Victories for the Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff Rugby ensured the likes of Dewi Lake, Taine Plumtree and Mason Grady among others, entered camp with a spring in their step from what was the best return of wins since all four regions won in March 2021.
There have been three wins since then, but not all against teams from other countries.
To hear Hymns and Arias echoing around Welsh grounds over the weekend was an indication of just how much the victories meant after some tough times. AT the conclusion of the first block of matches in URC, Scarlets (6th) and Cardiff (8th) are in the play-off places and even though Ospreys and Dragons are at the wrong end of the table in 14th and 15th respectively, they could so easily be higher up the table if chances had been taken.
The most dramatic triumph from round seven came at the Arms Park where Cardiff staged a stunning second half comeback to turn around a 19-0 deficit and beat Ulster Rugby 21-19.
It was left to fly-half Callum Sheedy to land what proved to be the match-winning conversion ahead of a huge defensive effort in a nerve-jangling last play, with the final whistle signalling scenes of jubilation both on and off the field.
Giving his thoughts, Sheedy said: “We came in at half-time and it wasn’t a great position to be in, 19-0 down, but there was no panic.
“We just knew we had to fire some shots, throw some punches and the second half is probably the best our attack has looked all season.“Those last 90 seconds, when you are defending and they are throwing everything at us, those are the reasons you play the game.
“To have that feeling in the changing room where you know you have left literally everything out there and to come away with the win and see the Arms Park like that, it’s really special.
Sheedy added: “I thought the crowd were outstanding. That really does give us a boost when it’s in those tight finishes.
How do I get tickets to see my regional heroes play for Wales?
“It was amazing. To hear them singing and really getting behind the boys in the last five minutes when we were cooked was really special. I enjoyed that. It definitely helped us get over the line.”
There were also plenty of smiles among Ospreys fans following a welcome 22-13 victory over Edinburgh Rugby at Bridgend’s Brewery Field.
There were tries from front row trio of Wales captain Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas and Sam Parry as Toby Booth’s team battled through for the win to move off the bottom of the table.
Skipper Jac Morgan was named Player of the Match after making 18 tackles, 13 carries and winning three turnovers from the blindside flank.
Delivering his verdict on Morgan, coach Booth said: “He is an incredible player, he leads by example. You saw from the get-go, he was driving people backwards in the collisions, ball-carrying relentlessly, getting off the floor. He is a special player.”
As for the victory, Booth said: “We are very relieved. We went back to basics this week. We started much better, built into the game and then it got into an arm wrestle and we are pretty good at an arm wrestle in Bridgend.
It’s a result which means the Ospreys are now four from four at the Brewery Field in 2024, having already beaten Cardiff, Sale and the Stormers there this year.
What was to prove a very positive weekend for Welsh rugby had begun in Llanelli on Friday night with the Scarlets claiming a 30-8 bonus point victory over Zebre Parma.
The Player of the Match award went to young centre Eddie James who showed just why he has been included in Wales’ autumn squad as he produced a tremendous all-round performance.
Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel said: “Eddie has got intent, he carries really well and he is a real astute ball player.
“He’s got the ability to carry and slip the ball in contact. He’s really effective at that. That’s what he’s good at. He’s a player that’s going to grow at 12.”
James’ deft handling really caught the eye, notably when he delivered a perfectly timed short pass to put teenage co-centre Macs Page into a gap.
After turning round with a narrow 11-8 lead, the Scarlets burst into life after the break to secure a third win on the bounce and move up to sixth in the table.
“We said at the start of the season that we were here to compete and we have been competitive in every game and we have got better,” said Peel.
“You can see a group of players that want to play for the shirt and are fighting hard for each other.”
Dragons RFC head coach Dai Flanagan admitted the first block of the BKT United Rugby Championship season had been one of frustration and missed opportunity after defeat to Connacht in Galway.
The Men of Gwent lost 31-7 at the Dexcom Stadium on an evening when a slow start and failure to turn territory and possession into points in the second half proved costly.
“It was a frustrating game for us,” said Flanagan. “The fundamentals of the game have let us down at times and a slow start in the first half.“We’ve competed in games throughout this block, been a point here or there off getting more. We have got to be frustrated that we have not taken more from it and we have got to learn to take opportunities.
“The message now to the players is to regroup and reset,” he added. “We have a chance to freshen up the group with some players coming back for this next block.
“The next block is the Welsh derbies and Europe, it’s the highlight of the season for many, so we have got to ensure we make it count and get both performances and results.”
