It was another eventful weeked of rugby action
11:26, 27 Apr 2026
Gloucester’s Max Llewellyn runs in a try against Exeter Chiefs(Image: PA)
It was another breathless weekend of Welsh rugby, packed with drama, fine margins and no shortage of talking points across the game.
Cardiff stole the headlines with a nerve-shredding 24-21 victory over the Ospreys on Friday night, a result that edges them to within touching distance of the United Rugby Championship play-offs and keeps their season very much alive.
Elsewhere, the Dragons ground out a narrow win, while the Scarlets were left reeling after late heartbreak for the second week on the bounce.
With Wales head coach Steve Tandy casting a watchful eye over Welsh talent in the Gallagher Premiership, plenty unfolded beyond the regions too.
Meanwhile, Wales Women endured a tough outing against England and the race for silverware in Super Rygbi Cymru saw Cardiff, Llandovery, Ebbw Vale and Newport book their places in the semi-finals.
Here are your winners and losers.
WinnersMax Llewellyn and Tomos Williams
This has been a frustrating season for the 27-year-old who has only recently returned from the best part of four months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
But Llewellyn is now fit and back to his best, playing a key role in Gloucester’s shock 34-31 victory over play-off-chasing Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm on Sunday.
Llewellyn caught the eye by scoring two well-taken tries.
The former Cardiff centre carried well, his support lines were good and he also linked up well with Gloucester’s back-three in attack.
But arguably the most impressive aspect of his game came in defence as Llewellyn kept world-class Australian Len Ikitau and the experienced England international Henry Slade at bay.
It would be a surprise if Llewellyn was not named in Wales’ squad this summer.
His fellow Welshman Tomos Williams was also outstanding at Kingsholm.
Williams was Gloucester’s main playmaker, pulling the strings from the number nine shirt. He was electric from the base of the ruck and claimed a well-deserved try.
Dan Thomas
The 32-year-old Cardiff openside is one of Welsh rugby’s unsung heroes.
S4C presenter Sarra Elgan voiced the opinion of many Welsh rugby fans pre-match when she said: “It is astonishing to me how he has never had the opportunity with Wales.”
Thomas was outstanding in Cardiff’s 24-21 victory over the Ospreys on Friday night as he more than held his own in direct opposition to Jac Morgan as he was awarded the official player of the match award.
The former Scarlets, Gloucester and Bristol Bears backrower was a constant thorn in the Ospreys’ side.
Thomas was into everything and was hugely influential at the breakdown, helping to slow down the speed of the Ospreys’ ruck ball while also ensuring Cardiff’s ran smoothly.
He made 12 tackles and carried well, while he also scored a well-deserved try to fire Cardiff to within touching distance of the URC play-offs.
Callum Sheedy
The Cardiff playmaker has hit a rich vein of form for his club.
Sheedy was outstanding in the miraculous victory over the Scarlets last week and was very good against the Ospreys on Friday night.
The 30-year-old has regained the form he showed throughout the majority of his time at Bristol Bears after a slow start to his Cardiff career.
Sheedy is a very good offensive number 10 with an effective attacking kicking game. His distribution under pressure and his ability to get the backline moving are also valuable traits.
His goal kicking has also improved immeasurably this season.
With Sam Costelow facing a race against time to get fit in time for Wales’ summer campaign Sheedy stands a strong chance of making Steve Tandy’s squad.
Keira Bevan
It wasn’t a good day at the office for Wales Women who suffered a heavy 62-24 defeat to England at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
But 28-year-old scrum-half Bevan can hold her head held high because she was Wales’ best player by a country mile.
Bevan’s kicking game shone, while she was also a huge threat with ball in hand, cutting England’s defence open on more than one occasion.
She also claimed a well-worked try and if Wales are to get a win from this Six Nations then Bevan will surely be at the forefront of it.
Tinus de Beer
The South African outside-half got the official player of the match award as the Dragons claimed a late 19-18 victory over Zebre Parma.
De Beer controlled the game well throughout and was a constant threat with ball in hand, consistently attacking the line.
The 30-year-old’s sensational tip-on pass under intense pressure put wing David Richards over for the match-winning try with the last play of the game.
If the Dragons are to stand any chance of beating French giants Montpellier in next Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final then de Beer will need to be at his very best.
LosersDan Kasende and the Ospreys
The Ospreys’ discipline was absolutely shocking against Cardiff on Friday night and was the primary reason they slipped to a first defeat at the Arms Park since 2007.
Mark Jones’ side played almost half of the game with 14 men and at one stage were down to 13.
In total they received one 20-minute red card and two yellow cards.
It was all-action wing Dan Kasende who received the red card after leading with his forearm and making direct contact with the throat of Cardiff outside-half Sheedy.
Wales Women
It was a long day at the office for Wales Women who suffered a 62-24 defeat to England at Ashton Gate.
There were some positives in the sense Wales scored four tries to pick up a try bonus point but ultimately they got thrashed in Bristol.
England’s women’s team is undoubtedly one of the best teams in world sport and it was always going to be difficult but international rugby is about winning and Wales have only won once in 13 Test matches under Sean Lynn.
They are also winless in the Six Nations since 2024.
It was always going to take time to turn Wales into a force in the international women’s game but equally they arguably should be doing better.
Scarlets
The Scarlets arguably deserved better as a result of a much-improved performance against a strong Bulls side but they suffered last heartbreak once again.
Nigel Davies’ side played well for large parts of the game as the Scarlets pack went toe to toe with a very strong Bulls eight.
But in the end it was the impact from the Bulls bench, along with a trio of missed conversions from outside-half Joe Hawkins, which proved the difference.
The Scarlets very nearly got over the line but a late penalty from Springboks star Handre Pollard resulted in the west Walians coming up short yet again this season.