Dragons on the other hand are attempting to achieve a season's League double over the Scarlets for the first time since regional rugby was introduced, an achievement that may be difficult as Scarlets have won four of their last five outings in the Magners League.
The conclusion of the round also gives the Welsh teams the chance to return to the top of the Magners League table. Victory for Blues will see them leapfrog over Leinster to reclaim the top spot they held earlier in the season, whilst a Blues loss and Scarlets bonus point win would see the West Walian team head the table at the start of 2008.
The remaining two Round 9 Magners League fixtures will be played over the New Year when Cardiff Blues travel to Ospreys on 31 December, and Newport Gwent Dragons host Llanelli Scarlets on New Year's Day.
Both home teams will be looking for victory over the bank holiday, having lost in their previous festive outings this week, also Welsh Regional derbies, however Ospreys recent Magners League record against the Blues points towards an away victory, although Ospreys have an impressive home record at the Liberty Stadium.
Dragons on the other hand are attempting to achieve a season's League double over the Scarlets for the first time since regional rugby was introduced, an achievement that may be difficult as Scarlets have won four of their last five outings in the Magners League.
The conclusion of the round also gives the Welsh teams the chance to return to the top of the Magners League table. Victory for Blues will see them leapfrog over Leinster to reclaim the top spot they held earlier in the season, whilst a Blues loss and Scarlets bonus point win would see the West Walian team head the table at the start of 2008.
Monday 31 December
OSPREYS v CARDIFF BLUES
At Liberty Stadium, 2.05pm. Live on BBC Sport Wales and Setanta Sports.
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU). Touch Judges: Tim Hayes (WRU), Steve Edwards (WRU).
TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)
|
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
O |
C |
Ospreys scorers |
Cardiff Blues scorers |
|
Sat 25 Oct 03 |
Arms Park |
6 |
43 |
Gavin Henson(2P) |
Lee Abdul(4T) Jamie Robinson(2T) Nick Robinson(5C/P) |
|
Sun 28 Mar 04 |
St Helen's |
34 |
13 |
Shaun Connor(T) Andy Newman(T) Gavin Henson(T/2C/5P) |
Jonny Vaughton(T) Nick Robinson(C/2P) |
|
Sat 18 Sep 04 |
The Gnoll |
39 |
3 |
Duncan Jones(T) David Bishop(T) Jason Spice(T) Gavin Henson(T/4C/2P) Sonny Parker(T) |
Lee Thomas(P) |
|
Sat 1 Jan 05 |
Arms Park |
15 |
9 |
Richie Pugh(T) Jason Spice(T) Gavin Henson(C/P) |
Nick Macleod(3P) |
|
Thu 22 Dec 05 |
Liberty Stadium |
9 |
28 |
Shaun Connor(2P) Adrian Cashmore(P) |
Deiniol Jones(T) Chris Czekaj(T) Craig Morgan(T) Nick Robinson(2C/3P) |
|
Fri 3 Mar 06 |
Arms Park |
14 |
40 |
James Bater(T) Shaun Connor(2D) Gavin Henson(P) |
Nick Robinson(T/3C/3P) Chris Czekaj(3T) Jamie Robinson(T) |
|
Wed 13 Sep 06 |
Liberty Stadium |
18 |
16 |
Shane Williams(T) Ryan Jones(T) Richie Pugh(T) Gavin Henson(P) |
Nick Robinson(T/C/2D/P) |
|
Sat 23 Dec 06 |
Arms Park |
24 |
30 |
Ian Evans(T) Gavin Henson(C/4P) Filo Tiatia(T) |
Ben Blair(2T/3C/3P) Nick Robinson(T) |
|
Fri 31 Aug 07 |
Arms Park |
15 |
17 |
Shaun Connor(5P) |
Nick Robinson(4P) Rhys Williams(T) |
Ospreys loss at Stradey Park ended a three game winning run for the Swansea based team. Ospreys only home loss since September was 19-26 to Leinster on 23 November. Ospreys have lost their last three encounters against fellow Welsh teams.
Cardiff Blues have won three of their last four matches in all competitions. The Blues have won their last three matches against fellow Welsh regions in 2007-08.
Ospreys have won just one of their last five games against the Blues in the Magners League.
Tuesday 1 January
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS v LLANELLI SCARLETS
At Rodney Parade, 4.10pm. Live on Setanta Sports and S4/C.
Referee: James Jones (WRU). Touch Judges: Hugh Watkins (WRU), David Bodilly (WRU).
TMO: Neil Ballard (WRU)
|
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
N |
L |
Newport Gwent Dragons scorers |
Llanelli Scarlets scorers |
|
Sat 6 Sep 03 |
Stradey Park |
11 |
35 |
Jason Forster(T) Brett Davey(2P) |
Scott Quinnell(2T) Gareth Bowen(2C/6P) Barry Davies(D) |
|
Fri 13 Feb 04 |
Rodney Parade |
15 |
9 |
Percy Montgomery(5P) |
Gareth Bowen(3P) |
|
Fri 17 Sep 04 |
Rodney Parade |
15 |
0 |
Ceri Sweeney(5P) |
- |
|
Sat 1 Jan 05 |
Stradey Park |
26 |
35 |
Kevin Morgan(T) Michael Owen(T) Ceri Sweeney(2C/4P) |
Matthew Watkins(2T) Dafydd Jones(2T) Gareth Bowen(3C/D/2P) |
|
Fri 23 Dec 05 |
Rodney Parade |
16 |
28 |
Rhys Oakley(T) Ceri Sweeney(C/3P) |
Dafydd Jones(T) Dafydd James(T) Craig Dunlea(T) Mike Hercus(2C/3P) |
|
Sat 22 Apr 06 |
Stradey Park |
17 |
36 |
Leigh Hinton(P) Nathan Brew(T) Jason Forster(T) Aled Thomas(2C) |
Mark Jones(3T) Ceiron Thomas(2C) Dafydd James(2T) Lee Byrne(T) Mike Hercus(C) |
|
Tue 12 Sep 06 |
Rodney Parade |
22 |
23 |
Nathan Brew(T) Ceri Sweeney(C/D/4P) |
Gavin Evans(2T) Ceiron Thomas(T) Stephen Jones(C/2P) |
|
Fri 23 Mar 07 |
Stradey Park |
11 |
35 |
Ceri Sweeney(2P) Kevin Morgan(T) |
James Bater(T) Barry Davies(T) Mark Jones(T) Ceiron Thomas(T/2C/2P) Dafydd James(T) |
|
Sat 1 Sep 07 |
Stradey Park |
30 |
23 |
Phil Dolman(C) Andy Williams(T) Rhys M. Thomas(T) Aled Thomas(2C/3P) Gareth Wyatt(T) |
Iestyn Thomas(T) Ceiron Thomas(2C/3P) Garan Evans(T) |
Newport Gwent Dragons' only victory in their last nine games in all competitions since October was 35-33 in Treviso in the European Cup on 8 December. Dragons have won just one of their last seven matches against fellow Welsh regions.
Llanelli Scarlets have won four of their last five games in the Magners League. The Scarlets have not won away from home since a 52-23 victory against Leinster at the RDS on 5 October.
Dragons beat the Scarlets 30-23 at Stradey Park on 1 September and are attempting to achieve a season's double over the Scarlets for the first time since regional rugby was introduced.
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