And the four clubs are bracing themselves for another spike in interest this week when the fixtures for the new-look Guinness PRO14 are released and the pre-season friendlies begin. The Dragons are heading to France for five days, culminating in games against Montpellier on Friday and Northampton Saints on Saturday.
The Ospreys kick-off their campaign at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field on Friday night when they host Leicester Tigers, while reigning PRO12 champions the Scarlets head to Llandovery for a local derby against their regional Premiership Select XV. The Blues don’t start until 19 August, when they head to London Scottish.
The Scarlets have been proudly parading the Guinness PRO12 trophy around their region, taking it to more than 100 schools to date, and also had it with them at the Royal Welsh Show and at the National Eisteddfod on Anglesey. It will also be with them at the Pembrokeshire Show.
All their Town End packages have sold-out and there are only a handful of their Stradey Packages left. Premier packages, offering a seat in either the North or South stand, are also selling well and all information on how to buy your season ticket to watch the champions play is available here: SCARLETS
The Ospreys, semi-finalists in the PRO12 last season, have James Hook back in their squad this season and have added Wales’ international centre Cory Allen following his move from the Blues. They have almost reached their season ticket sales targets for the new campaign and are hoping for record numbers.
They have been drawn with Cardiff Blues in Pool A in the new style tournament along with newcomers the Cheetahs. Full details on how to buy your Ospreys season ticket can be found here: OSPREYS
Cardiff Blues reached the semi-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup last season and will be looking to build on the progress made under head coach Danny Wilson as they attempt to bring through the clutch of highly talented home grown players that are pushing for first-team places. Full details on their season ticket packages can be found here: BLUES
The Dragons will have a new pitch on which to play this season and more than £500,000 has been spent around the Rodney Parade ground since the take-over. It all adds up to an even better experience in the coming season for both players and spectators.
New head coach Bernard Jackman says he wants to play an exciting brand of positive, attacking rugby and the response from the fans to date has been superb. Full details on how to follow the Dragons at Rodney Parade this season can be found here: DRAGONS
REGIONAL PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
Friday, 11 August
Ospreys v Leicester Tigers – Bridgend Ford Brewery Field (19:30)
Montpellier v Dragons – Stade Saint Afrique, Aveyron (20:00 local time)
Saturday, 12 August
Northampton Saints v Dragons – Franklin’s Gardens (15:00)
Scarlets v Scarlets Premiership Select XV – Church Bank, Llandovery (16:00)
Exeter Chiefs v Dragons – Sandy Park (15:30)
Saturday, 19 August
Bristol Rugby v Scarlets – Clifton (14:30)
London Scottish v Cardiff Blues – Richmond (15:00)
Sunday, 20 August
Ospreys v Bath Rugby – Liberty Stadium (14:00)
Friday, 25 August
Cardiff Blues v Exeter Chiefs – Arms Park (19:15)
Leicester Tigers v Ospreys – Welford Road (19:45)
Gloucester Rugby v Scarlets – Kingsholm (19:45)
