Welsh Rugby will face its self-proclaimed Judgement Day on Easter Saturday as Wales’ four professional sides battle it out in the Principality Stadium.

It will be the 10th edition of the Welsh double-header and the ninth to be staged at the national stadium since it started in 2013, with a four-year break because of Covid.

This year’s backdrop has again been another tumultuous period off the field with Cardiff forced into temporary administration before being taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

While Welsh rugby continues to struggle with events off the field, this should be the showpiece of the domestic calendar with the two United Rugby Championship (URC) derbies at Welsh rugby’s home.

Cardiff and Ospreys kick off proceedings at 15:00 BST before Scarlets and Dragons go head-to-head at 17:30 BST. So what is at stake?

Scarlets, Cardiff and Ospreys still have ambitions of finishing in the top eight of the URC and reaching the end-of-season play-offs, while Dragons are destined to finish bottom after a disastrous season which has only yielded one league victory so far.

Going into the latest round of fixtures, there are only nine points separating fifth to 14th places meaning those 10 teams are all battling for quarter-final spots.

Cardiff are ninth with 36 points, while Scarlets and Ospreys are 11th and 12th respectively, three points behind.

The regions have four games remaining in the regular season which includes the quartet travelling to South Africa at the same time in May for a two-game mini tour.

So victory is key this weekend for three of four Wales’ professional sides before that daunting prospect. Dragons are just playing for pride.

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney has indicated ticket sales have not been as good as the governing body would have liked, which illustrates the current apathy towards Welsh rugby.

The timing of the event has been questioned with many feeling it would be better served at the start of the season.

The most popular event attracted an attendance of 68,262 in 2016, while the fewest people to attend at the Principality Stadium was 30,441 in 2014.

It has been moved back to the home of Welsh rugby this season after being held across the capital last year at the Cardiff City Stadium which produced the lowest attendance of 20,167.

Organisers would love to beat that this year but they will be rattling around a ground which holds a 74,500 capacity with the concept’s viability under the microscope.

Believe it or not, there could be a trophy lift on Saturday, with a victorious side raising the Welsh Shield.

That is a mini-table involving the four Welsh professional sides based purely on points gained in the derby games in the regular league season

Each team has six games against fellow Welsh sides and only Cardiff and Scarlets in with a chance of collecting the silverware, with last season’s winners Ospreys and Dragons out of contention.

Cardiff are currently three points ahead of Scarlets and know a victory against Ospreys will see them awarded the title.

If Cardiff draw without a bonus point, or if they lose, Scarlets will be crowned Welsh champions should they gain a maximum points victory against Dragons.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt: “I think being back in the Principality is massive.

“It’s the home of rugby in Wales, right in the middle of the city, and you’re getting the four regional teams with the best Welsh players under one roof on one day.

“There’s three teams vying for the top eight, that’s something I haven’t experienced before.

“To have ourselves, Ospreys and Scarlets all in the middle of the table with something to play for adds that extra bit of spice.”

Cardiff captain Liam Belcher: “There’s always a bit of an edge in any derby, whether there’s something on it or not, we’re all around about the same points tally. With four games left every point matters. If we come out with a win it puts us in great stead going forward.

“The best Judgement Day I had was two years ago. A lot of the boys were leaving, and to send them off with a win was unbelievable. To end that season on that high was amazing.

“The way the Ospreys play at the moment is quite expansive, it’s great to watch. We like to think we play a nice exciting fast game, so for the neutral fans it’ll be a very good exciting opening game.”

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones: “It’s got something really meaningful on it, it’s always got the passion, always got the rivalry, but doesn’t often have the potential of getting into knockout stages on it, as it is at the moment it’s very much an important fixture for both teams.

“Our boys are excited about playing on a pretty famous pitch with a lot on the line. I think it probably is a must win for us looking at how many fixtures are left.”

Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake: “Whenever you get the chance to play here, in front of the crowd, run out onto the turf, it’s an unbelievable feeling whether you’re playing for Wales or your home region.

“There’s not major opportunities to play in this stadium, growing up as a young Welsh kid, whether you’re a boy or a girl, that’s something you dream of.

“A game like Judgement Day was talked about when I was growing up watching rugby, it’s always been a fixture in the Welsh calendar.”

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel: “This game is undoubtedly a big one and a must win for us.

“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we can push on towards the end of the season.

“There’s points at stake and it’s important for us to stay in the hunt of the top eight.

“The league is so tight so when there’s points available you have to be ready to pounce.”

Scarlets full-back Blair Murray: “I’ve heard it’s a massive day for Welsh rugby. Going against the Dragons, they got up on us the last couple of times.

“I love it at the Principality Stadium, the crowd’s always awesome here. I’m sure it will be just as good for Judgement Day, it’ll be interesting with fans of other teams there, it’ll be cool.”

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia: “The concept of the derbies and bringing the teams together at the main stadium in Cardiff does generate energy and tribalism.

“These games are a chance for players to impress and particularly for those who aspire to play for their country.”

Dragons centre Aneurin Owen: “It’s a great occasion and a great chance to play at a great stadium in front of a great crowd.

“We’ve got quite a young squad and a lot of them wouldn’t have been involved in a Judgement Day, it’s exciting for a lot of them.

“Derby games are always special they always bring a bit of an extra edge, those two wins (2019 & 2023), hopefully we can replicate that.”

Ospreys v Cardiff

Kick off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Scrum V Live BBC One Wales; Listen live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Dragons v Scarlets

Kick off: 17:30 BST

Coverage: Live on S4C via iPlayer; Listen live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.