It was a weekend marked by emotional goodbyes, dashed ambitions, and physical setbacks as Welsh rugby approaches the conclusion of another domestic season.
In the United Rugby Championship, Cardiff are still in contention for a play-off berth, but their grip on a top-eight position weakened following a defeat to league leaders Glasgow. Adding to the disappointment, back Josh Adams was forced off with an injury at halftime.
Meanwhile, Ospreys and Dragons supporters bid farewell to Wales back-row duo Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright, who played their final home games for their respective regions before moving to the English Premiership.
Tomos Williams, now playing across the Severn for Gloucester, suffered a concerning shoulder injury early in the second half of his side’s league victory over Sale at Kingsholm.
Here, BBC Sport reviews the key talking points from the weekend in Welsh rugby.
**Last Home Hurrahs for Back-Row Stars**
Ospreys fans have long known that British and Irish Lions standout Morgan and fellow Wales co-captain Dewi Lake would depart at the season’s end. The club announced in December that Morgan and hooker Lake would join Premiership side Gloucester for the 2026-27 season, with the current uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of the four regions influencing their decision.
Morgan underscored his talismanic value to the Ospreys and demonstrated how much he will be missed by scoring the winning try in a fierce Welsh derby, as the Ospreys edged the Scarlets 27-20 at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.
“It’s a great feeling to get the try and really special to win on my last home game for the Ospreys,” the flanker told S4C afterward. “My time here has been great. I’ve loved playing here and I’ve always said this group of boys are special. I’m grateful to everyone at the club, I’ve loved it. But I’m not finished yet. We’ve still got Leinster so I’m looking forward to coming back on Monday for another week with them before my last game. We knew it was going to be a tough game against Scarlets and in fairness they were very good. But I was proud of the boys’ effort throughout the 80 minutes and to dig out the win in the end.”
Fellow Wales back-rower Wainwright could not conjure a similar fairytale ending in his last appearance at Rodney Parade before joining Leicester, as the Dragons fell 24-15 to Edinburgh.
“It was a special occasion for me tonight being my last home game here. I think going into next year, [there are] plenty of positives for the Dragons,” said the 28-year-old. “Hopefully they keep the momentum going from what we’ve done this year because we’ve had some real good wins over the course of the season. Hopefully they can give the fans more to get behind next year.”
Wainwright ended his tenure surrounded by Dragons supporters, who were allowed onto the pitch to give him a heartfelt send-off.
**Williams and Adams Worries for Wales**
With Wales head coach Steve Tandy set to announce his squad on Monday for this summer’s Nations Championship, the last thing he needed was fitness concerns over star scrum-half Williams and fellow Lion Adams.
The severity of the injuries is still to be assessed, but with matches against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa looming in July—preceded by a warm-up against the Barbarians at the end of June—Tandy will want all his senior players fit and in form. Adams was forced off at halftime during Cardiff’s loss, adding to the injury list.