Tonight's rugby news as legend predicts more misery for Wales and major event returns to Principality Stadium
These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, January 17.
Judgement Day venue confirmed
Judgement Day is returning to the Principality Stadium for its 10th anniversary later this year, it has been confirmed.
Last year's event was moved to Cardiff City Stadium for the first time due to the home of Welsh rugby being unavailable, with the June fixtures clashing with concert season at the Principality. The event was criticised by some, with former Wales international Tom Shanklin questioning the official attendance figure of just over 20,000 and blaming the stadium's pitch for players slipping.
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However, as was expected, the double-header will return to its usual venue this year and will see the Ospreys face Cardiff and the Dragons take on the Scarlets in back-to-back fixtures on Saturday, April 19.
The Scarlets go into their meeting with Filo Tiatia's side with bragging rights having sealed a 32-15 derby win on New Years' Day, while the clash between Cardiff and the Ospreys on the same day ended as a 13-13 draw.
Tickets for this year's event go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, January 22, from 10am.
“Judgement Day is a cornerstone of Welsh rugby, and celebrating its 10th year is a momentous occasion," said WRU CEO Abi Tierney.
"It’s a testament to the passion of our supporters and the pride in our professional club teams. Principality Stadium will once again provide an electric atmosphere, and we can’t wait to welcome fans of all ages to revel in this unforgettable day of rugby.”
Legend predicts more Welsh misery
French rugby legend Thierry Dusautoir expects Wales' dire form to continue at the Six Nations, with the former flanker predicting Warren Gatland's side to finish bottom of the table again.
Wales suffered their first Six Nations whitewash since 2003 in last year's tournament and went on to lose every Test match they played in 2024. Despite this, Gatland believes that his side can end their rotten run in the coming weeks and even claimed that they could defy the odds and win the tournament.
But with Les Bleus up first in the tournament opener on January 31, Wales have been dealt a tough start and Dusautoir admitted he can't see anything else but a second successive Wooden Spoon for Gatland's men as he gave his tournament predictions.
"Number one, France, number two Ireland, number three England, number four Scotland, number five Italy, number six Wales," he told Genting Casino, as he predicted his country to beat reigning champions Ireland to the title.
"Andy Farrell’s absence creates a different dynamic [for Ireland]," said Dusautoir. "They didn't show the normal confidence and control that they used to show the past years during the autumn internationals, so maybe there will be an opportunity there.
"But besides France, who realistically will be able to beat them? I don't think Wales because they're not playing good rugby right now.
"I don't know about England because it's not the English team that we talked about some years ago, but they did well in New Zealand last summer and only lost by a few points. It’s true that maybe Ireland is not as good as they used to be. But they still have a good chance."
"Italy were quite interesting during the last Six Nations," he added. "They have some young and very promising backs. Italy are still improving and Gonzalo Quesada is doing a good job there. I remember last year they should have won against us. They deserved it, too.
"I hope that they're starting to build some consistency and to be able to show that they are playing better rugby right now. Their problem has been no consistency, up and down every year."
Wainwright out of Dragons clash
Wales back row Aaron Wainwright will miss the Dragons' clash with the Lions in the Challenge Cup on Saturday due to a leg injury.
The 27-year-old travelled to Johannesburg with the rest of the squad but has been left out of the side as a precaution, having been named in Gatland's Wales squad earlier this week.
The South Wales Argus reports that the No 8 has not played a full part in training due to the injury, but is expected to be fit in time for Wales' tournament opener against France on January 31.
Scrum-half Rhodri Lewis - who was also named in Gatland's squad - has remained in Wales to continue his recovery from a knee issue, with Elliot Dee the only Six Nations squad member taking to the field at Ellis Park tomorrow.
Tiatia's side are hoping to make it through to the last 16 of the Challenge Cup and face a straight shootout for a place with their South African opponents.
Aneurin Owen captains the side for the first time as he starts at inside centre, while Huw Anderson and Will Reed have been chosen at full-back and fly-half respectively and Ewan Rosser replaces his older brother Jared on the wing.
In the forwards, Ryan Woodman and Shane Lewis-Hughes return in the back row, while George Nott also starts at lock.
Dragons: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen (captain), Ewan Rosser; Will Reed, Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, George Nott, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Taine Basham.
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Paula Latu, Barny Langton-Cryer, George Young, Morgan Lloyd, Lloyd Evans, Harri Ackerman.
Scarlets make five changes as Rogers returns
Dwayne Peel has made five changes to his Scarlets team as they prepare to face RC Vannes for a place in the Challenge Cup knockout stages.
Wales international Tom Rogers returns from a groin injury to replace Ioan Lloyd at full-back, with Lloyd moving to fly-half after Sam Costelow injured his shoulder against Gloucester last weekend.
Rogers' return places him in a back three that were all included in Gatland's Six Nations squad this week, with Blair Murray and new cap Ellis Mee starting on the wings. Joe Roberts partners Eddie James in midfield, while Gareth Davies has been recalled at scrum-half.
In the forwards, Alec Hepburn is brought in to join Marnus van der Merwe and Henry Thomas in the front row, with Sam Lousi returning to the starting line-up to partner Max Douglas at lock. In the back row, Taine Plumtree is named at number eight with Vaea Fifita at blindside flanker.
Tighthead Gabe Hawley is named among the replacements after making his competitve debut last weekend, with Efan Jones and Charlie Titcombe also starting on the bench as half-back cover.
“Vannes’ position in the Top 14 isn’t reflective of how competitive they have been this season and they pushed Edinburgh last week having made a few changes from their Top14 side the week before," said Peel. "We have to get ourselves right mentally to be in that physical battle.
“It is a straight shootout, the pool is definitely the most competitive in the competition and hopefully we can finish well this week. We are home with our supporters behind us and qualification is in our control.”
Scarlets: Tom Rogers; Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Blair Murray; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Max Douglas, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Shaun Evans, Kemsley Mathias, Gabe Hawley, Alex Craig, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Charlie Titcombe, Ioan Nicholas.
