Cardiff aim to drown out 'sea of Scarlet' in derby

Scarlets intend to keep making themselves at home in the capital to throw a spanner in the works of Cardiff's United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off push.

The west Walians have a formidable record on their travels to the Blue and Blacks.

Their last defeat at the Arms Park was in 2019 and they have won four on the spin since a 2021 loss at Cardiff City Stadium.

Scarlets are always roared on by plenty of support in the capital – with jibes about fans making the short stroll from one of the city's neighbourhoods – and that will be the case in a bumper crowd on Friday.

"Over the other side from the tunnel there is always a sea of Scarlet," said head coach Dwayne Peel.

"What did the PA announcer say last year? 'Scarlets fans have a safe trip back home to Pontcanna'.

"There are a lot of West Walians living in Cardiff and it is always a well-supported match for us.

"Our fans travel well, we had something like 500 in Bordeaux, it was class to see them. Their support is so important for us and to put on a show for them is important for us."

Cardiff will hope to rise to the occasion to maintain their perfect home record in 2025-26 and, temporarily at least, climb above Stormers to the top of the URC.

Corniel Van Zyl's side have not shied away from raising their poor Arms Park record against the Scarlets this week.

"I've played here for Scarlets as well," said Cardiff scrum-half Aled Davies. "I've been on the losing side in this fixture, so we'll see how it goes now.

"The west side will be a loud bunch and it should make a real atmosphere.

"Our record hasn't been great, we haven't beaten them here since 2019, so that's something we really need to change. Hopefully that's Friday night."

Cardiff have won five of six URC games this campaign to put themselves in a strong position to go at least one better than last season, when Scarlets pipped them to the play-offs by a point.

Welsh derbies can go a long way towards earning a place in the top eight with Dragons heading to the Arms Park on 26 December and a trip to Bridgend to face Ospreys on New Year's Day.

They head into the fixture buoyed by a dramatic home win against Ulster that means they will also chase qualification for the last 16 of the Challenge Cup in the new year.

"It has kept our momentum going ahead of a massive run of games with three consecutive Welsh derbies," said Van Zyl.

"We are in a good position in the league, which is nice to see, but it's all about taking it one game at a time and all that matters right now is the Scarlets.

"It's been a long time since we beat them at the Arms Park so that is a big motivation for the group."

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Wales internationals back from injury

Cardiff are boosted by the return of captain Liam Belcher, who starts at hooker as one of six changes after recovering from a neck injury suffered with Wales in the autumn.

Number eight Taulupe Faletau is on the bench after recovering from a knee injury that ruled him out of the November Tests.

Loose-head Danny Southworth, tight-head Javan Sebastian and lock Josh McNally come into the pack while wing Mason Grady and full-back Cam Winnett get the nod in the back three.

Wales flanker Alex Mann (illness) and scrum-half Johan Mulder (jaw) are back to join Faletau on a bench that features six forwards.

Scarlets are boosted by the return of Wales full-back Blair Murray, who missed both Champions Cup defeats to Bristol and Bordeaux-Begles through injury.

Peel rotated his squad for the 50-21 loss in France and brings back wing Tom Rogers, centre Johnny Williams and scrum-half Gareth Davies.

Centre or fly-half Joe Hawkins continues in the 10 jersey in the absence of Sam Costelow, whose ankle injury suffered in training this week could lead to a URC debut off the bench for academy prospect Elis Price.

Loose-head Kemsley Mathias, hooker Ryan Elias, tight-head Archer Holz and lock Sam Lousi return to the XV with Max Douglas and captain Josh Macleod switching to blind-side and openside flanker.

How they line up

Cardiff: Winnett; Adams, Millard, B Thomas, Grady; Sheedy, A Davies; Southworth, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Nott, Botham, D Thomas, Lawrence.

Replacements: E Lloyd, Barratt, Wainwright, Thornton, Mann, Faletau, Mulder, Beetham.

Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, James, J Williams, Mee; Hawkins, G Davies; Mathias, Elias, H Thomas, Lousi, Ball, Douglas, Macleod (capt), Anderson.

Replacements: Van Der Merwe, Hepburn, H O'Connor, Taylor, Davies, A Hughes, Price, J Roberts.

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)

Assistants: Ben Whitehouse & Ben Connor (Wales)

TMO: Keith David (Wales)