Which Welsh rugby teams are competing in Europe?

Ospreys, Cardiff, Scarlets, and Dragons are the four Welsh men's teams competing in European rugby competitions.

What is the Welsh Rugby Union's plan for clubs?

The Welsh Rugby Union intends to reduce the number of professional men's clubs to three.

Can all four Welsh teams make the European knockout rounds?

Yes, for the second time in history, all four Welsh teams have a chance to advance to the knockout stages of their respective European competitions.

Home / Sports / Welsh Rugby Faces Potential Club Cut Amidst European Success

Welsh Rugby Faces Potential Club Cut Amidst European Success

15 Jan

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Summary

Four Welsh men's teams are competing in European rugby this season.
Ospreys and Cardiff have already secured spots in the Challenge Cup last 16.
The Welsh Rugby Union aims to reduce professional men's clubs to three.

Welsh Rugby Faces Potential Club Cut Amidst European Success

This season presents a rare opportunity for four Welsh men's rugby teams to reach the knockout stages of European competitions. As the 2025-26 group stages conclude this weekend, Ospreys and Cardiff have secured their places in the Challenge Cup's last 16, though their final seeding remains undecided.

Scarlets, the only Welsh side in the Champions Cup, face a critical weekend that could see them advance, drop to the Challenge Cup, or be eliminated. Meanwhile, Dragons must defeat Newcastle in their upcoming match to keep their Challenge Cup qualification hopes alive.

This remarkable collective performance, with all four teams potentially reaching the knockouts, has only happened once before in the 2022-23 season. The future structure of Welsh professional rugby is also under discussion, with the Welsh Rugby Union intending to reduce the number of professional men's clubs to three.