Round eight of the URC features seven of eight festive derbies on either side of Christmas.
The action got underway at Scotsoun Stadium where Glasgow Warriors beat Edinburgh on Friday night whilst Ulster pipped Connacht 20-19 in Belfast. Saturday saw Benetton claim victory against Zebre and Stormers a good win against the Bulls.
Boxing Day will see two Welsh derbies and Munster welcoming Leinster. So, which two Welsh sides will gain bragging rights over their dearest rivals?
Cardiff vs Dragons: 3:00 PM UK time | BBC Wales & Viaplay
The first Welsh derby of the festive period is set to be sold out, with over 12,000 tickets sold at the Cardiff Arms Park as Cardiff will be looking for their 18th consecutive league win over the Dragons.
Matt Sherratt’s side have been boosted with the return of flanker James Botham in one of two changes from their Champions Cup loss to Bath, with the other seeing Rhys Carre start ahead of Corey Domachowski.
Botham is joined by a promising duo in the backrow, with Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin starting alongside the Welsh international. Josh Adams will face up against his Wales teammate Rio Dyer on the wing, whilst Tomos Williams and Tinus De Beer remain as halfbacks.
Dai Flanagan has made seven changes, with Aaron Wainwright returning to the starting XV. Welsh internationals Leon Brown and Dan Lydiate are back from injury, whilst captain Steff Hughes moves to 13 to accommodate Aneurin Owen who starts at inside centre.
Lloyd Fairbrother starts at tighthead prop as he looks to make a bid for Six Nations squad selection, with Harrison Keddie and Taine Basham joining Wainwright in the back row.
Hopefully there will be a good atmosphere at the Arms Park following the spirited performance against Bath, yet I can’t see the Dragons ending their hoodoo here – Cardiff by 8.
Scarlets vs Ospreys: 5:15 PM UK time | S4C & ViaPlay
Scarlets and Wales fly-half Sam Costelow returns for his first start of the season following injury on international duty.
The 22-year old suffered a shoulder injury in Wales’ friendly win over the Barbarians in November after featuring for Warren Gatland’s side at the World Cup. Club captain Josh Macleod also makes his first start of the season at number 8, whilst Tongan international Sam Lousi starts at blindside flanker.
Ioan Lloyd is moved to fullback from fly-half, with a trio of Welsh internationals on the bench in Wyn Jones, Kieran Hardy and Jonathan Davies.
The Ospreys hold the bragging rights between the two West Wales sides, yet will be without Wales captain Jac Morgan for their trip to Parc Y Scarlets. A Keiran Williams brace in Swansea set the Ospreys on their way to a 31-9 win over the Scarlets last month.
Alongside Morgan, Toby Booth will also be without Nicky Smith as the injury list starts to grow for the visitors. Harri Deaves starts at openside to fill Morgan’s void, whilst Adam Beard takes over as captain.
Winger Keelan Giles is set to start after he was a late withdrawal before their defeat to Montpellier. Despite being named in the starting lineup, Morgan Morris has been ruled out injured as Morgan Morse starts at 8.
Giles is joined by Mat Protheroe and Jack Walsh in the back three, whilst Owen Watkin and George North remain in the midfield. Dewi Lake starts and will be up against Wales’ teammate Ryan Elias and Rhys Davies returns from injury to start at blindside flanker.
There’s another opportunity for Tristan Davies who’s on the bench, Dan Edwards is also named in the 23 after his try scoring display in November’s win over their rivals.
After a poor run of form which reached a low point with a defeat to Georgian side Black Lion in Europe, if the Scarlets fail to front up to the Ospreys pack, it could be a long evening.
Although, a home fixture against your biggest rivals is a perfect opportunity to make a statement to reignite a season – Scarlets by 2.
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