The excitement is starting to build already. Rugby is set finally to return to Wales this weekend and you couldn’t have asked for anything bigger, or more mouthwatering, than two rounds of derby matches.
Cardiff Blues head to Llanelli to face the Scarlets on Saturday and then the Ospreys host the Dragons the day after. The players will be chomping at the bit after spending the past five months in lockdown and then graduated training.
This weekend it will be the real thing and I’m expecting fireworks! The Welsh derbies are always feisty affairs and there will be plenty of jostling for position, not only among the players in each squad, but also on the national front with the prospect of so many international games on the horizon.
While all the players will be happy to get back to work, Wayne Pivac will be the most relieved person of all. He and his coaching team have had no players to work with at all over the past five months.
He has the final Six Nations game against Scotland to think about in October. Then there will hopefully be the mini-tournament in November and December to plan for.
Given the start he has had since taking over from Warren Gatland he will be looking to rediscover the winning formula. Having Liam Williams back in Wales at the Scarlets will be a bonus for him, as will having Jonathan and James Davies fully fit again, but there are still worries over Ellis Jenkins and Gareth Anscombe.
He’ll be counting in the wounded warriors who were carrying injuries back in March, and looking to see if there is any new talent ready to emerge. One thing is certain, everyone should be fighting fit at the weekend.
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