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Some rival supporters may have revelled in the troubles of the Ospreys this season, but they may not be laughing next campaign.
For the root cause of Ospreys’ problems were a devastating injury list and their stars being away at the World Cup.
It will be a new start with the astute Toby Booth having been appointed coach and he will be spoilt for choice at centre, wing, hooker, lock and back-row.
When you assess the riches he will have at his disposal, most of the ingredients are there for the Liberty Stadium outfit to make a major impact.
Rhys Webb will link with Gareth Anscombe in a stellar half-back partnership for the Ospreys (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)
The Ospreys have signed Rhys Webb from Toulon and are pulling out all the stops to lure Owen Williams from Gloucester , while they hope Gareth Anscombe will have recovered from the knee injury which kept him out of the World Cup.
With Webb and Anscombe pulling the strings at half-back, Williams possibly offering more flair at 12 and George North’s threat on the wing, the Ospreys back-line looks highly capable.
As for the pack, well you know what you are going to get from stellar talents like Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, while Dan Lydiate is consistency personified.
Andy Howell’s verdict: Getting the right man to replace the departing Matt Sherratt as backs coach will be important, but Ospreys supporters should be optimistic about their prospects of challenging as Wales’ top region.
SCARLETS
L Halfpenny; L Williams, Jonathan Davies, H Parkes, J McNicholl; R Patchell, G Davies; R Evans, K Owens, S Lee, J Ball, T Ratuva, A Shingler, James Davies, U Cassiem.
With Brad Mooar leaving after just a season to become New Zealand assistant, defence chief Glenn Delaney steps up – and will be delighted with the talent at his disposal.
The return of Liam Williams from Saracens is the only big-name signing thus far for Wales’ top region, but what a capture.
His presence highlights the depth in the Scarlets squad.
Liam Williams will be back in Scarlets colours (Image: Getty Images)
Williams will be part of an international back division brimming with experience and ability, with Rhys Patchell returning to fire it as playmaker.
That back-line is capable of inflicting some real damage and putting fear into any opposition if provided with enough quality ball by the Scarlets pack.
But again there is more than enough know-how and experience in the front five, while the likes of Aaron Shingler and James Davies are highly effective back-rowers.
There is no Steff Evans, Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias or Blade Thomson in the side I have picked, while hugely promising prospects like Jac Morgan also miss out.
Andy Howell’s verdict: Scarlets were the last Welsh team to lift the Guinness title in 2017 and remain the region to beat following the acquisition of Williams.
DRAGONS
J Williams; R Dyer, A Warren, O Williams, A Hewitt; S Davies, R Williams; A Jarvis, E Dee, L Brown, B Nansen, M Screech, A Wainwright, T Basham, R Moriarty.
Wales and Lions back-rower Ross Moriarty’s decision to remain has given them a significant fillip in the wake of lock Cory Hill leaving.
It is a case of who director of rugby Dean Ryan leaves out of the back-row and outstanding prospect Taine Basham gets the nod in my team with the injury-wracked Ollie Griffiths being the unlucky player to miss out.
The Dragons could do with Owen Williams, who is also a target of the Ospreys and clubs in England, France and Japan, joining them from Gloucester because they need to strengthen and sharpen midfield resources.
They still hope to land Williams, so he is in my Dragons XV for the time being as well as the Ospreys side.
It will be interesting to see who wins the tug-of-war for Williams’ services out of those two Welsh regions.
The dependable Adam Warren will be joined in the backs by exciting youngster Rio Dyer and speedster Ashton Hewitt on the wings, plus X-rated attacker Jordan Williams at full-back.
Elliot Dee slots in as starting hooker despite the excellence of veteran Richard Hibbard this campaign while versatile Test prop Aaron Jarvis has made a positive impact packing down either side of the scrum.
Andy Howell’s verdict: The Dragons have some super youngsters and their best XV should trouble opponents as they seek to remain on an upward path.