Welsh Pro Rugby's main sponsor BT Sport will help make it a Welsh derby day to remember for thousands of rugby supporters at the big European quarter-final with the creation of a buzzing Family Village at Rodney Parade.
Newport Gwent Dragons take on Cardiff Blues in the quarter-final of the European Rugby Challenge Cup at 12.45pm on Saturday 4th April with the celebrations at the first all-Welsh European quarter-final for more than 15 years kicking off early with Rodney Parade’s gates open at 11am.
With tickets still on sale and a sell-out crowd expected and to mark the big occasion for supporters of Welsh regional rugby, BT Sport is sponsoring a family village with a packed schedule of entertainment pre and post match on the green directly outside Rodney Parade.
The top-billing game for Welsh regional rugby will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 12.30pm with all the excitement of the big game day build-up coming from Rodney Parade’s Supporters Zone as thousands of Welsh rugby supporters celebrate another thrilling and historic Welsh derby.
The Village will host a central 1,000 capacity Supporters Zone marquee with BT Sport studio for live interviews and analysis pre and post match - as well as a live band and a range of fun activities for children with inflatables, fun-fair, face-painting and rugby skills games together with supporters bars and hospitality outside the ground.
BT Sport will also sponsor thousands of Euro quarter-final celebration flags for both sets of supporters to show their true colours which will be handed out free as people arrive for the game.
Welsh rugby’s popular presenter Sarra Elgan will receive a warm welcome back home in Wales to lead the broadcast for BT Sport along with Ben Kay, Shane Williams and Ryan Jones together with a host of high profile guests from both Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues.
Simon Green, Sport Channels Director, BT Sport said “We’re delighted to be supporting Welsh rugby, especially when two of the teams we support are battling it out for a place in the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup, exclusively live on BT Sport, we’re looking forward to a fantastic game.”
Stuart Davies, Chief Executive of the Newport Gwent Dragons said: “We’re delighted that BT Sport is showing such spirit and commitment to Welsh regional rugby and its supporters by getting really involved in what will be one of the most exciting Welsh derbies for a decade.
“For the Rodney Parade faithful, it’s going to be a huge day and we want to give our loyal supporters a great day out with family and friends – BT Sport’s Supporters Village will help create a real buzz in the ground and we hope make it a day to remember.”
Richard Holland, Chief Executive of the Cardiff Blues said: “We’re continuing to see great crowds for the Welsh derbies and the close rivalry and history between neighbouring teams always makes for a memorable occasion.
“We expect our Cardiff Blues supporters to be equally vocal on the day and add to the festival atmosphere and it’s positive to see BT Sport and BT Cymru Wales partnership with the Welsh Regions going from strength to strength – they’re certainly a pro-active and enthusiastic sponsor.”
Both sides have turned on the style in their journey to the quarter-final with Newport Gwent Dragons clocking up 240 points with five wins in the pool stages including the double over Stade Francais as well as wins over Newcastle Falcons and Bucharest. The Cardiff Blues broke records on their way to the last eight with 249 points from their six pool games including the memorable 104-12 win over Rovigo.
With the guarantee of a Welsh club in the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup – it’s going to be a thrilling and competitive contest for the two Welsh teams a week on Saturday to see who will be the victor in the East and go on to meet the winner of London Irish v Edinburgh.
Hosts Newport Gwent Dragons are encouraging supporters to make a day of it and arrive at Rodney Parade early with gates opening and entertainment starting from 11am.
An entertaining afternoon of Easter Welsh rugby will continue all day as Rodney Parade then plays host to another local derby with Newport v Crosskeys at 3.30pm.
For more information, the latest updates and to get your hands on the last remaining tickets for the big game please visit www.newportgwentdragons.com or purchase tickets by calling 01633 674990.