JDVI set to raise the roof

Judgement Day, the annual double-header played out under the Principality Stadium roof on Saturday 28th April, is on target to once again rival a famous Wales international match-day out in Cardiff – but one in regional colours for added spice.

The back-to-back Guinness PRO12 derbies were attended by 60,642 supporters last season and more than 35,000 have purchased tickets (which are £10-per-head) already for the sixth incarnation of Welsh professional rugby’s flagship event, with over a month still to go until kick-off.

Thrills and spills are guaranteed for JDVI when the Dragons and Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys face-off for the finale to the conference stages of the now Guinness PRO14 competition, with European Champions Cup play-off places also on the line.

The all Welsh contests kick-off at 3.05pm when defending champions Scarlets start as firm favourites against the Dragons, who, in five previous attempts, are yet to taste victory in the showpiece encounters.

The two teams are currently at opposite ends of the points table in Conference B of the competition, with Scarlets in second place behind Leinster, while the Dragons have only Southern Kings below them.

“Judgement Day has become a great event for Welsh rugby supporters and is a fantastic opportunity for young players to experience the atmosphere at Principality Stadium,” said Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac, who saw his side lift the Guinness PRO12 trophy with a 22–46 victory of Munster in Dublin last year.

“It’s promising to be a thrilling finale to the regular Guinness PRO14 season; we’ll be looking for a positive result that will help secure a place in the knockout stages.”

But the Dragons are targeting their West Wales rivals in equal measure and have unfinished business at Principality Stadium according to back row Lewis Evans.

“We always look forward to the Judgement Day clash. It’s a big game against one of our local rivals and it’s a fantastic experience for both the team and the fans,” said Evans.

“I have played in two of the five matches at the Stadium and on those two occasions I have led the boys out onto the pitch.

“I was captain the first time I played there and I remember it being the most ferocious 5-10 minutes of play – we have always put in a decent performance, and when we look back to last year’s match we know that it’s a game that we should’ve won. “

As it’s our last game of the season, it would be nice to finish on a high. I think that the Dragons have unfinished business at the Principality Stadium and we certainly owe it to ourselves and our fans to get the win!”

And, with spots also up for grabs for the summer tour of USA and Argentina, there is plenty of added incentive for the Dragons to pull off a shock. Dragons head coach and former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman is eagerly looking forward to his first taste of the event.

“It will be my first Judgement Day event, but I’ve heard great things. There is obviously a lot of rugby to be played between now and then, but it’s an event we are all looking forward to.”

After the Scarlets and the Dragons have kicked off proceedings for the first time since year one (2013), the second fixture of the day sees the Blues take on the Ospreys (KO 17.35hrs).

The Ospreys will be looking for revenge after the Cardiff Blues triumphed over their rivals at the event for the first time last season with a 35-17 victory.

“We’re all looking forward to what should be a really big day for Welsh rugby and, in particular, a cracking contest between ourselves and the Blues,” said interim Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke.

“With a big crowd at the Principality Stadium and two big rivals going head to head, it’s an exciting prospect. It’ll be my first experience of Judgement Day and, hopefully, it will be a positive one for Ospreys Rugby.”

By their usual high standards, the Ospreys haven’t reached the heights of recent seasons and will be determined to finish the campaign on a high note, but along with the Blues, they will be fully aware the game could be critical when it comes to finalising European Champions Cup places for next season.

“With Judgement Day VI just around the corner it is great to have so much to play for at Cardiff Blues,” said coach, Danny Wilson who will be looking for a positive send-off in what could be his final game in charge at the Blues.

“We are fighting for a PRO14 play-off spot and are just a week away from a European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh.

“The month ahead is certainly an exciting one and it is a challenge we will all relish and the opportunity to round it off with a Welsh derby on Judgement Day at Principality Stadium is brilliant.

“It was a great occasion last season as we beat the Ospreys and we are looking forward to returning there.

“On a personal note it could also be my final game in charge at Cardiff Blues so it will certainly be one to savour.”

Blues, Wales and British & Irish Lions veteran prop Gethin Jenkins is also looking to end the season on a high.

“Judgement Day is always a great occasion at the Principality Stadium and one we all look forward to,” added Jenkins. 

“We produced a really good performance in the game last year and it will be a big challenge again to get the same result. “It would be brilliant to finish the season on a winning note in front of such a big crowd.”

Judgement Day is organised in joint partnership between the WRU, Pro Rugby Wales, Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys.

Tickets are on-sale now from www.wru.wales/tickets or via each of the four regions, prices are £10 for each seat in the ground with a £1-per-ticket online booking fee, as well as postage (Print at home etickets are also available), payable at the time of purchase.