CARDIFF Blues will play their first ‘home’ game of the new Guinness PRO14 season at Rodney Parade, writes Chris Kirwan.

The men from the capital entertained the Ospreys in Newport on August 30 to end the 2019/20 campaign while their Arms Park home was in use as part of the Dragon’s Heart Hospital at Principality Stadium.

They will return to Rodney Parade in the second round of fixtures of the 2020/21 season when they host Connacht on Saturday, October 10.

“Since the coverings have come off the pitch, there has been a thorough period of investigation and we have found it will require some repair work,” said Blues chairman Alun Jones in a wide-ranging interview with WalesOnline.

“We are currently assessing what level of work will be required and therefore we have decided to play our first home game of the new season at Rodney Parade.

“That will be against Connacht on October 10, and we are very grateful to David Buttress and the guys at the Dragons for accommodating us.

“It’s hoped we will be back then at the Arms Park shortly after that, however, player safety has to be paramount.

“If the pitch requires substantial work, we have a plan B in place and will endeavour to get back home as soon as possible.”

Penarth Times:

Rodney Parade has hosted seven fixtures – five County, two PRO14 - since the return of professional sport after the enforced break because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dragons host Zebre on the Friday before the Blues entertain Connacht with the Exiles in action at Cambridge United that weekend.

Semi-professional Premiership club Newport RFC are, sadly, unlikely to be playing at Rodney Parade until 2021.

Former Dragon Jason Tovey kicked the Blues to a win against the Ospreys in August while Cory Hill and Hallam Amos could also enjoy returns to their old stomping ground.

The Blues are due to host Ulster on November 2, Benetton on November 16 and Glasgow on November 29. None of those fixtures clash with County games.