….and it’s going to be absolutely massive!
The biggest crowd at a regional rugby crowd in two years is set to pack into the Liberty Stadium on Saturday for the big South Wales Evening Post Challenge Cup clash against the Scarlets (5.15pm KO).
We’ve rounded up all the stats, facts and figures, and crucial information to get you in the mood for the big game.
Ospreys v Scarlets in numbers
In 23 matches since 2003 between the two regions….
The Ospreys have won 15, the Scarlets 7, with one game drawn
The Ospreys have scored 510 points to the Scarlets 347
The Scarlets only victory over Ospreys in their last dozen encounters was 22-12 at Parc y Scarlets on Boxing Day 2011, whilst the only occasion that Scarlets have ever been triumphant at Liberty Stadium came on 11th September 2007
The Ospreys have won the last 16 games against Welsh regions in the PRO12, with the most recent defeat to a Welsh side in the competition coming against the Dragons in January 2012
The last time the Ospreys were defeated by a Welsh region at the Liberty Stadium in the PRO12 was also against Dragons, in October 2010
The Scarlets have not won away from home in any tournament since a trip to Treviso in the PRO12 in February whilst they have not upset a fellow Welsh Region at their regular home ground since beating Blues at the Arms Park in December 2012
The Ospreys have won their last eight PRO12 fixtures at Liberty Stadium in all competitions
Weather Forecast
The BBC weather forecast for Saturday (as of 1.00pm Boxing Day) says that it will a cold day, with wintry showers to start, becoming drier and brighter ahead of kick-off with the showers easing well before kick-off at 5.15pm.
Temperatures during match time should range between 0c and 3c so remember to wrap up warm.
Ticket Office
The East and West Stands are sold out and the largest crowd at regional rugby ground for two years is confirmed, but there are plenty of tickets still available so there’s no need to panic!
The Ticket Office will be open from 10am on Saturday. A large walk-up is anticipated on match day but, understandably, the Ticket Office is limited to how many customers it can serve at a time, so the advice is if you intend purchasing on the day on arrival, then please ensure you arrive early to account for any congestion at the Ticket Office.
Far easier is to purchase yours online now at www.ospreysrugby.com/buyickets and use the print at home option, which means you bring your tickets with you and avoid the inevitable match day queues at the Ticket Office.
If you have any ticketing enquries at all please note that they should be directed to the Ticket Office on 0844 815 6665.
Parking
With the highest Ospreys crowd of the season, and the biggest at a regional rugby ground in two years, already confirmed, the approach roads to the Liberty Stadium are expected to be busier than usual. Please keep in mind that the Morfa Parc Shopping Centre is also anticipated to be busy due to sales traffic.
Please note that there is no on site parking available at the Liberty Stadium unless pre-booked. Supporters are advised to use one of the following authorised, council operated car parks for safety and security:
- Park and Ride at Felindre, J46 of the M4 (exit motorway and follow the signs)
- Park and Walk site at Landore, adjacent to the city centre Park and Ride site
- Park and Walk next to Swansea Tennis Centre
Parking restrictions in residential areas close to the Liberty Stadium are being enforced so supporters should please ensure they are parked legally at all times.
Eastside Food Bank Collection
The Ospreys are calling on the local community to help make sure no one goes hungry in Ospreylia this festive season.
Supporters attending the highly anticipated Ospreys V Scarlets derby match at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 27th December are being asked to bring along with them an item of non perishable – dried or tinned - food to donate to Eastside Food Bank, to support some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
Collections will be taken for an hour before the match, positioned at the entrances to the stadium.
Suggested items to donate could include dried milk, instant mash, soups, rice and pasta meals, jam, marmalade, tea, instant coffee, instant hot chocolate, savoury biscuits and crackers.
Eastside Food Bank is based in the Bonymaen area of Swansea and provides emergency food to people in crisis, including homeless people but also families on low income, those who are self-employed or have recently been made redundant.
Collecting non-perishable goods in advance will allow Eastside Food Bank to prepare for their toughest and most demanding month of the year.