The derbies certainly delivered in Round 9 as five of the six went down to the final play, while the other was Leinster’s 14-try thriller against Ulster.
Bragging rights will be on the line once again this week over the course of the three days, from two Boxing Day derbies in Wales and culminating in a match-up of the Conference leaders at Thomond Park on Saturday.
In between you also have Ulster and Connacht looking to get back to winning ways, Benetton hoping to complete the double over Zebre and Glasgow Warriors with the chance to clinch the 1872 Cup away to Edinburgh.
Cardiff Blues v Dragons, Boxing Day:
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff | KO 15:00 | Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 2, SuperSport 1, DAZN, S4C, pro14.tv
- Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 181st competition game)
- Assistant Referees: Ben Whitehouse, Adam Jones (both WRU)
- TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)
- Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
It has been a while since a clash between Cardiff Blues and the Dragons had this much riding on it, but with the latter flying high under Dean Ryan, and the former right in the race for the Guinness PRO14 Final Series, Thursday’s clash at the Cardiff Arms Park has the potential to be a classic.
Dragons come into the game off the back of a dramatic win over the Scarlets, Sam Davies slotting the winning drop goal with the clock well into the red.
The Blues’ success at the Ospreys was a little more comfortable, but not much, as they ended their Liberty Stadium hoodoo with a 19-16 success.
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record:
Played 32, Blues won 24, Dragons won 8.
Did you know?
- Cardiff Blues have won their last three Guinness PRO14 matches since their home defeat to Munster on 2 November.
- The Blues 30-17 defeat of Toyota Cheetahs at the Arms Park in round 6 ended a three-game home losing run in the Championship.
- Cardiff Blues won both home games they played last season against fellow Welsh regions at the Arms Park.
- Dragons last gasp victory over Scarlets on Saturday evening ended a three-game losing run in Guinness PRO14.
- The Men from Gwent have won their last two matches against fellow Welsh regions in Guinness PRO14 but have only won three in succession once before, in December 2004.
- The last time Dragons won away from home against a fellow Welsh region in the Championship was on a visit to the Arms Park on Boxing Day five years ago.
- The Blues have won their last eight fixtures against Dragons since their near neighbours 23-17 victory at the Arms Park in 2014.
