Christmas may have been and gone but the Guinness PRO14 is providing a New Year’s treat to rugby fans everywhere – another Derby Weekend.
Round 9 saw three festive derbies light up the league and Round 10 brings six enticing rivalry encounters across New Year’s Day and January 2nd.
With last week’s Scottish and Italian derbies postponed, all four of Edinburgh, Glasgow Warriors, Benetton and Zebre will be desperate to get back out on the pitch and finally lock horns with their fiercest rivals.
Those clashes at Stadio Monigo and BT Murrayfield take place on Saturday, the same day that all-conquering Leinster – who also saw their Round 9 contest postponed – welcome Connacht to the RDS, while Conference A leaders Ulster are gunning for a perfect ten wins from ten when they host fellow unbeaten outfit Munster.
Twenty-four hours prior, the Welsh regions take centre stage as they bring in the New Year with the first Guinness PRO14 matches of 2021 – Dragons travelling to Llanelli to square off against Scarlets and Cardiff Blues having decamped to Cardiff City Stadium for their game against Ospreys.
Scarlets v Dragons – Match Preview
Sitting third in Conference B, Scarlets have lost just once in their last four Guinness PRO14 matches – a narrow 26-24 reverse at Ulster in Round 7.
They now face a Dragons side whose two-match winning run was brought to an end on Boxing Day as Cardiff Blues beat them by just a single point, triumphing 13-12 at Rodney Parade.
Scarlets clearly enjoy a Welsh derby, having won the last five matches against their fellow regions, but Dean Ryan’s Dragons have won their last two away matches in the PRO14 and are looking for three consecutive road victories in the Championship for the first time since 2004.
However, they will have to overcome the weight of history in order to accomplish that feat as Dragons have visited Parc y Scarlets on 13 previous occasions in all tournaments but have never won.
Location:
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli | KO 5.15pm UK | Live on S4C, Premier Sports 1, pro14.tv
Officials:
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 187th competition game); Assistant Referees: Adam Jones, Gwyn Morris (both WRU); TMO: Wayne Davies (WRU).
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record:
Played 34, Scarlets won 27, Dragons won 7.
Did you know?
- Scarlets have lost just once in their last four Guinness PRO14 matches: 24-26 to Ulster in Belfast in Round seven.
- Scarlets have won their last five matches against fellow Welsh regions.
- Dragons defeat by the narrowest of margins at home to Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day ended their winning run at just two matches.
- Dragons have won their last two away games in the PRO14 and have not won three in succession on their travels in the Championship since 2004.
- Scarlets beat Dragons 41-20 at Rodney Parade in August to end a run of two successive defeats to the Men from Gwent.
- Dragons have visited Parc y Scarlets on 13 previous occasions in all tournaments but have never won.
