Story byOspreys flanker Harri Deaves won his first Wales cap against New Zealand [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Chris Kirwan - BBC Sport WalesMon, December 8, 2025 at 5:31 AM UTC·5 min readA Welsh whitewash in Europe was on the cards when Ospreys were heading towards half-time in Bridgend but they produced a stunning fightback to start the Challenge Cup in style. Scarlets are Wales' sole representative in the Champions Cup and they were left kicking themselves after a 17-16 defeat by Bristol in Llanelli on Saturday night. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCardiff and Dragons were convincingly downed in France by Stade Francais and Perpignan but Ospreys dug deep at Brewery Field. Their 24-21 win against Connacht provides a launchpad to push for knockout rugby, and ideally in Bridgend. BBC Sport Wales looks at some of the Challenge Cup talking points. Scarlets belong among Europe's elite - PeelWales' Grady aiming for full speed with CardiffOspreys' unity shines brightOspreys made the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 Challenge Cup [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Ospreys were passive in the first half against Connacht and the Irish province really should have bagged a four-try bonus point before the break. Stuart Lancaster's side were left to rue missed chances as Harri Deaves' try before half-time got the hosts on the scoreboard, then further scores followed by centre Phil Cokanasiga, lock Ryan Smith and wing Iestyn Hopkins. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOspreys dug deep in atrocious conditions to produce a result that few saw coming when the clock hit 40 minutes, and all that amid uncertainty over their future. The Welsh Rugby Union's plan to cut the nummber of teams from four to three has Mark Jones' squad in the firing line, yet they are showing remarkable resilience."You can't ever question the spirit of the Ospreys," said the head coach. "No matter who has coached or played for them, the spirit has been very strong."Since my time at the Ospreys, as an assistant when Toby Booth was here and then as a head coach, we know that the spirit is the most crucial cog in the organisation. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"There is a great spirit throughout the whole of the team - starting players, bench players and those not selected."The non-playing group prepared us exceptionally well and we needed that, without it we wouldn't have got the win."The first half was a disasterclass as Connacht won collisions and dominated at the set piece but Ospreys turned that around, with replacement loose-head Gareth Thomas deserving plenty of praise for his scrummaging performance off the bench. Next up, Top 14 strugglers Montauban and a chance for a precious win on the road. The wait for a win goes onDragons wing Fine Inisi played for Tonga in the 2025 autumn internationals [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Dragons may have been forgiven for heading to the south of France with an air of optimism. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey had given title holders Leinster a scare in the United Rugby Championship (URC) the previous weekend and were taking on a side rooted to the bottom of the French Top 14 table. However, Perpignan did not play like a side that had lost 11 on the bounce as they won 41-17. Despite losing Duncan Paia'aua to an early red card, they were the better team in almost every aspect and proved far more deadly in attack with a six-try haul, the pick coming in the second half and finished off by Matteo le Corvec. Dragons' replacement hooker Will Austin impressed with two second-half tries, but it was a sloppy and lacklustre performance from Filo Tiatia's side. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey return to Rodney Parade to take on another French outfit, Lyon, on Sunday and will need to be much better all around the park. Dragons have still not won in 2025 and their last success was at Newcastle in round two of last season's Challenge Cup, the only victory of Tiatia's reign so far. Is Europe a distraction?Cardiff debutant full-back Matty Yo.