There is no easing into the new United Rugby Championship season for Scarlets Rugby and Cardiff. Round 1 brings an immediate Welsh derby at Parc y Scarlets.
Cardiff enters the new season after finishing sixth in 2025-26 and reaching the URC playoffs for the first time since the 2002-03 Celtic League. Scarlets finished 14th and closed the campaign without a victory in their final five league matches. Recent derby history adds another wrinkle: the away team has won each of the last five meetings between the clubs, including Cardiff's 28-24 victory in Llanelli in April.
Ryan Elias reaches a major milestone in the opener as he makes his 200th appearance for Scarlets and starts at hooker. Cardiff counters with two summer signings making their competitive debuts, with Scott Sio starting at loosehead prop and Le Roux Malan lining up in the center.
Scarlets vs. Cardiff Rugby Kickoff Time, Lineups
Scarlets and Cardiff Rugby kick off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, Wales, in Round 1 of the 2026-27 URC season.
How To Watch Scarlets vs. Cardiff Rugby
Scarlets vs. Cardiff Rugby will stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States as the Welsh rivals begin their 2026-27 URC campaigns.
Scarlets Lineup vs. Cardiff Rugby
Starting XV
Sam O'Connor
Ryan Elias
Henry Thomas
Harvey Cuckson
Will Evans
Sam Lousi
Josh Macleod (c)
Osian Williams
Dane Blacker
Gareth Anscombe
Macs Page
Eddie James
Joe Roberts
Ellis Mee
Blair Murray
Replacements
John McKee
Josh Morse
Gabe Hawley
Alex Groves
Tristan Davies
Archie Hughes
Joe Hawkins
Ioan Jones
Cardiff Rugby Lineup vs. Scarlets
Starting XV
Scott Sio
Liam Belcher
Keiron Assiratti
Teddy Williams
Josh McNally
Dan Thomas
Alex Mann
Alun Lawrence
Ellis Bevan
Jarrod Evans
Josh Adams
Le Roux Malan
Ben Thomas (c)
Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Cam Winnett
Replacements
Evan Lloyd
Danny Southworth
Rhys Litterick
Rory Thornton
Mackenzie Martin
Aled Davies
Callum Sheedy
Mason Grady
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