said Jones, who invited Ospreys legends into the changing room to share a beer with the current crop.

"If you had said in pre-season we would be where we are now then we would have taken that when you look at the strength of the league.

"There are two Welsh teams in the top eight and that's pretty good – 25% of the teams is a good advert for our game in general. We're competing hard."

They remain in Europe and while the URC Welsh Shield is small consideration, they lead the way thanks to three derby wins and a draw at Rodney Parade.

Cardiff suffered a defeat by Ulster in Belfast but fought for a losing bonus point as they continue to be URC accumulators.

Corniel van Zyl's side have claimed match points from all 11 league fixtures, including seven wins, and know every point counts having missed out on the play-offs by a single point in 2024-25.

"The boys just wanted to fight for the jersey. Ultimately though just a few small things puts us on the wrong side of the scoreboard," said Van Zyl, whose team are 12 points ahead of ninth-placed Sharks.

"In the bigger picture of it, the losing bonus point is definitely going to make a difference.

"It's a tough place to come, they're playing very well, but the boys gave it a good shot."

Cardiff host Leinster during the Six Nations, one of only three remaining fixtures at the Arms Park.

Dragons take a Six Nations break while pondering what might have been.

They picked up losing bonuses after late drama against Munster and Ospreys but will feel they should have had two wins, which would have put them joint ninth.

Add in early home draws against Sharks and Ospreys and this season could have looked even more promising.

The early loss of injured props Wyn Jones and Rob Hunt proved to crucial at the Brewery Field, despite an impressive effort by novice loose-head Jordan Morris.

A yellow card for tight-head Cebo Dlamini and uncontested scrums meant they finished with 13 men, creating space for Keelan Giles' winner.

But Dragons are undoubtedly improving under Filo Tiatia after just one win all last season.

"We are heading in the right direction and we are a team that is scrapping for each other with a tougher edge," said Tiatia.

In time, he might be able to take comfort from the words of relieved Ospreys.

"That is probably one of the best Dragons teams that I have seen for years," said Wales prop Gareth Thomas.

Head coach Jones added: "The Dragons have been incredible. They beat Scarlets with a bonus and went to Munster and could have won.

"They smashed Connacht at Rodney Parade and have had some good results in Europe. That's a good side that we beat."

Dragons have successfully changed their perception in the middle block but will be frustrated that their URC away drought continues.

They have not won on the road since victory at Scarlets in April 2022 and their remaining fixtures pit them against Stormers and Lions in South Africa, bottom club Zebre in Parma and a final fixture in Llanelli.

It was hard to make out much in the Treviso fog on Friday but it is clear that Scarlets are on the up.

After a terrible first half of the campaign, the Llanelli club have put in three strong displays since Nigel Davies returned.

They gave Northampton a scare in the Champions Cup, stunned Ulster and secured a hard-earned draw at Benetton.

It could have been even better and Scarlets would have gone in front had teenage fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones not missed a routine conversion with five minutes to go, appearing to be a little rushed by the shot clock.

Nonetheless, the novice playmaker showed signs of his promise ahead of the Under-20 Six Nations with a delightful pass for wing Tomi Lewis' try and neat work to put Macs Page over.

"It's a difficult place to come for a first full game," said interim director of rugby Davies, who was without Wales internationals Sam Costelow and Joe Hawkins.

"That was a real test for him and he will learn a tremendous amount from that."

Strong-running New Zealander Fletcher Anderson has been at the heart of Scarlets' efforts since arriving in the autumn.

"The Champions Cup was a good period for us playing against some quality sides, having a challenge like that forces you to lift your game and we have done that," said the 23-year-old number eight.

"We are not far off and we are trending upwards for sure. There have been some positive changes in the last few weeks."

Scarlets get a chance to strengthen their position during the Six Nations when they travel to Edinburgh and Connacht.

They appear to have given themselves too much to do if they are to repeat last season's charge into the play-offs but they will be desperate to avoid being Wales' bottom team.