Ospreys secured bragging rights in West Wales as they defeated Scarlets 26-19 in a United Rugby Championship (URC) derby at Parc y Scarlets. Tries from Owen Watkin, Dewi Lake, Kieran Hardy, and replacement Iestyn Hopkins earned a bonus-point victory for the visitors, while Scarlets replied through Joe Roberts and flanker Jarrod Taylor, with a late Joe Hawkins conversion granting a losing bonus point.

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Scarlets Dominate Early But Ospreys Stay Clinical

Scarlets, missing key Wales internationals Blair Murray, Sam Costelow, Josh Macleod, and Kemsley Mathias, started strongly but were hampered by handling errors and a resilient Ospreys defence. Flanker Taine Plumtree returned to the side after injury, while Ellis Mee impressed after moving from wing to full-back.

Despite controlling possession early, Scarlets were unable to capitalize. Jake Ball was denied a try for extra movement, and Gareth Davies narrowly missed on a chip over the Ospreys defence. Physical collisions marked the first quarter, with Harri Deaves producing key defensive tackles for the visitors.

Ospreys, down to 14 men early due to a yellow card for Keiran Williams, took advantage of their limited opportunities. Watkin scored first under the posts, converted by Edwards, and Lake extended the lead to 14 points before halftime. Scarlets reduced the deficit to seven with Roberts’ converted try.

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Second Half: Ospreys Clinch Bonus Point

The visitors continued their defensive resilience in the second half. Kieran Hardy and Iestyn Hopkins crossed the try line after clever interplay with replacements Morgan Morris and Jack Walsh. Ospreys briefly went down to 14 men again following Keelan Giles’ yellow card, but the side remained composed to secure the bonus point.

Scarlets’ late try from Joe Roberts and Hawkins’ conversion gave them a losing bonus point, but Ospreys left Llanelli celebrating a hard-fought victory.

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Impact on URC Standings

The win lifted Ospreys off the bottom of the URC table, rising four places to 12th, while Scarlets dropped to the foot of the league. Ospreys will host Cardiff in Bridgend on New Year’s Day, while Scarlets travel to Dragons on the same day.

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Welsh Rugby Future: Derby Dates Fuel Debate

The Boxing Day derby may have been among the last, as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) plans to reduce professional men’s teams to three, with licences expected for Cardiff, the west, and the east. Speculation over a potential takeover of Cardiff by Ospreys owners Y11 Sports and Media has stirred debate among fans, though no official decisions have been announced.

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Full Team Line-Ups

Scarlets: Mee; Rogers, James, J. Williams, Roberts; Hawkins; G. Davies; Hepburn, Elias (capt), Holz, Lousi, Ball, Douglas, Plumtree, Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Morse, H. Thomas, T. Davies, Taylor, Hughes, E. Price, Page.
Sin-bin: Douglas 75

Ospreys: Walsh; Conbeer, Watkin, K. Williams, Giles; Edwards, Hardy; S. Thomas, Lake (capt), Henry, Sutton, R. Smith, Ratti, Deaves, Moriarty.
Replacements: Parry, G. Phillips, Botha, R. Davies, Morris, L. Davies, Cokanasiga, Hopkins.
Sin-bin: K. Williams 19, Giles 64

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans, Carwyn Sion (WRU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)