At the end of 2020, Wales faced Scotland in their last game of the 2020 Six Nations and then England, Georgia and Italy in the Autumn Nations Cup at Parc y Scarlets.
Those matches were held in Llanelli because Principality Stadium was being used as the Dragon’s Heart Hospital to help fight the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now the home of Welsh rugby is back in use and will host Pivac’s men for home games against Ireland and England in this year’s Championship.
Pivac said: “For me, there is a big difference. The vibe around the place, the space, the room, it’s familiar territory for all the players and it has all that history of Test rugby.
“It’s a fantastic place for the Welsh players and management to be.
“We’re looking forward to getting back there. No crowds is a disappointment, but the stadium is the home of Welsh rugby and that’s where we want to be.”
Wayne Pivac during training with Wales
No crowds is a disappointment, but the stadium is the home of Welsh rugby and that’s where we want to be
Captain Jones added: “From a professional point of view our preparation will be back to normal. We don’t have to do things a little bit earlier and don’t have the extended drive down the M4.
“Part of me is disappointed we didn’t make international history at Parc y Scarlets. We did for a bit of it, but probably wanted some more positive history.
“It’s going to be nice to go back to Principality Stadium. It served a purpose. It’s where I like to play rugby for Wales for obvious reasons.
“Don’t ask me if I want the roof open or closed – I just want to be back in Cardiff!
“If you’re asking me whether we’ve got the best fans in the world then I’d say yes. To be in the middle of the pitch with 75,000 Welsh fans is a very special place to be. Will we miss them? Yes.
“Are they the best in the world? Most definitely.”
Alun Wyn Jones during training with Wales
If you’re asking me whether we’ve got the best fans in the world then I’d say yes. To be in the middle of the pitch with 75,000 Welsh fans is a very special place to be. Will we miss them? Yes
The ongoing coronavirus lockdown means unfortunately no fans will be allowed inside Principality Stadium.
Pivac added: “From my point of view coming into Test rugby with Wales and having been fortunate to have had crowds prior to the pandemic, I’d echo Al’s sentiments.
“Having come from New Zealand, the bus ride in and the singing are things which might be taken for granted. When they’re not there, you notice the difference.
“It’s hard to try and replicate game day and you never will. It’s a fantastic stadium with fans and there is nowhere else you’d want to be on match day.
“We’re in discussions with the match-day officials and we can add some content and things that we’d like to see. You want it to be as natural and as normal as possible so if that means having a band in the middle of the field, maybe we won’t have a band but we’ll have the music they play.
“There are some things to try and replicate and we are part of that process.”
Josh Adams and Leigh Halfpenny warm up for the game with Ireland
Jones – world rugby’s most capped player – said: “It is slightly strange because on the bus ride in we won’t have the fans.
“It is hard to replicate a match-day because they are special days, but just to be able to go back and play at the Principality is very special in current times.
“We were in Parc y Scarlets but to get back to normal as it were is going to be a boost in itself. It’s going to be even more special than it has been in the past because we haven’t we haven’t been able to in the previous campaign.”
Just to be able to go back and play at the Principality is very special in current times
