John Mulvihill accepts that 80 minutes of rugby will deliver a rightful verdict on his Cardiff Blues side when they face the Ospreys on Judgement Day. The Blues head coach has overseen a strangely inconsistent campaign, during which the region have recovered from a poor start, hit some admirable heights in mid-season, and then faded away again in recent weeks with defeats to Munster and Connacht. All of which makes a shoot-out against the resurgent Ospreys – for a play-off stab at qualification for the Heineken Champions Cup – a suitable finale.

Judgement Day is less about a final verdict this season and more about opportunity. Either the Ospreys or the Cardiff Blues will take a European side-door pass, although the bouncers still have to be won over. For Robin Davey, the outcome depends on three initials – AWJ. It’s the end of season Judgement Day showdown on Saturday – but this one will be like no other. The Dragons aim to end their abysmal record against the Scarlets when east meets west at the Principality Stadium, followed by a likely rip-roaring clash between the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues.

James Hook insists the Ospreys are confident they can beat Cardiff Blues on Saturday – whether or wherever their rivals decide to play Gareth Anscombe. Hook will be one of those players affected by Ancombe’s move from the Arms Park to the Liberty Stadium next season. The 33-year-old has filled a utility role since rejoining the region at the start of last season, providing invaluable experience and cover at outside-half, full-back and centre.

Gareth Anscombe has been hailed as bringing the “X-factor” to the Ospreys as Sam Davies prepares to make room at the region by leaving for the Scarlets. Anscombe’s decision to leave the Cardiff Blues for their regional rivals – a prospect dismissed by Blues coach John Mulvihill just a week ago – will spark a re-shuffle among the No.10s in Wales. Davies has been offered a move to the Dragons and has also previously interested the Blues, but is instead likely to join the Scarlets.

Allen Clarke believes his resurgent Ospreys have rediscovered their swagger as they get ready for a European showdown against the Cardiff Blues. The Judgment Day clash at the Principality Stadium on April 27 is the Ospreys’ final game of the regular season. It will certainly have something riding on it – either a route into next season’s Heineken European Cup directly, or through a play-off, and possibly a Guinness Pro 14 knockout spot, depending on other results.

A week ago, Robin Davey suggested there was plenty to be alarmed about in Welsh rugby when it came to the dysfunctional Premiership. Now, the sirens have started wailing with the news that Cross Keys do not even have enough money to finish the season. And they are far from alone. The desperate news that Cross Keys have launched a survival fund just in order to finish the season proves just how quickly the shine from a Grand Slam can fade. Scratch below the glittering surface of Welsh rugby and there is so much that looks in a state of disrepair – like a respray job covering a multitude of sins under the bonnet.

John Mulvihill has admitted Cardiff Blues are relying on others to help them make the Guinness Pro14 play-offs. The Blues needed to maintain their recent good form away to Munster on Friday night, but instead they crashed to a 45-21 defeat. Mulvihill’s side did manage to score three tries, but they failed to secure a bonus point, leaving them needing favours from others sides if they are to finish in the top three of Conference A.

Ireland star Keith Earls has warned his Munster team-mates to beware the threat of Gareth Anscombe tonight when Cardiff Blues face the Irish province in Cork. Earls was on the receiving end from Anscombe last month when Wales hammered Ireland 25-7 to seal the Six Nations Grand Slam on an afternoon when the Blues No.10 kicked six penalties and a conversion. It was a performance that put to rest suggestions that the New Zealand-born kicker could still be vulnerable to the pressure of a big occasion and that Dan Biggar’s reliability with the boot would always be a safer option.

Forget Brexit, the real cliff-edge moment has arrived for the Welsh regions and their place in Europe. The next three rounds of Guinness PRO14 matches will determine whether or not the Scarlets fail to reach the Heineken Champions Cup for the first time in their history and if the four Welsh regions have any teams in Europe’s top tournament next season. There is so much to play for to ensure the domestic season doesn’t go out with a whimper after such a thrilling Six Nations campaign. Surely, one Welsh region – either the Cardiff Blues or the Scarlets (the Ospreys are a long shot) – is good enough to make the play-offs and play in the Europe’s top-tier in 2019/20.

It’s that annual Welsh rugby tradition – Armchair Weekend – when supporters of the four Welsh regions grab a beer, slump in front of the box, and watch the European knockout stages featuring teams from Ireland, Scotland, England and France. Robin Davey says the full house Celtic contingent this season makes the Welsh absence even more embarrassing. Wales may have won the Grand Slam and the nation is still recovering from the celebrations, but back down on earth professional rugby carries on without almost the entire Six Nations squad. It’s all about Europe – not the Brexit variety – but the quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions and Challenge Cup competitions. And there is not a Welsh team in sight.

Wayne Pivac is in danger of leaving the Scarlets on a low note after admitting they served up their worst display in his five years in charge as they were hammered by the Cardiff Blues. Pivac – who is leaving at the end of the season to prepare to take charge of Wales after the World Cup – is in familiar territory for many coaches whose next job is announced long before they leave their current one. No matter what they utter in public about maintaining their focus until the last goodbye, they are often undermined by players who decide the king is dead, long live the next one.

Hallam Amos has revealed a liking for the plastic pitch at the Arms Park was among the factors that swayed him to leave the Dragons for the Cardiff Blues. The Wales wing will join the Blues at the end of the season after his move was confirmed just 48 hours after that of fellow international wing Josh Adams, who is arriving from Worcester. Some players have expressed their views on the Blues’ artificial surface by posting pictures of burn marks suffered during matches, but Amos has spoken of his liking for the fast style of rugby it can produce.