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There were highs and lows as three Welsh teams lost in Europe and the Ospreys pulled off a remarkable comeback
The opening weekend of European competition was a largely disappointing one from a Welsh perspective, with the Ospreys the only team to record a win after a stunning comeback against Connacht in Bridgend.
Elsewhere, the Scarlets lost narrowly to Bristol, Cardiff crumbled in the second-half against Stade Francais after a strong opening half and the Dragons were put to the sword by a Perpignan team that had lost 11 straight matches.
Here are the winners and losers.
WINNERS
Evan Lloyd
The young Welsh hooker produced perhaps the best performance of his senior career so far in the European Challenge Cup match against Stade Francais. Lloyd was identified by Warren Gatland as a player with all the tools to play international rugby some time ago, despite struggling to nail down a starting spot for Cardiff.
While he’s still certainly raw, all the physical attributes that have seen him earmarked as a star of the future came to the fore on Saturday. He made 11 carries, 14 tackles and two turnovers in a barnstorming display that drew great praise from fans and pundits.
Lloyd demonstrated his power, footwork and high skill level throughout in a really encouraging performance.
The 23-year-old found himself down the pecking order during the autumn internationals after initially being left out of the squad in favour of club team-mate Liam Belcher, but will be hoping to maintain this sort of form to earn a Six Nations call-up in the New Year.
Matty Young
Lloyd wasn’t the only youngster to make an impression for Cardiff on Saturday, with debutant full-back Matty Young providing a glimpse of his potential in a fine debut.
Young produced a great fend and offload after some fine footwork to set up Iwan Stephens for a first-half try and then grabbed a score of his own in an a hugely impressive first start.
The Wales Under-20s international now looks set for more opportunities for the main Cardiff Rugby side after being named Cardiff RFC’s academy player of the year last term.
Louis Rees-Zammit
The Wales superstar scored arguably the least convincing try of his career against the Scarlets, but he proved to be the match-winner as the English side secured a narrow 17-16 victory.
Rees-Zammit slipped moments before bundling his way over the line in the decisive moment that put Bristol in front before being booed by the home crowd when his name was announced as the try scorer. The Wales player was seen kicking the turf and shaking his head in frustration after almost bungling the opportunity.
He had the last laugh, though, as Bristol came through in the end.
“He’s shaking his head but he has scored it,” said Topsy Ojo in commentary. “And they all count, no matter how you finish them… is there any need for that? [the booing from Scarlets fans].”
Ryan Smith
It was some comeback from the Ospreys to overturn a 21-point deficit to beat Connacht 24-21 and their new signing Ryan Smith was at the heart of it.
Smith is really starting to hit his stride after being injured at the start of the season and he scored a crucial try that set the Ospreys up for a miracle comeback win.
The giant Aussie, who was a marquee signing from Super Rugby side Queensland Red, is already becoming an influential and popular figure in Swansea and was many people’s man of the match at the Brewery Field.
It was just his second appearance after making his debut at the end of last month and he will be a crucial player going forward following the summer departure of Wales lock Adam Beard.
LOSERS
Max Llewellyn
Gloucester’s European campaign got off to a fine start with a convincing 34-14 win over Castres but there was bad news for Wales centre Max Llewellyn who had to be taken off after just 16 minutes.
Llewellyn suffered a knee injury and now faces a spell on the sidelines after being seen on crutches after the game.
Wales coach Steve Tandy will be hoping it is not too serious ahead of naming his Six Nations squad next month. Llewellyn’s last outing for Wales, against the All Blacks, was one of his best in a Wales jersey and he will be a key man for the tournament.
Wales are already without talismanic captain Jac Morgan, who faces five months out after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury.
Winless Dragons
Life doesn’t get any better for the struggling Dragons who remain winless in 2025 after a heavy 41-17 loss to Perpignan in their European Challenge Cup opener.
Perpignan have lost 11 straight matches in the Top 14, but they came out comfortably on top despite an early red card for Duncan Paia’aua.
The Welsh side face Lyon at home next weekend and will be desperate to avoid the ignominy of going an entire calendar year without a single victory.
Head coach Filo Tiatia said: “It was disappointing. We played a good Perpignan side who won most of the collisions and credited pressure.
“We need to be better at doing the basics well and keeping hold of the ball.
“We needed to get possession in the right parts of the field and create pressure and score points.
“We got a couple of tries at the end, but we were always chasing the game.”
