With little over a week to go until the URC gets under way, it’s time to examine how the teams are shaping up for the new season.
Here, we take a look at the four sides who make up the Welsh Shield – their new signings, opening fixtures and targets for the forthcoming campaign.
Director of rugby: Dai Young
Home ground: Cardiff Arms Park
URC 2021-22: 14th
Welsh Shield 2021-22: 3rd
New signings: Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Thomas Young (Wasps), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lopeti Timani (Toulon), Joe Peard (Dragons), Adam Williams (Dragons)
Opening matches: Munster (h), Glasgow Warriors (a), Emirates Lions (h)
Cardiff endured a disappointing campaign last season, with their 14th-place finish in the overall table falling short of expectations. They have recruited well, with the additions of Wales stars Faletau and Liam Williams in particular catching the eye, and will hope to at least trouble the top end of the Welsh Shield this time around. Munster are first up at the Arms Park, with Cardiff having last won that fixture in 2018.
Director of rugby: Dean Ryan
Home ground: Rodney Parade
URC 2021-22: 15th
Welsh Shield 2021-22: 4th
New signings: Bradley Roberts (Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (Clermont Auvergne), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Sean Lonsdale (Exeter Chiefs), Max Clark (Bath), George Nott (London Irish), Sio Tomkinson (Highlanders), Angus O’Brien (Scarlets), Lewis Jones (Cardiff), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Nathan Evans (Cardiff)
Opening matches: Edinburgh (a), Munster (h), Cell C Sharks (h)
It has been all change at the Dragons this season. The Newport outfit will now be known as ‘Dragons RFC’ – moving on from the ‘Dragons Rugby’ name previously used by the Gwent region – as they bid to foster more of a club identity while a new badge and modified team colours will also be in evidence this term. Dai Flanagan has come in as head coach from the Scarlets, working under director of rugby Dean Ryan. The Dragons have also been active in the transfer market, with Wales internationals Roberts and Rob Evans among those arriving, along with former Munster fly-half Hanrahan.
Head coach: Toby Booth
Home ground: Swansea.com Stadium
URC 2021-22: 9th
Welsh Shield 2021-22: 1st
New signings: Jack Walsh (Exeter Chiefs)
Opening matches: Scarlets (a), Emirates Lions (h), Glasgow Warriors (h)
The Ospreys pipped the Scarlets to the Welsh Shield’s Heineken Champions Cup qualifying spot last season, although they missed out on a place in the play-offs. There will be a common goal among the Welsh regions this season to right that wrong and ensure some Welsh representation in the Final Eight and the Ospreys will fancy themselves as being well-equipped to achieve that. Florida-born fly-half Walsh is the Swansea outfit’s only signing of the summer while they face a derby clash with the Scarlets in Llanelli in their opening fixture.
Head coach: Dwayne Peel
Home ground: Parc y Scarlets
URC 2021-22: 10th
Welsh Shield 2021-22: 2nd
New signings: Vaea Fifita (Wasps)
Opening matches: Ospreys (h), Ulster (h), Benetton (a)
The Scarlets will have an early chance to steal a march on the Ospreys when they host their local rivals in Round 1, having narrowly missed out on top spot in the Welsh Shield to Toby Booth’s side last season. Fifita is the only man to have come through the door over the summer, although as an 11-cap All Black he promises to bring plenty of quality to the Scarlets pack following his arrival from Wasps.
