The new United Rugby Championship season is fast approaching, with Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets all reshaping their squads during the summer. Each of Wales' four professional clubs have made a number of key signings ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, while numerous players have also left for pastures new. Here, we assess the strongest matchday 23 each side can field this season.
Looking at the signings and squads, there's an argument the two at-risk Welsh teams, Scarlets and Ospreys, have the strongest squads on paper.
Cardiff
Corniel van Zyl's side were the best performing Welsh club last season, finishing sixth in the United Rugby Championship before losing to the Stormers in Cape Town at the quarter-final stage. Cardiff have a dangerous back-line that is capable of scoring tries against the best defences. The return of Jarrod Evans from Harlequins will put pressure on Callum Sheedy for the number 10 shirt.
Sheedy enjoyed a fine 2025/26 season, recapturing the form he showed at his Bristol Bears peak. Cardiff have recruited Namibian centre Le Roux Malan but Steffan Emanuel has long been viewed as an outstanding talent. The Wales U20s centre attended one of Steve Tandy's alignment camps this summer while there are those working within the game who view the 20-year-old as a bolter for the Rugby World Cup squad next year.
A back-three of Cameron Winnett, Jacob Beetham and Mason Grady can be very effective, while Tom Bowen will continue to get game time this season. The success of Cardiff's season will depend on how the front-five goes and WalesOnline understands the club remain on the lookout for a second-row.
Experienced former Australia international Scott Sio comes on board from Exeter Chiefs and he will provide competition at loosehead. Expect Rhys Barratt to continue as first choice with Sio on the bench, while Danny Southworth is also at the club.
The return of Wales lock Teddy Williams will feel like a new signing, while Josh McNally has been a revelation since joining the club from Bath. Versatile new signing Semisi Paea can fill any role in the back five of the scrum, making him an ideal impact option among the replacements.
Much will depend on whether Taulupe Faletau can stay fit, but if he does, it will be difficult to leave the Wales great out of the back row. Wales pair James Botham and Alex Mann will be regulars while Taine Basham and Alun Lawrence will also get significant game time.
Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Jacob Beetham, Steffan Emanuel, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Rhys Barratt, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Scott Sio, Javan Sebastian, Semisi Paea, Taine Basham, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Ioan Lloyd.
Dragons
The Dragons have made a handful of new signings for the 2026/27 season but they have lost Wales star Aaron Wainwright who has signed for Leicester Tigers. Filo Tiatia has signed Blues and Northland No 8 Terrell Peita as his replacement and he will be a key player for the Dragons this season.
It is largely the same front-five and there is some bite to it. South African tighthead Robert Hunt was outstanding last season before a hamstring injury suffered in February kept the 29-year-old out for the rest of the season. Expect Hunt to be first choice, with Wales international Dillon Lewis on the bench and Chris Coleman also in the mix.
Argentinian Rodrigo Martinez is likely to start at loosehead when everyone is fit but Wyn Jones and former Wales U20s prop Jordan Morris will be nipping at his heels. There'll be a three-way fight at hooker but Brodie Coghlan could well be first choice with the fit again Elliot Dee on the bench, while Ollie Burrows impressed last season.
At lock Ben Carter will yet again be a key player, while Levi Douglas adds some much needed power to the second-row. This should also be a big season for former Wales U20s captain Ryan Woodman while Harry Beddall, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Harrison Keddie are also options in the backrow.
The standout signing of the summer was Hurricanes scrum-half Ere Enari, whose blend of experience and attacking flair should prove a major asset. He is unlikely to have things all his own way, however. Che Hope finished last season in impressive form and, if he can maintain that trajectory, a first Wales cap may not be far away, while Rhodri Williams and Morgan Lloyd are also in the mix.
South African outside-half Tinus de Beer will also be a key player while the centre partnership of Aneurin Owen and Fine Inisi has some punch to it. Angus O'Brien enjoyed a fine season in 2025/26, as did Rio Dyer, while new signing Anzelo Anzelo Tuitavuki from Colomiers will also be keen to make a big impact.
Dragons: Angus O'Brien; Anzelo Tuitavuki, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer; Tinus de Beer, Ere Enari; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Robert Hunt, Levi Douglas, Ben Carter, Ryan Woodman, Harry Beddall, Terrell Peita. Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harrison Keddie, Che Hope, Fetuli Paea.
Ospreys
Despite losing Wales stars Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to Gloucester the Ospreys have recruited very well. When Mark Jones can get his best side on the park, the Ospreys are the strongest of the four Welsh sides in my opinion. Jack Walsh's move to Montauban was a blow but his fellow Australian Lawson Creighton looks a handy signing and should figure heavily.
