While all eyes in European rugby were focussed on the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup finals in Twickenham last weekend, the fight for the Guinness PRO12 title and qualification for the Champions Cup will be top of the rugby agenda this week.
And the new WRU chairman is hoping that the encouraging signs at the Millennium Stadium of fans returning to watch regional rugby will be carried on when the title chasing Ospreys host top of the table Glasgow Warriors at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night and the Champions Cup chasing Scarlets host Cardiff Blues at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday.
The Dragons are also in action at Rodney Parade on Friday night with a grudge match against Edinburgh Rugby, the side who beat them in the semi-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup. If they can beat Edinburgh they will do the Scarlets a huge favour in their race for sixth place.
“If the crowd at Judgement Day lll was very encouraging the reality is that the regions need near capacity gates every week to keep on improving and to keep up with the other countries in Europe,” said Davies.
“It would be fantastic if the Ospreys were able to beat Glasgow Warriors at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night and earn themselves a home semi-final. A big turn-out for that match could really make a difference in what is going to be one of the biggest games of the season in the regular PRO12 league programme.
“The way the Ospreys have been playing they look to have the game plan, experience and tenacity to possibly repeat their four previous title triumphs. A fifth would be a huge achievement for Welsh rugby.
“There must have been a large proportion of Ospreys fans in the 52,762 who turned up at the Millennium Stadium, so why not head to Swansea next week and see if you can help to top the best gate of the season, 15,732, to show Glasgow just how passionate Welsh fans can be.”
While the Ospreys are once again on the title trail, the Scarlets are trying to hold onto their Champions Cup status after 19 consecutive seasons at the top table of European rugby. If they win their final two games, at home to the Blues and away at Benetton Treviso in the final round, they will join the Ospreys in the major tournament next season by finishing in the top six.
“There is no doubt the new qualification rules for Europe have made a big different to the PRO12. Even though they can’t make the play-offs, there is still a huge prize for the Scarlets to play for,” said Davies.
“From a Welsh rugby perspective, the more teams we have playing in the Champions Cup the better. We certainly don’t want to be going down to one team having had three, four or five per season in the past.
“It was good to hear from the Scarlets skipper Ken Owens that his side intends to fight to the end to hold on to their Champions Cup status. Their final two matches have suddenly turned into two Cup Finals.
“They won’t be expecting the Blues to do them any favours and so it looks like being another great Welsh derby at Parc y Scarlets – and another game that deserves a big crowd. It may be a bit premature to suggest everyone has fallen back in love with regional rugby, but there have been encouraging signs and the players are certainly doing their best to deliver more success.”
