Slow start but Shanklin sticks with Ospreys to be pick of our regions

‘ALES Grand Slam star Tom Shanklin says he still thinks Ospreys will be the best Welsh region come the end of the season.

- DYLAN JAMES Sport reporter

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Before the new United Rugby Championship season began, Shanklin and Shane Williams backed Ospreys to be the strongest region this season, but Cardiff have been flying in the opening five games.

After four games in the URC, the capital city region are in fourth place with three wins.

Only Glasgow Warriors, Munster and DHL Stormers are above them. ‘The only team to have beaten them so far is Munster, who ousted the Welsh side by just three points at Thomond Park in an impressive performance from Cardiff.

Ospreys are in 13th place but in fairness to Mark Jones’ team they've endured a much tougher start to the season with a tour of South Africa.

When asked if he still believes that Ospreys will be the best region come May 2026, Shanklin said: “Yeah, I think so.

“They went to South Africa for the first two games. They could have done with a second losing bonus point against the Bulls, they didn't get it but they still scored 50 points.

“And I think if we've been critical of the Ospreys over the last few years, it's probably been their attack. So their attack was good.