Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons team news amid changes

Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets are all in European action this weekend

The Welsh rugby team news for this weekend’s European matches

• Ospreys: The Ospreys have named co-captains Sam Parry and Jack Walsh for their EPCR Challenge Cup opener against Connacht at the Brewery Field. The starting front row features a significant milestone as tighthead prop Tom Botha prepares to make his 150th appearance for the club. Coach Mark Jones has rotated his squad, with Ross Moriarty anchoring a dynamic back row from the number eight position. The team has opted for the half-back pairing of Reuben Morgan-Williams and Dan Edwards to control the pace of the game.
• Ospreys team: Walsh, Kasende, Boshoff, Cokanasiga, Hopkins, Edwards, Morgan-Williams; Phillips, Parry, Botha, Smith, Ratti, Davies, Moriarty Reps: Lloyd, Thomas, Henry, Sutton, Evans, Davies, Nagy, Giles

• Dragons RFC: Dragons RFC welcome the return of key Wales international duo Ben Carter and Rio Dyer to the starting line-up for their Challenge Cup clash against USA Perpignan. Head Coach Filo Tiatia has implemented eight total changes, aiming to inject fresh energy into the side following their recent league defeat. The team fields a revamped front row that includes Argentine prop Rodrigo Martinez and Sam Scarfe, who earns his first competitive start for the region at hooker. The backline sees Angus O’Brien switch to fly-half, allowing Cai Evans to shift back to full-back for the European tie.
• Dragons team: Evans, Inisi, Richards, Westwood, Dyer, O’Brien (cc), Williams; Martinez, Scarfe, Yendle, Screech, Carter, Lewis-Hughes, Young, Martin Reps: Austin, Kelleher-Griffiths, Hunt, Langton-Cryer, Keddie, Hope, de Beer, Rosser
• Cardiff Rugby: Cardiff Rugby have made nine changes to their team for the EPCR Challenge Cup opener away to Stade Francais in Paris. The squad features three debutants in the match-day 23, highlighting an effort to refresh the side with promising young talent. Exciting winger Iwan Stephens makes his return from injury in a back-three that also features Mason Grady, who celebrates his 50th appearance for the club. The experienced back-rower Alun Lawrence is named to captain the squad from the number eight position, packing down between Taine Basham and James Botham.
• Cardiff team: Young; Grady, Smit, S Emanuel, Stephens; I Lloyd, Bevan; Barratt, E Lloyd, Wainwright, McNally, Thornton, Botham, Basham, Lawrence Reps: D Hughes, I Emanuel, Sebastian, Nott, Thomas I Davies, Wilde, E Evans.
• Scarlets: The Scarlets are making a much-anticipated return to the Investec Champions Cup, where they open their campaign at home against Bristol Bears. The team enters the fixture with strong momentum, having recently secured an impressive 23-0 URC victory over Glasgow Warriors. The side is expected to benefit from the depth provided by key experienced players, including internationals like Max Douglas, Jake Ball, and Sam Lousi, who are available for selection. The high-stakes Anglo-Welsh contest marks the Scarlets’ re-entry into European club rugby’s top-tier competition after a four-year absence.
• Scarlets team: J Davies; Rogers, James, J Williams, Mee; Costelow, G Davies; Mathias, Elias, Holz, Lousi, Ball, Douglas, Macleod, Anderson Reps: van der Merwe, S O’Connor, H Thomas, Taylor, Davis, Blacker, Hawkins, J Roberts.