Official Ospreys Matchday Guide

Good afternoon, and welcome back to St Helen’s for what promises to be another special occasion as we take on Cardiff.

Before I look ahead, I want to say a huge thank you to every one of you who came out last week. To sell out St Helen’s for a derby against the Dragons was brilliant. To see you all stay right to the end in that weather, singing and backing the boys through every set, said everything about this club and this community. The players felt it, and it made a real difference out there. That win was as much yours as it was ours.

We’re on track for another sell-out today, and that tells you how much St Helen’s has become a home for this team. The players love playing here, and you’ve already made it a place opposition sides don’t enjoy coming to. Let’s keep it that way.

Cardiff will arrive with plenty of quality and plenty to play for. Derbies are never short of intensity, and we know we’ll need to be at our best for the full 80 minutes. The group has trained well this week. We’ve taken the positives from last week’s performance, but we also know there are areas where we can be better, and the boys have worked hard on those.

Thank you again for your incredible support. Let’s make some noise and give the boys another big lift today.

Enjoy the game.

Mark Jones

Bars and food vendors are available at in the fanzone and the Mumbles end of the ground. Following feedback, food vendors have now been distributed more evenly around the ground, with two trucks in the fan zone and two at the Mumbles end. 

We'll have the following food vendors available at the game: 

Mumbles End

🔥 Smokin' Griddle

🍗 Chick in Trays

Fanzone

🍜 Wok Stix

🍟 Zac in the Box

Inside the fan marquee we'll have the Ospreys Supporters Club, the Ospreys Supporters Choir and live music! Come and see them for some pre-match fun and pick up a free Ospreys flag. 

We'll also be running spooktacular costume competition: come dressed to impress and be in with a chance of winning a 26/27 jersey of your choice!

Whether scary or silly, we want to see your best outfits. Meet us in the fan zone at 7pm next to the big screen if you want to take part in the costume parade on the pitch: the winner of the competition will be picked by Ospreys players.

One of the most dangerous finishers in Welsh rugby. Adams was the top try-scorer at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and toured South Africa with the British & Irish Lions in 2021. He has been a regular for Wales for years and was part of the 2026 Six Nations campaign. He’s clinical with half a chance, strong in the air and works hard off his wing to get involved. 

Cardiff’s engine room. Lawrence came through the Cardiff Academy, spent time at Jersey Reds and came home to become one of the URC’s hardest workers. Only teammate Dan Thomas made more tackles in the competition last season. He’s relentless in defence and abrasive with ball in hand, so expect him to be at the heart of the breakdown battle today.

Back at Cardiff this season after three years with Harlequins, Evans brings experience and composure to the Cardiff backline. The Pontypridd-born playmaker has 19 Wales caps and was part of the 2019 Grand Slam squad. He’s also a former Challenge Cup winner with Cardiff, where he scored 13 points in the 2018 final. He’s sharp, quick off the mark and has a habit of kicking match-winning goals late on, so he will bring a threat on Saturday.