A host of Wales’ triumphant stars return to the ground where they secured the 2019 Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam on Saturday as they prepare for ‘Judgement Day’ in the Guinness PRO14 at Principality Stadium.
Cardiff Blues and Ospreys face off with the Champions Cup play-off place the reward for the victor – Ospreys just one point ahead in fourth in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14.
Wales captain and Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship Alun Wyn Jones returns for Ospreys, along with George North, for the first time since both suffered injuries against Ireland in the deciding game in the Grand Slam.
They will go up against international team-mate Gareth Anscombe in what could be his final game for the Cardiff Blues before he switches to join Ospreys in the summer – Anscombe starting at full-back.
Ahead of the game, Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke commented: “Our goal for the season has been to achieve Champions Cup qualification, Saturday provides another opportunity to keep that goal alive.
“We’re under no illusions to the challenge and level of performance required against Cardiff on Saturday.
“It’s important we focus on our processes, do what we do well and the scoreboard will look after itself.”
Earlier that day Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets play Dragons knowing a victory and favourable results elsewhere could see them secure a place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series.
All players of Welsh persuasion will want to impress in front of the Wales manager-in-waiting, with a host of internationals among both line-ups.
Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens all start for Scarlets whilst Elliot Dee and Ross Moriarty are part of a Dragons team playing for pride.
“There is still a lot to play for,” said Pivac.
“It’s an opportunity to get four or five points if we play well enough. Mathematically that could still keep our season alive.
“We’ve had a very disrupted season so we want to finish on a high note.
“The Principality Stadium is one of the best stadiums in world rugby to play in and we have a handful of international players who have great memories of playing on that pitch.
“Facing the Dragons is obviously a derby match and it gives our squad the chance to play against other Welsh players – some of whom are fighting for positions in what is a World Cup year.
“We expect the same from the Dragons as what we’ve encountered in the last few years at Judgement Day. They’re a team that make it really hard for us.”
