It’s the most wonderful time of the year again – Derby Weekend.
Rivalries will be renewed, and old scores settled in five enthralling contests from across the Championship this Christmas, ranging from Limerick to Parma via Galway and Newport.
Saturday brings four enticing matches, with Zebre and Benetton kicking things off in Italy before Dragons host Cardiff Blues, Ospreys face Scarlets and Munster do battle with Leinster.
The 1872 Cup contest between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh has been postponed, leaving Connacht and Ulster as Sunday’s sole game.
Dragons v Cardiff Blues – Match Preview
Cardiff Blues dominate their head-to-head record with Dragons but face a tall task at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon.
Dragons are seeking a third straight Guinness PRO14 win for the first time since 2014/15, while the Blues have only won one of their last six league matches.
The Blues have not lost to Dragons in six years though, winning each of their last ten games against the Men of Gwent, and lead the overall head-to-head 25-8.
Both sides sit fourth in their respective conferences but it’s the Blues who can still dream of a top-two finish.
They are just six points behind Connacht in Conference B, while Dragons are 22 points adrift of high-flying Leinster in Conference A.
Location:
Rodney Parade, Newport
TV:
Live on S4C, Premier Sports 1, pro14.tv
Officials:
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 15th competition game); Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens, Dan Jones (both WRU); TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU).
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record:
Played 33, Dragons won 8, Cardiff won 25
Did you know?
- Dragons have won their last two Guinness PRO14 fixtures and have not won three in succession in the Championship since season 2014/15.
- Dragons have won just once at Rodney Parade in any competition since February; 26-18 against Zebre on 9 October.
- Cardiff Blues have won just once in the last six rounds of the Guinness PRO14; 22-5 over Benetton at Rodney Parade in Round 6.
- The Blues have won only once ‘away from home’ in 2020, 16-6 at Zebre on 7 October.
- Cardiff Blues have won their last ten encounters with Dragons in the Championship since the Men from Gwent were triumphant 23-17 at Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day 2014.
