Cardiff Blues can confirm they will host their next two Guinness PRO14 fixtures at the Cardiff City Stadium as work continues to complete a new artificial surface at the Arms Park.
The iconic stadium has been unavailable to Wales’ Capital Region so far this season due to the supporting role it played to the Dragon’s Heart Hospital and the subsequent damage to the 3G pitch.
Matches have previously been staged at Rodney Parade but a new venue was required following Newport County’s progression and home draw in the FA Cup.
That means Cardiff Blues will host the Ospreys (Jan 1) and Scarlets (Jan 9) at the Cardiff City Stadium with a planned return to the Arms Park in time to welcome Newcastle Falcons on January 23.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland said: “We are enormously grateful to everyone at the Dragons and Rodney Parade for the warm welcome they have given us during the last three months.
“The Arms Park pitch is now almost complete and providing the weather isn’t entirely a wash out we hope to be back there in mid-January.
“With Rodney Parade now unavailable due to the FA Cup, we needed an alternative venue, with all the necessary Covid-19 compliance, for a couple of weeks and we are pleased to temporarily head back to the Cardiff City Stadium.
“There is a fantastic surface and it has all the modern facilities required, particularly at this time of such heightened precautions and protocols to ensure fixtures can be safely fulfilled.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone at Cardiff City, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the PRO14 for working with us.
“While grateful for the hospitality just down the road at the Cardiff City Stadium we are now also very excited to return to our home and must also thank Tony Patterson Sports Grounds, who are completing the works.”