Ospreys head coach Mark Jones knows exactly what his Judgement Day X rivals Cardiff Rugby have been going through in the last few weeks with the region going into administration before being taken over by the WRU.
The former Wales wing was at Worcester Warriors when they went off the financial rails in the English Premiership and understands the pressure it can put on a playing and coaching squad.
But not for one minute does Jones expect the recent off the field woes at the capital city region to affect how Matt Sherratt’s side comes out and plays against the Ospreys at Principality Stadium. With both teams striving to make the end of season play-offs he is expecting a real scrap.
“Cardiff have been very strong all year. They have picked up some big wins along the way. They’ve been around the top four for the large part of the season,” said Jones.
“Obviously, with us just teetering on the brink now of getting into the playoffs, we’re looking forward to it. It is very much business as well as enjoying the occasion.
“I’m sure it’ll affect them in some way, because I’ve been through it at Worcester. When the rumours started there around our financial stability, all of a sudden it comes out and it becomes official, with somebody letting you know exactly what’s going on.
“Then, it affects different people in different ways. It could affect them in a positive way, in which they come together and galvanise each other and really support each other.
“But also it could turn people into looking inward and probably worrying about themselves, rather than the bigger picture. It will affect different people in different ways.
“We, as Ospreys, obviously feel for those people who are affected by it. It’s not the fault of any of the playing group or the management group, or the medical team – they’ve just been going about their work.
“These things are very much above that level and, unfortunately, it’s the players who are feeling the effects of it right now. I remember that the Worcester players were awesome in trying to put it to one side.
“We were working and playing without pay and some players card on without contracts and still turned up for work. You had staff doing exactly the same.
“There were naturally a few guys that felt like they saw themselves better off somewhere else. With the uncertainty, you have to accept that, it’s just the nature of human beings and everybody’s different.
“It was an awful time, but it’s great to see Worcester back now and obviously in the tier two of the English system. It’s great to see that club coming back alive.”
The Ospreys will be hoping to bounce back from their EPCR Challenge Cup quarter final home defeat to Lyon when they face Cardiff – a team with whom they fought a 13-13 draw at the Arms Park earlier in the year.
That European defeat came at an even bigger cost than missing out on a first semi-final because key players picked up significant injuries. No 8 Morgan Morris and lock Rhys Davies are both now ruled out of the rest of the season and Justin Tipuric and Adam Beard are also both missing.
“This is a big fixture for us. We feel like we need to get some good points out of this game, but first and foremost, we need to put in a good performance,” added Jones.
“We’re really excited by what’s on the line for both teams at Judgement Day, and by what a result could do to set us up for the final three fixtures.”