After 12 rounds of the United Rugby Championship, tricky would be an understatement when describing the seasons of the four Welsh regions. The talk at the beginning of the campaign was the budget cuts heading the way of the four Welsh regions. A number of younger players are coming through the ranks, including Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin and Joe Roberts, who have featured for Wales during the Six Nations , to provide the game in the country some shoots of optimism. With the focus now back to the regional game with six rounds of URC action to go and with the Ospreys attempting to keep Welsh hopes in the Challenge Cup alive, here’s a regional team of the campaign so far, with the end-of-season run-in looming. 15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff) The 21-year-old has come on to the scene rather nicely at Cardiff . He’s started in 10 games in 11 matches for the Blue and Blacks before his call-up to the senior Six Nations squad. His positioning in the backfield is excellent and is commanding under the high ball and he has scored tries against the Scarlets and Dragons this season. SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on around all the big issues. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40. 14. Mason Grady (Cardiff) There’s plenty of debate surrounding the position of Mason Grady at the moment, but for this team he’s on the wing. Grady has scored five tries this term and has beaten 20 defenders along the way. The winger has also made 12 clean breaks, which puts him fourth in the URC in a list including Italian international Simone Gesi and Springbok Aphelele Fassi. 13. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) Despite missing out on a place within Wales’ training squad ahead of last year’s
World Cup, Watkin has been an important figure in the Ospreys squad this season with his constant switching between inside and outside centre and a new leadership role under head coach Toby Booth. The 27-year-old has started in 12 out of 13 games this term and played a vital role in securing a knockout match in the Challenge Cup with a try and an assist in their comeback win over the Emirates Lions in January. Scarlets’ Joe Roberts was close to this side, but Watkin’s work in defence just edges him out. 12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff) Arguably one of the only ball-playing 12s in Wales, Ben Thomas has stepped up for Cardiff this term. Given the tag of "best centre in Wales" by former international Tom Shanklin, he has been a consistent performer under Matt Sherratt. While having the ability to play at fly-half and at full-back, all of Thomas’ starts this season have come at 12. He offers a second playmaker role, a useful kicking game and has scored five tries in all competitions. Listen to the Welsh Rugby Podcast with Abi Tierney and Nigel Walker here: 11. Keelan Giles (Ospreys) Winger Keelan Giles has found form throughout this season, scoring six tries in nine matches. After a few seasons where injuries hampered his development, the 27-year-old is now back to his best. Rio Dyer was close to featuring after an impressive return from the World Cup, but Giles’ form over the
Christmas period gets him in the side. 10. Tinus De Beer (Cardiff) The summer signing from Currie Cup side Pumas, 28-year-old De Beer has been a hit at the Cardiff Arms Park. He has started all 16 games for the Blue and Blacks this year. While there has been the odd error in his game, De Beer on the whole has been very good in attack, particularly in wins over the Stormers and Dragons. De Beer currently sits on 97 points scored, putting him third in the URC and is second in terms of kicks in play, with 98 kicks completed. 9. Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys) An underrated part of the Ospreys gameplan has been scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams. The number nine has scored five tries this season, including in a win at Parc y Scarlets on
boxing Day. Having started in 12 games in all competitions, Morgan-Williams has been a reliable box-kicker and a steady head in the backs. Tomos Williams was in good form over the festive period but suffered injury on international duty. 8. Morgan Morris (Ospreys) One of the most consistent performers at the Ospreys over the last couple of years, Morgan Morris is having another fine season. He has beaten 16 defenders this term and has crossed the try line against the Scarlets and Benetton in the Challenge Cup. An injury ruled him out of the Christmas period before returning and scoring away in Edinburgh at the beginning of the month. The 25-year-old is consistently getting Booth’s side over the gainline, yet has been overlooked by the national side over the last two seasons. 7. Thomas Young (Cardiff) Another who you could argue has been overlooked by the national side has been Cardiff flanker Thomas Young. The Blue and Blacks openside has made 11 turnovers in the URC, putting him joint top of the entire league. Young returned from injury in January and scored a brace against Harlequins in the Champions Cup. 6. Vaea Fifita (Scarlets) Tongan international Vaea Fifita has been a shining light whenever the Scarlets have played this term. The 31-year-old has started 11 games and has played a vital role in their wins against Cardiff and Benetton and was one of the select few who could keep their heads held high following a tough run of results through Christmas. Fifita has spent the majority of the season at No. 8 but has been able to move to the blindside flank and the second row when needed. 5. Rhys Davies (Ospreys) An incredibly close call between two Ospreys second rows here, between James Fender and Rhys Davies. Alongside flanker Young, Davies has also made 11 turnovers, being the only second row in the URC to complete that amount. Three of his 12 games this season have come at blindside flanker, with Davies adding versatility to his game. He brings a lot of unseen work to his game and plenty of physicality within the set-piece, which we have seen with the Ospreys dominating teams at times this term. 4. Alex Craig (Scarlets) Sitting fourth in the tackles made charts in the URC, Scottish international Alex Craig has been a solid signing for the Scarlets despite their forward woes. He’s made 142 tackles so far this season, 20 more than the next Welsh regional player. In their win over Benetton in round 12, Craig beat nine defenders and topped the carrying stats with 17 made. 3. Tom Botha (Ospreys) One of the best scrummagers in Welsh rugby, Tom Botha has been an excellent addition to the Ospreys since joining from the Cheetahs in 2018. He used his power to good effect despite defeat to Munster last Friday as
Irish prop Jeremy Loughman departed the field after 44 minutes after a torrid time in the scrum. 2. Liam Belcher (Cardiff) Despite not being named in the Welsh squad for the Six Nations, Liam Belcher is a solid club player and is fairly consistent at regional level. He’s started in 13 of 16 matches for the region this term and offers accurate lineouts and a decent presence around the park alongside his leadership role as captain. 1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) A top scrummaging looseheads in the league, Smith has been a constant figure for the Ospreys over the last 12 months. A threat in the breakdown and blessed with a strong carrying game, alongside Botha, Smith is dominant in the set-piece. There will be a big hole to fill for the Ospreys when Smith departs for Gallagher Premiership side Leicester Tigers at the end of the season. Cardiff’s Rhys Carre was a very close second to making this XV after an impressive season to date.