First up will be Danny Wilson’s resurgent Cardiff Blues against the Ospreys, with the Newport Gwent Dragons facing the play-off chasing Scarlets in the second encounter. By the end of the day it will be clearer which region will bag a ticket into the Champions Cup next season.
“It was fantastic last year, the bus ride in felt like an international day and the streets were lined with fans. This year the event has grown again and we’ve got more than 60,000 fans coming to the stadium,” said Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy.
“There is always massive passion around a derby game and it is something we are all very excited about. It’s great for the younger players to be involved in such a great spectacle, but it’s a game we have to win.”
“We have certainly got the most to gain and the most to lose,” admitted Scarlet shed coach Wayne Pivac, whose team are sitting in fifth place, two points off the play-off places.
“There is a Champions Cup place at stake and we’d like to get a result and put that to bed this weekend. We know it is going to be a massive challenge and a great occasion with a lot at stake.
“The Dragons were magnificent in Montpellier last weekend. Their defence has been very, very good in the last three games and you can tell there is a real desire and passion in their group – they’ve come a long way in a short space of time.”
The equation is simple for the Blues, two wins from their final two games and they are in the next season’s Champions Cup. But they will have to do what they haven’t done for six years – beat the Ospreys.
Head coach Danny Wilson said: “We’ve given ourselves an opportunity to get into the European Champions Cup after a slow start to the season. We are fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead after playing a series of derbies in recent weeks.
“Our derby run has culminated in this big game, and it’s one we’re really excited and motivated about.”
The Dragons may only have pride to play for in the Guinness PRO12, but they can play a key role in the fate of their regional rivals.
Dragons head coach Kingsley Jones said: “This is the fourth massive game we’ve had in-a-row, and that’s what it’s all about. We have enough fuel in the tank to go for a big win at the Principality Stadium, the boys are motivated.”
