Cardiff Blues will host the Ospreys at Rodney Parade as they draw the curtain on their 2019-20 Guinness PRO14 season.
With Cardiff Arms Park remaining a part of Dragon’s Heart Hospital at the Principality Stadium an alternative venue was required for the resumption of rugby.
The PRO14 will return with two derby rounds behind-closed-doors to form an abbreviated finale to the Championship season.
Cardiff Blues will travel to face the Scarlets on Saturday, August 22, before welcoming the Ospreys to Rodney Parade, home of the Dragons, on Sunday, August 30.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland said: “We are obviously happy to continue supporting Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with the Dragon’s Heart Hospital but that meant we needed a new venue to play this game.
“Taking the game elsewhere in the region was not a realistic option due to the the necessary compliance with Covid-19 protocols and our vast commercial obligations.
“Rodney Parade will obviously be fully Covid-19 compliant, has LED boards and boasts a fantastic playing surface.
“We are very grateful to our friends at the Dragons, who have come to our aid and we are now looking forward to getting back on the pitch.”
The Cardiff Blues senior squad reported for limited strength and conditioning training on July 3.
They will now continue through a phased return to training in preparation for the August games in line with Welsh Government, WRU and PRO14 guidelines.
Mark Jones, Managing Director at Dragons, said: “We have always been fierce rivals on the field, but in these unprecedented times it is important that we can come together and support each other.
“We have come to an agreement that will see Cardiff Blues play their final home game of the Guinness PRO14 season at Rodney Parade and we look forward to welcoming them to our home.
“As one of the busiest stadiums in the United Kingdom, we are used to hosting back-to-back fixtures and I know the staff here will once again rise to the challenge as rugby returns to Rodney Parade.”
Round 14 kicks-off with the Italian derby between Benetton Rugby and Zebre, with all fixtures broadcast live on Premier Sport over the two weekends.
David Jordan, Tournament Director of the Guinness PRO14, said: “So far we have been encouraged by the developments that have allowed all of our teams to return to training. Thanks to the great efforts of our clubs and unions, the willingness of governments and the support of our broadcasters we now have a fixture list to look forward to.
“Everyone who makes our games possible has had to adapt to a new way of working under the restrictions of the pandemic and the response of all our key stakeholders has been very impressive. With these fixtures now confirmed we are all geared to safe delivery of these games and to the welcome return of rugby after such a long period without the sport.”
Guinness PRO14 Restart Fixtures – Round 14 & 15
- All games live on Premier Sports, eir Sport & DAZN. Live game on TG4 indicated below
- All kick-off times listed at UK/IRE unless stated
Round 14
Friday, August 21
Benetton Rugby v Zebre | Stadio Monigo, Treviso at 19:00 (20:00 ITA)
Saturday, August 22
Scarlets v Cardiff Blues | Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli at 15:00 UK Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors | BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh at 17:15 Leinster v Munster | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 19:35
Sunday, August 23
Ospreys v Dragons | Liberty Stadium, Swansea at 14:15 Connacht v Ulster | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 16:30 (live on TG4)
Round 15
Friday, August 28
Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh | BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh at 19:35
Saturday, August 29
Dragons v Scarlets | Rodney Parade, Newport at 17:15 Ulster v Leinster | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 19:35
Sunday, August 30
Munster v Connacht | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 15:00
Cardiff Blues v Ospreys | Rodney Parade, Newport at 17:00
Zebre v Benetton Rugby | Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma at 19:00 UK (20:00 ITA)
Guinness PRO14 Final Series
Semi-Finals: To be played on the weekend of September 4/5/6 Finals: To be played on Saturday, September 12