The Welsh teams start their pre-season fixtures this weekendMason Grady’s return from injury will be a big boost for Cardiff this season(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

This weekend Wales’ four professional clubs – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – begin their pre-season friendlies ahead of the United Rugby Championship later this month.

It has been a long and arduous summer for Welsh rugby fans with the narrative dominated by off-field politics as the Welsh Rugby Union look to cut the number of professional clubs in Wales from four to two. Very little attention has been given to on-field matters but the season is drawing ever closer.

With pre-season upon us we take a look at the strongest matchday squad each Welsh club can put out this season.

Cardiff Rugby

When Cardiff have their strongest team on the park they can compete with the better sides in the URC but like the other three Welsh clubs strength in depth will be the issue, particularly if they pick up a lot of injuries.

The backline is one which can hurt most defences and score tries.

The return from injury of Mason Grady will feel like a new signing for Matt Sherratt’s side with his size, power and pace a real asset.

Sherratt is likely to select the giant Wales international on the wing with a back three of Cam Winnett, Josh Adams and Grady one of the most potent in the URC.

Harri Millard may not be the biggest name but he was consistent last season and linked up well with Ben Thomas, while Callum Sheedy may well start the season as first choice outside-half despite the fact Cardiff have signed Ioan Lloyd from the Scarlets.

Cardiff could really have done with some extra recruitment up front to bolster the pack further.

A front-row of Corey Domachowski, new Wales cap Liam Belcher and Keiron Assiratti get the nod here but Cardiff have signed two new tightheads in Sam Wainwright and Javan Sebastian.

George Nott has been signed from the Dragons but Josh McNally was a consistent performer last season and Teddy Williams is one of the first names on the team sheet. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

Taine Basham is arguably the most exciting signing made in the off-season and has the potential to make a big impact at the Arms Park.

The fact they have persuaded Taulupe Faletau to stay for another season is also another huge boost.

Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Taine Basham, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Sam Wainwright, Ben Donnell, Alex Mann, Aled Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Jacob Beetham.

Dragons RFC

There is a new look to the Dragons squad with head coach Filo Tiatia having made 16 new signings ahead of the upcoming season.

The 2024/25 season was a shocker for the Dragons who only won twice all term but there are reasons to be optimistic this time around.

It is a far stronger squad on paper with some extra ball carriers both up front and behind the scrum.

Huw Anderson showed glimpses of what he is capable of doing last season and it would be nice to see the 20-year-old get a run of games at full-back.

Tonga international Fine Inisi impressed for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby last season and should add some extra pace and physicality to the Dragons’ backline but don’t forget about Rio Dyer, who will be desperate to win back his place in the Wales squad.

They have added another Tonga international to the backline, with Fetuli Paea brought on board to punch holes in opposition defences and get the Dragons over the gainline.

Tinus de Beer is also a solid signing and he will have a big role to play in any Dragons resurgence because the Men of Gwent lacked control and direction from the number 10 jersey at times last season.

Wyn Jones and Robert Hunt have been signed to shore up the scrum.

Hunt faces stiff competition for the number three shirt from experienced Wales international Dillon Lewis and Chris Coleman who won his first senior international cap in Japan but the South African wins the nod because of his scrummaging prowess.

When WalesOnline spoke to new signing Levi Douglas last month he said he had been given the brief of winning the collisions and getting over the gainline. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free

The 29-year-old’s second-row partnership with Ben Carter could be effective, while Seb Davies is also in the mix.

Thomas Young is a smart signing at openside flanker, while Shane Lewis-Hughes may just edge out Ryan Woodman on the blindside with Aaron Wainwright at No 8.

Dragons: Huw Anderson; Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Fetuli Paea, Rio Dyer; Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Robert Hunt, Levi Douglas, Ben Carter, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Chris Coleman, Seb Davies, MacKenzie Martin, Niall Armstrong, Angus O’Brien, Joe Westwood.

Ospreys

The Ospreys have the strongest pack of the four Welsh sides and while they have lost Adam Beard to Montpellier the signing of Queensland Reds captain Ryan Smith is a significant one.

Smith and Rhys Davies at lock is a strong partnership with either James Fender or James Ratti on the bench.

The back-row of Ross Moriarty, Jac Morgan and Morgan Morris is a mouthwatering one before you throw Morgan Morse into the mix.

A front-row of Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake and Tom Botha is a powerful scrummaging unit but the likes of Garyn Phillips and Ben Warren on the bench are a work in progress.

Behind the scrum Kieran Hardy has a fight to keep Reuben Morgan-Williams out of the number nine shirt but his experience might just go in his favour.

Dan Edwards is arguably the Ospreys’ key player this season after Owen Williams’ departure to Nice, so it goes without saying the Wales international is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Owen Watkin should be back from injury soon and might just edge out Evardi Boshoff to start in midfield with Keiran Williams.

Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende and Keelan Giles are the back three.

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Ryan Smith, Ross Moriarty, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris. Replacements: Efan Daniel, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Evardi Boshoff, Iestyn Hopkins.

Scarlets

The Scarlets are Wales’ only representatives in this season’s Investec Champions Cup.

If they can avoid an injury crisis they can be competitive but there is a lack of depth in the squad.

Dwayne Peel will be licking his lips at the potential in his backline which can score tries against the very best defences.

Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee is a potent unit, while Joe Roberts and Johnny Williams linked up well in midfield last season.

Eddie James has his work cut out in pushing Williams out of the team and while Macs Page is one of the best prospects in the Welsh game he probably starts on the replacements’ bench when everyone else is fit.

Gareth Davies might be approaching the end of his career at 35 but he is as important to the Scarlets’ cause as ever, as is Sam Costelow who played well towards the end of last season.

Up front Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe and Henry Thomas is a strong front-row while the return of Jake Ball gives Peel another carrying option.

Ball should complement Sam Lousi well. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.

Max Douglas went very well last season and could be required to start on the blindside instead of lock when everyone is fit with captain Josh Macleod at openside flanker and Taine Plumtree at No 8.

The loss of former All Blacks star Vaea Fifita to Top 14 outfit Montauban is a blow, however.

Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Jake Ball, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Josh Macleod, Taine Plumtree. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Archer Holz, Jac Price, Jarrod Taylor, Dane Blacker, Joe Hawkins, Macs Page.