The capture of Wales international Tom Rogers from arch-rivals Scarlets ranks among the club's most significant summer signings. The 27-year-old's aerial excellence and clinical finishing should add a new dimension to the Ospreys' back three. It will also be intriguing to see how often he is deployed at full-back rather than on the wing.
Arguably the biggest statement signing, however, is the arrival of Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi from Waikato Chiefs. He brings genuine star quality to the Ospreys backline, with his explosive power, distribution and ability to unlock defences marking him out as a potentially game-changing addition. The 31-year-old can play either 12 or 13 and the Ospreys have some quality options with Keiran Williams and Owen Watkin also at the club.
Expect Kieran Hardy and Dan Edwards to be the first choice halfbacks although scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams will also get plenty of game time. The Ospreys still have a relatively strong pack. Lake is a big loss but Sam Parry and Lewis Lloyd are solid players.
It is also a big season for tighthead prop Ben Warren who made his Wales debut in the summer. He will have to be a regular in the Ospreys side if he wants to retain his position in the national squad next season, with Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin and Keiron Assiratti set to return. Rhys Davies and Ryan Smith is a strong second-row partnership while there are plenty of options in the backrow even without Morgan.
When push comes to shove they may go for the physicality of Ross Moriarty at blindside flanker but it will be interesting to see where they play former Wallabies captain Liam Wright. The 28-year-old could become eligible to represent Wales by the next World Cup courtesy of his Pembroke-born grandfather. A backrow of Moriarty, Wright and Morgan Morris or Morgan Morse is a serious proposition.
Ospreys: Lawson Creighton; Tom Rogers, Lalakai Foketi, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Ben Warren, Rhys Davies, Ryan Smith, James Ratti, Ross Moriarty, Liam Wright, Morgan Morris. Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Cam Jones, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Harri Wilde, Dan John.
Scarlets
There has been a lot of change at Parc y Scarlets with Nigel Davies appointed as director of rugby on a permanent basis while there has also been a steady turnover of players. Arguably the strongest area of side is the backrow and if everybody is fit Davies has some big selection calls to make.
The signing of former All Blacks loose forward Cullen Grace from the Crusaders is by the far the standout signing the Scarlets have made this summer. Grace is a high-calibre operator who would almost certainly have added to his lone All Blacks cap but for a succession of injuries. The 26-year-old, who can also provide cover at lock, is outstanding over the ball and an explosive carrier, equally effective in the tight or the wider channels. His handling skills only add to an already impressive all-round game.
Fellow New Zealander Fletcher Anderson looks certain to start, but when Grace finally arrives in Llanelli after the conclusion of the NPC in October, the Scarlets are likely to face a selection dilemma. Either Taine Plumtree or club captain Josh Macleod may have to make way for the gifted back-rower.
The success or otherwise of the Scarlets' season will depend on how the front-five can hold up under pressure. Experienced Tonga international Sam Lousi will be a key player at lock but who partners the 35-year-old is wide open. New signings Harvey Cuckson and South African Alex Groves will likely start the season as first choice but New Zealander Tom Allen will arrive at the conclusion of the NPC. But by the end of the season it would not be a surprise to see abrasive Wales U20s lock Will Evans around the strongest 23.
Kemsley Mathias and Corey Domachowski appear set to battle for the loosehead prop jersey at the start of the season, although highly rated youngster Josh Morse has the potential to overtake them both before long. The Scarlets may soon add another tighthead but they will be hoping Australian Archer Holz can stay fit this season.
Behind the scrum there will be an onus on Archie Hughes or Dane Blacker to nail down the number nine jersey although Gareth Davies' experience will come in handy from the bench. Sam Costelow remains the clear first-choice fly-half, with Gareth Anscombe's experience providing valuable depth and game management from the bench. Promising youngster Carwyn Leggatt-Jones should also feature regularly as the season unfolds.
Davies faces some difficult decisions in midfield. Joe Hawkins and Eddie James established themselves as Wales' preferred centre partnership for much of last season, but there is a strong case for James at inside centre. Johnny Williams, meanwhile, offers a different dimension, with his ability to consistently win the gainline and generate post-contact metres proving a valuable weapon for the Scarlets. Joe Roberts is also firmly in contention.
In the back three, Macs Page appears the leading candidate to fill the void left by Tom Rogers, with Ellis Mee expected to feature at full-back.
Scarlets: Ellis Mee; Blair Murray, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Macs Page; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Archer Holz, Sam Lousi, Harvey Cuckson, Cullen Grace, Josh Macleod, Fletcher Anderson. Replacements: John McKee, Corey Domachowski, Harri O'Connor, Alex Groves, Taine Plumtree, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Joe Hawkins.
