Big day out at the you need to know
As for the Blues and the Dragons, they have decided it’s worthwhile moving matches.
Initially, the deal was they received a set fee from the Union for giving up home advantage, with any profit beyond that going to the governing body.
But, in 2015, the arrangement was changed.
Now it’s a full tripartite set-up, with the Union, the Blues and the Dragons sharing the costs three ways and splitting the profits in the same fashion.
There has been some talk of maybe having two Judgement Days a season, with one at the Liberty Stadium in the early autumn.
But it’s questionable whether the capacity there would make it financially worthwhile or whether the Scarlets would want to move a home derby to Swansea. So for now, it’s just the one JD at the PS. Some people are not too keen on Judgement Day. Why’s that? One of the big bugbears for Blues and Dragons season-ticket holders is the seats they are allocated at the Principality Stadium.
There has been a consistent disquiet over where they are placed and that has seen some opt not to attend the event.
They have already paid to watch these games by purchasing their season ticket, yet many seem less than enamoured with where they end up in the ground.
You would in theory think this is an opportunity to reward loyal week-in, week-out supporters by giving them some of the best seats in the house, but this doesn’t seem to be the case.
The other issue disgruntled fans have is they would rather retain real “home” advantage and have the games played at the Arms Park and Rodney Parade, where they can watch from their usual spots.
Certainly moving to the stadium hasn’t served the Blues and Dragons two well in terms of results.
Between them, they have only won one of the eight games!
You also get the sense that some regular fans are not to fussed on sharing the day with event goers who are attracted to Judgement Day by the low ticket price and the prospect of a day on the beer.
There is also perhaps a wider debate to be had about whether or not the event actually leads to increased week-in, week-out regional attendances or whether it is just a one-off.
In addition, issues have been raised at various points about the queues at food and drink outlets and the transport to and from the ground, particularly in terms of the rail service. Turning to the actual rugby, what’s at stake this weekend? It’s the two west Wales teams who have the most to play for in terms of league position.
The Ospreys and the Scarlets both go into the day in the top four in the PRO12 and victories would go a long way towards helping them secure places in the end-of-season play-offs.
They are essentially battling it out with Ulster to join Leinster and Munster in the semi-finals.
The Ospreys are badly in need of a win to get back on track, having lost their last three matches.
But they are up against a Blues side that produced one of their best performances of the season in drawing away to Ulster last weekend.
As for the in-form Scarlets, you would expect them to rack up maximum points against the Dragons, who have won just four out of 19 games in the PRO12 this season. What’s the team news? Looking at Blues v Ospreys first, both sides show four changes in personnel, as well as some positional rejigging.
With Sam Warburton, Blaine Scully and George Earle all ruled out by injuries picked up in Belfast,
Nick Williams, Matthew Morgan and Macauley Cook come into the starting line-up for Danny Wilson’s team, while Kristian Dacey replaces Matthew Rees at hooker.
For the Ospreys, Sam Davies switches from full-back to outside-half, with Dan Biggar ruled out by the head injury he sustained against Leinster last weekend.
Dan Evans reverts to 15, while winger Dafydd Howells, fit-again Wales lock Bradley Davies, centre Ashley Beck and back rower James King step up to the plate.
In the other game, Wales stars Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams both return to the starting line-up for the Scarlets, who will make a late decision on the fitness of back rower John Barclay, as he goes through head assessment protocols.
The Dragons show five changes in the wake of last weekend’s 29-14 loss to Zebre, with Adam Warren employed on the wing and former Scarlet Nic Cudd in on the openside, while there are two new props in Sam Hobbs and Lloyd Fairbrother. Who will be reffing the games this weekend? Irishman Andrew Brace will be the man in the middle for the Blues-Ospreys game, with his countryman Sean Gallagher and Wales’ Gywn Morris acting as his assistants and Neil Hennessy on TMO duties.
Then it will be over to Nigel Owens to take charge of his 150th PRO12 match as he handles the Dragons’ meeting with the Scarlets. He will be backed up by Dan Jones and Sean Brickell, plus TMO Jon Mason, all from the WRU. What’s the TV coverage? The Blues-Ospreys game will be on BBC1 Wales, with coverage beginning at 2.30pm, while the Dragons-Scarlets clash will be shown by both S4C and Sky Sports 3, with their packages beginning at 5pm. Can you still buy tickets for Judgement Day V? Yes, you can. Tickets are available at £10 per person from the WRU website (where print-at-home is available) or in person from the WRU Ticket Office on Westgate Street which is open from 9.30am on Saturday.