The season could well end for the Welsh regions on Saturday, if the Scarlets are unable to beat Glasgow in their European Challenge Cup semi-final. For many, there would be a sigh of relief. But within the trauma and turmoil, Daniel Parker claims there can be some reason for optimism – youth will have its fling.

Thomas Young took a starring role in the absence of his dad as Cardiff beat the Ospreys 38-21 to clinch the Welsh Shield and Heineken Champions Cup qualification in their final URC game. Director of Rugby Dai Young wasn’t at the Principality Stadium for the Judgement Day showdown having been suspended by the region ahead of the game.

Keiran Williams has admitted it could be an emotional Judgement Day for the Ospreys on Saturday as he and his teammates brace themselves for a number of departures. The centre will go up against fellow new Wales squad colleague Mason Grady as the Ospreys attempt to beat Cardiff with a bonus point to pip their great rivals to the Welsh Shield and a place in the Heineken Champions Cup next season.

Cardiff have offered no explanation to their supporters over what has happened to their director of rugby, Dai Young. The Arms Park region have confirmed that Young will not attend Saturday’s “Judgement Day” fixture against Ospreys at the Principality Stadium but declined to comment on reports the 55-year-old has been suspended.

Wales flanker Jac Morgan has signed a new deal with the Ospreys – bucking the trend of recent internationals to move elsewhere. The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a fresh agreement to continue with the region he joined from the Scarlets, although the length of the deal has not been revealed. His decision is a major boost for the Ospreys who have recently lost Wales centre Joe Hawkins and flanker Ethan Roots to Exeter.

It really will be Judgement Day at the Principality Stadium next Saturday as Cardiff and the Ospreys go head to head, with the Welsh Shield and Heineken Champions Cup qualification on the line. All four of the Welsh regions lost in the penultimate round of the United Rugby Championship over the weekend, leaving three of the bottom four places occupied by Welsh sides and four of the bottom six.

Dai Young has admitted the Welsh regions need to develop greater depth if they are to compete across the board for honours. Young takes his Cardiff side to Connacht on Saturday night, seeking a victory that would keep alive their hopes of a top eight finish and entry into the URC play-offs.

Llandovery did everything they needed to do to hold onto the top spot in the Indigo Premiership as they beat Swansea 52-24 and with two games to go they at least now know they’ve done enough to secure a top four place. The next target has to be to keep on winning and to claim a top two finish to ensure they have a home tie in the semi-finals. They face a trip to fifth placed Aberavon on Saturday and still have to go to another top four contender, Newport.

Joe Hawkins has explained why he chose to end his Wales career so soon after it had begun. The 20-year-old Ospreys centre – one of the discoveries of a disappointing 12 months for Wales – has agreed to join Exeter this summer. It means he will no longer be eligible for Wales unless the Welsh Rugby Union tear up their policy of only selecting players outside of Wales who have won at least 25 caps.

The stage is set for 10 days of non-stop action as clubs and players from all over Wales descend on the home of Welsh rugby for the ‘Road to Principality 2023’ rugby jamboree. Last year saw record breaking numbers in almost every category as the fans flocked to watch the rising stars of the game, as well as established senior players representing clubs from across all divisions chase titles and lifelong memories of playing at the Principality Stadium.

Toby Booth believes his Ospreys side will face the best team in England “by some distance” when they tackle Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 opponents Saracens on Sunday. While the Ospreys contest their first top-flight European knockout game for 12 years, Saracens are on familiar territory.

Taine Basham is the first to admit his outlook on life has changed completely since becoming a dad. His partner, Giovanna, gave birth to a baby boy in December, with little Tomas now four months old. It’s put everything in a new perspective for the Dragons back row forward, including the ups and downs of the past couple of years on the rugby front.