As Judgement DayV dawns... who have been the stand-out regional players?You might be surprised...
THE stars of the Welsh regional game will be on show at the Principality Stadium tomorrow for the Judgement Day V double header.
First up it will be Cardiff Blues v Ospreys (2.45pm), followed by Scarlets v Dragons (5.15pm), with a bumper 60,000 crowd expected.
To mark the occasion, the Guinness PRO12 have picked the Welsh regional team of the season based on week-in, week-out performances in the competition and player stats.
It includes some interesting names, as rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS discovers. 15. Dan Evans (Ospreys) One of only two Ospreys players to feature in every PRO12 match this term, Evans has scored five tries, gained 1296 metres and made 186 carries. 14. Steffan Evans (Scarlets) Winger Evans has crossed for eight tries – the joint second most in the competition. He has also beaten 49 defenders and gained more than 1,000 metres. 13. Josh Matavesi (Ospreys) The Newcastle-bound Fijian has gained more metres than any of his fellow centres. He has touched down three times and beaten 32 defenders. 12. Steve Shingler (Cardiff Blues) The leading points scorer (128) in the PRO12 this season. Versatile Shingler has a kick percentage of over 75 per cent after slotting 25 conversions and 21 penalties, while also scoring three tries. 11. Tom James (Cardiff Blues) The Blues’ leading try scorer this season, going over six times. Has made more clean breaks (22) than any of his teammates and beaten 29 defenders. 10. Sam Davies (Ospreys) Davies’ kicking is unmatched by any other player across the four Welsh sides this season. He has missed only six kicks from 47 putting him second behind Munster’s Tyler Bleyendaal in the race to the Rhino Golden Boot. 9. Tom Habberfield (Ospreys) Yet to miss a match this season. Has completed 952 passes, the second most by a scrum-half playing in Wales and made 76 tackles whilst gaining 323 metres in attack. 1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) A bit of an unsung hero. The loosehead prop is one of only two Scarlets not to have missed a match, while he has put in no fewer than 111 tackles. 2. Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) Has completed more tackles (168) and made more carries (160) than any other hooker this season in his 16 appearances. The dynamic 27-year-old also has four tries to his name. 3. Brok Harris (Newport Gwent Dragons) Harris has made more tackles (144) than any other prop in the PRO12. The South African tight-head has missed just two matches this season. 4. Lloyd Ashley (Ospreys) Ashley has a strong record this season, with 129 tackles from his 16 appearances, having been a regular fixture in the match-day squad. 5. Rynard Landman (Newport Gwent Dragons) South African Landman has made more tackles than any other Welsh-based lock with 140. He has won 40 of his own lineouts this season and has three tries. 6. Olly Cracknell (Ospreys) New Wales squad member Cracknell has made more tackles than any other Ospreys player this campaign with 165, accompanied by a host of clean breaks. 7. James Davies (Scarlets) Has won more turnovers (26) than any other PRO12 player this season. The Olympics Sevens star has also made more tackles (204) than any of his teammates. 8. Lewis Evans (Newport Gwent Dragons) Has missed just one match and completed the most tackles (210) of any player across the Welsh regions. Has also made more carries (180) than any other player in his position.