The Welsh clubs will tune up with pre-season friendlies in the coming weeks ahead of the new campaignScarlets’ Johnny Williams carries the ball into the Dragons defence(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Welsh rugby is currently going through a period of uncertainty, with a consultation process that could see the four professional teams in Wales reduced to two starting next week.

However, despite that all unfolding off-field, preparations for the new season are about to go up a gear. With the United Rugby Championship season beginning towards the end of September, the next couple of weeks will see the clubs tune up with a series of pre-season friendlies.

All four sides are in action on September 6, with the Dragons traveling to Hartpury.

The two sides met in pre-season last August, with Hartpury coming out on top in a high-scoring clash at Rodney Parade.

The Ospreys welcome Exeter Chiefs to Bridgend’s Brewery Field in their only pre-season clash this year. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

Cardiff host newly-promoted English Championship outfit Richmond at the Arms Park, and the friendly will mark the first time the two sides have played each other since the rebel season of 1998/99.

And the Scarlets kick-off pre-season with a clash against Super Rygbi Cymru sides Llandovery and Carmarthen Quins.

The match will see the Scarlets play 30 minutes against Llandovery, followed by half-an-hour against the Quins. The two SRC clubs will then take on one another for 30 minutes.

On the second weekend of pre-season action, Cardiff travel to Dublin to take on reigning United Rugby Championship champions Leinster at Tallaght Stadium.

The Dragons and Scarlets will also play one another on September 13 at Rodney Parade to finish up their preparations for the new campaign.

Saturday, September 6

Hartpury v Dragons – Hartpury – 2.30pm

Ospreys v Exeter Chiefs – Brewery Field – 2.30pm

Cardiff v Richmond – Arms Park – 3pm

Llandovery/Carmarthen Quins v Scarlets – Church Bank – 4pm

Saturday, September 13

Leinster v Cardiff – Tallaght Stadium – 3pm

Dragons v Scarlets – Rodney Parade – 3pm