Y Clwb Rygbi provides action-packed coverage from the Magners League, Heineken Cup, the Principality Premiership and Konica Minolta Cup.
The Blues' last ever match at Cardiff Arms Park will be the highlight of S4C's rugby coverage this weekend as the Channel broadcasts three live Magners League games.
The region will relocate to a new home as of next season, when the capital's rugby and football teams share a new stadium in Leckwith.
But S4C will first of all capture a truly historic sporting occasion on Sunday afternoon as the Blues welcome Edinburgh for an exciting finale to the season (3.35pm).
After losing heavily to the Scarlets on Wednesday evening, the Blues will be determined to say farewell to the Arms Park in celebratory style.
S4C will also feature two Magners League games on Saturday. The double-bill kicks off at 5.30pm with Leinster's visit to Rodney Parade to face the Dragons. Then at 7.30pm, the Scarlets welcome Ulster to Parc y Scarlets.
Although Munster were crowned Champions some weeks ago, there's still plenty of excitement at the bottom on the league. The Dragons will see the Leinster match as vital preparation for their play-off match in Italy as they battle for their place in next season's Heineken Cup competition.
Presenter Gareth Roberts will enjoy all the action from the weekend's games live from the playing fields, alongside the commentary team of Huw Llywelyn Davies and Gwyn Jones. Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Brynmor Williams will analyse the match, with Derwyn Jones in the studio with all the reaction to the games.
But rugby fans fear not as S4C is about to kick off a summer of quality rugby. The summer of rugby includes terrestrial highlights of the Heineken Cup final, highlights of Wales' test match against Canada, live coverage of US Eagles versus Wales and exclusive terrestrial highlights of all the British and Irish Lions' matches in South Africa.
Y Clwb Rygbi: Dragons v Leinster
Saturday, 16 May, 5.30pm
Y Clwb Rygbi: Scarlets v Ulster
Saturday, 16 May, 7.30pm
Y Clwb Rygbi: Blues v Edinburgh
Sunday, 17 May, 3.35pm
Wednesday, 13 May, 7.25pm
S4C will broadcast live for the penultimate clash at Cardiff Arms Park as the Cardiff Blues challenge the Scarlets. The presentation team on the night will be Gareth Roberts, Huw Llywelyn Davies and Gwyn Jones.
Live Swalec Cup final from the Welsh rugby amphitheatre - the Millennium Stadium - as Llanelli meet the current holders Neath in what is tipped to be a fierce battle. Neath beat Swansea 32-16 in the semi-finals, as Llanelli enjoyed a narrow victory against Aberavon, 26-23. Can Llanelli steal the Cup for the 14th time or will the Welsh All Blacks keep hold of the coveted title? Join Gareth Roberts and Y Clwb Rygbi team for all the action. Kick off is at 6.00pm.
There's a special double-bill of Magners League rugby on S4C this Sunday where the stakes are still high. Although Munster have since been crowned this season's champions, the fight is on at the bottom half of the table between the Blues, Dragons and the Scarlets, to secure a Heineken Cup place next season. Fresh from their nail-biting Heineken Cup semi-final defeat against Leicester, the Cardiff Blues challenge the champions, Munster, in the Welsh capital (4.35pm). Also on Sunday, the Ospreys welcome Glasgow to the Liberty Stadium (2.35pm). With Robin McBryde and his coaching team announcing the squad that tours the US and Canada on 11 May, the Welsh players will be looking to make an impression.
The Ospreys travel to the Scarlets new home for the first time on Saturday, fresh from their disappointing defeat to Munster in the Heineken Cup. The Magners League clash from Parc y Scarlets will be shown live and exclusively on S4C with Gareth Roberts at the helm and Huw Llywelyn Davies and former Wales captain Gwyn Jones providing expert commentary. Brynmor Williams is the man in the van analyzing the full eighty minutes while Sarra Elgan will be reporting from pitch-side. With the Scarlets hoping to better their recent performances and the Ospreys looking to close the gap on the top of the league, this should be a great battle.
