A Friday date for Scarlets’ Bath time

THE Scarlets’ crunch Euro showdown against Bath will kick-off the fifth round of the Champions Cup in January.

The mouth-watering Pool 5 encounter, one of the games of the round, will take place at The Rec on Friday, January 12, with a 7.45pm kick-off in front of the BT Sport cameras, European bosses have confirmed.

The Ospreys also have a crucial match against English opposition that weekend, with Saracens the visitors to Swansea’s Liberty Stadium the following day for a 7.45pm kick-off.

Both Welsh regions can still qualify for the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier club tournament, but need to win to keep their hopes alive.

The final round of pool matches sees the Ospreys take on Pool 2 leaders Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday, January 20 (3.15pm GMT, BT Sport).

Later in the day, the Scarlets host three-times winners Toulon in Llanelli (5.30pm, Sky Sports).

In the Challenge Cup, Cardiff Blues will welcome Toulouse to the Welsh capital for a fascinating encounter on Sunday, January 14 (5.30pm, BT Sport).

Danny Wilson’s men currently sit four points clear on top of Pool Two, having sealed three wins the opening four rounds of games.

The final round of games sees Wilson’s side travel to take on Lyon, who currently sit third in the domestic league, on Saturday, January 20 (5pm).

Dragons, who are still not out the running in Pool 1, go to Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday, January 13 (8pm).

They complete their fixtures with a home tie in the reverse fixture against the French giants at Rodney Parade on Saturday, January 20 (3pm).