Scrum V Testing, testing 1,2, 3 ... URC & WXV review
Oct 26, 2026
Welsh rugby journalist Matt Lloyd, former Wales hooker Scott Baldwin, and ex-Wales international and broadcaster Philippa Tuttiett review a dramatic weekend. They discuss the Ospreys’ return to St Helens, Wales’ gritty win in Japan, the Scarlets’ thriller against the Stormers, Cardiff’s tactical battle, and the WRU’s finances. Lloyd also shares what new chairman Lyndon Faulkner could mean for the regions.
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Why St Helens Restored Ospreys Identity
- Supporters create a stadium’s identity, but an intimate ground can also reignite supporter connection.
- The Ospreys’ return to St Helens felt meaningful because fans stayed close to players after the derby win.
Ospreys Win By Repeating Their Best Weapon
- The Ospreys defeated the Dragons by repeatedly trusting their maul, turning penalties and exits into 30-metre advances.
- Their second-half maul immediately established the physical pattern that decided the derby.
The Value Of A Specialist Tighthead
- Tom Botha’s specialist scrummaging gives the Ospreys a valuable point of difference despite his limited wider skill set.
- Scott Baldwin argues front-row players should first master the defining skill attached to their position.