There's a double-bill of rugby on S4C this week featuring both Magners League and the Welsh Principality Premiership action. Gareth Roberts presents live coverage of both matches. On Saturday afternoon, Nigel Davies and the Scarlets host the Glasgow Warriors for a nail-biting clash - with both teams needing to leave with points. Huw Llywelyn Davies and Gwyn Jones will offer expert analysis on the game, with the man-in-the-van Brynmor Williams analysing every kick, ruck and maul. The Scarlets are out of the Heineken Cup and out of the EDF Energy Cup - the Magners League is all they have left to win. Meanwhile, on Friday night, the team are live from St Helens, Swansea, where leaders Llanelli visit their neighbours. Will Swansea be able to dismantle Llanelli's position at the top of the table or will the red shirts be too much for the home side?
With a new, exciting season of rugby on its way on S4C, everybody's already talking about potential winners and the stars of the coming months in the Magners League. We asked the S4C people in the know who they're tipping. We'll see who's right at the end of the season…
I am looking forward very much to the season which promises to be extremely exciting. The Magners League at last looks a mouth-watering prospect. The current Heineken Cup winners and EDF Champions are Magners League teams, ie. Munster and the Ospreys. Wales are the Grand Slam Champions and there is a Lions tour looming at the end of this season. The ingredients are there for an outstanding eight months of rugby.
I expect the Ospreys to make the strongest bid to win the Championship as their squad – and I mean squad – looks extremely strong. They have the strength in depth everywhere and that is essential where the Mangers League or Heineken Cup success is concerned. Injuries do strike and again strength in depth is key if success is to be enjoyed.
I am looking forward to a new generation of players establishing themselves as the hard core underpinning strong Regional and International rugby.
The players I am referring to are the likes of Lee Byrne; Gavin Henson; James Hook; Mike Griffiths; Jonathan Thomas; Alun Wyn Jones and Richard Hibbard, to name but a few.
From an excitement prospective I am looking forward to the Phillips v. Peel , Roberts v. Henson, the Tom James v. Mark Jones battles, and the battle hooking berth where several promising youngsters are contesting.
With the British Lions tour to South Africa in 2009 it should prove to be an outstanding season with every individual wanting either to realise the ultimate dream or to secure a second Lions tour which makes their careers more than outstanding.
Out of all the regions, the Ospreys are most likely to create the biggest impression this season because of the experience and quality of the international players. They are previous Magners League winners, but this year they will be looking to capture the Heineken Cup, especially after the disappointment of losing in the quarter finals last season against Saracens.
The Blues have finished in second place for two consecutive seasons and last season, Dai Young’s squad scored more tries than any other team in the league. But are they good enough to go one step further and win the Magners League? Will the pack be authoritative enough to inspire victories? Those are the biggest questions about the team from the capital city.
A new era has dawned in Llanelli with Nigel Davies experiencing his first season as head coach. How inspiring will the experienced players be and how successful will they be able to fill the void caused by Dwayne Peel, who left for Sale during the summer? It was a very disappointing season down at the Strade last year, but can they change their fortunes as they move to their new stadium at Parc y Sgarlets?
The Dragons were in battle at the bottom half of the table last season as they fought hard for a place in the Heineken Cup – the biggest competition of all in Europe. But it is a new era in Gwent aswell. This is Paul Turner’s fourth season at the helm and he has managed to attract a number of key players to Rodney Parade, including the new captain and former All Blacks hooker, Tom Willis.
Jamie Roberts has already experienced international rugby and scored his all important first try for Wales during the summer tour of South Africa. If he manages to keep his place among the backs at the Blues, I fully expect him to create a big impression on the regional and international fields. He’s big, strong and versatile, and plays his rugby with a smile on his face!
It will be a key season for Mike Phillips too. Although he’s currently out injured, there’s hope that he will return soon. He has to fight for his position at the Ospreys with Jamie Nutbrown, Rhys Webb and Rhodri Wells proving their worth in his absence. He will certainly have more responsibility now that Justin Marshall has left and he will mature with his new role. One thing’s for sure, there will be quite a battle between Phillips and Dwayne Peel for the Wales number 9 shirt.
© 2010 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales