Welsh clubs prepare for United Rugby Championship with upcoming pre-season friendlies

Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets are preparing for the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season with a series of pre-season friendlies throughout September. The four teams are scheduled to participate in various warm-up matches, beginning on 4 September with Ospreys facing Coventry. These fixtures serve as final preparation before the domestic competition commences on 25 September. While the teams continue to compete, the Welsh Rugby Union maintains plans to eventually reduce the number of professional sides to three. Current proposals suggest this consolidation will not take effect until 2028, allowing all four clubs to field teams for the next two campaigns despite ongoing uncertainty regarding the professional game's future structure.

• 5:56 AMYahoo Sports — Your guide to Welsh rugby's pre-season fixtures