There may not have been any Welsh sides in action this weekend, but there was no shortage of Welsh interest across the rugby world. The Gallagher Premiership semi-finals provided the standout drama, while several players set to arrive at Welsh clubs this summer featured in the Super Rugby Pacific last four. With plenty at stake on both sides of the globe, here are this week's winners and losers.
Winners
Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza
Both Wales internationals were outstanding as Exeter Chiefs claimed a famous 27-26 win over Bath at the Rec to book a trip to Twickenham for the Gallagher Premiership final. Tshiunza was especially prominent, scoring a sensational individual try from 45 metres out which saw the athletic forward sidestep Santiago Carreras on his way to the line. The 24-year-old has been out of the Wales picture since 2024 but has found form with Exeter and also put in 14 tackles at the Rec. As always, Jenkins put in the hard unseen graft which helped lay the foundations of this stunning result for Rob Baxter's men.
Lalakai Foketi
The former Wallabies centre gave Ospreys fans a taste of what to expect when he joins the Welsh club next season. Foketi played a pivotal role for the Chiefs as they thrashed the Crusaders 49-12 to set up a Super Rugby Pacific final against the Hurricanes in Wellington next weekend. The nine-times-capped Wallabies centre tore the Crusaders midfield to shreds at times, with his explosive pace and vision culminating in three try assists - which is the joint-most from any centre in a Super Rugby game since 2020. Ospreys head coach Mark Jones has described the signing of Foketi as a game changer for the Welsh club, and this is exactly the calibre of overseas player all four professional Welsh clubs should be signing.
Ereatara Enari
The new Dragons signing made a huge impact as a second-half replacement as the Hurricanes ran riot against the Blues to claim an impressive 57-21 victory in the semi-final of Super Rugby Pacific. Explosive scrum-half Enari was a huge threat with ball in hand and claimed a vital try, while his service and box kicking were also on point. The 29-year-old Samoa international is a quality signing for the Dragons and a big statement of intent. Filo Tiatia has significant strength in depth at scrum-half with Enari, Wales international Rhodri Williams, and rising star Che Hope.
Ospreys
Just a couple of months ago, the future looked very bleak for the Ospreys. Their owners Y11 Sports & Media looked odds on to buy Cardiff, with Swansea Council adamant it would have resulted in the Ospreys turning into a Super Rygbi Cymru outfit. But a lot can change in a matter of weeks, with Y11 no longer buying Cardiff and the first phase of the St Helen's redevelopment going ahead. The Ospreys look in a far stronger position. In addition to the off-field stuff, the Ospreys' recruitment has been impressive all things considered. Mark Jones has succeeded in persuading Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi to join the club, while former Australia captain Liam Wright will also be an Osprey next season. The club have also signed former Wales U20s star Dan John from Exeter Chiefs, while they have been linked with Australian utility back Lawson Creighton from the Waratahs.
Losers
Johnny McNicholl
The former Wales international has enjoyed a stellar season for the Crusaders, but he found himself on the wrong end of a 49-12 hiding against the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final last weekend. McNicholl and the Crusaders' defence found it tough going against a Chiefs side who ran riot in Hamilton. The Chiefs ran in seven tries as the former champions got cut to shreds out wide.
Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith
Friday night's Gallagher Premiership semi-final between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers at Franklin's Gardens was one for the ages. In what was a thrilling contest, Northampton came out on top to claim a 45-31 victory over their East Midlands rivals. Neither Smith nor Reffell played badly, but Northampton had too much. Backrower Reffell struggled to slow down the speed of Northampton's ruck ball, although he did win a turnover penalty in the second half.
Tomas Francis
The experienced Wales tighthead was named in the starting XV for Provence Rugby's promotion play-off against Perpignan on Sunday, with a place in next season's Top 14 at stake. However, it was Perpignan who secured their top-flight status with a convincing 47-24 victory at Stade Maurice David. Provence made an encouraging start, racing into a 10-0 lead, but were ultimately overwhelmed by Perpignan's power and attacking quality. It proved a difficult evening for Francis, with Provence struggling to gain a foothold at scrum time and repeatedly finding themselves on the back foot. The defeat means Provence will remain in the PRO D2 next season, while Francis is set for a return to the Gallagher Premiership after agreeing to a move to Sale Sharks.
