Welsh rugby bids for stadium return for fans by end of June

Welsh rugby bosses are hopeful of seeing fans return to sports events before the current season is over.

The Welsh Government has already announced that a series of outdoor pilot events will take place from May to gauge the safety of crowds returning to sports and arts events in larger numbers.

First Minister Mark Drakeford told a press conference on Thursday that he himself hoped to be able to return to watch live sport over the summer.

Now, Scarlets chairman Simon Muderack has said he hopes to see crowds return to Parc y Scarlets before the current season ends in June.

The PRO14 tournament has ended to make way for the Rainbow Cup involving South African 'Super' sides from April 24 to June 19, meaning there will be six fixtures for each Welsh region.

Of their three home games, the Scarlets boss is hoping fans will finally be able to make a return to the stadium.

Writing in the matchday programme ahead of the Scarlets' Champions Cup last-16 clash with Sale Sharks on Easter Sunday, Muderack said: "Let's hope it won't be long before we can welcome you back once more because we are certainly pushing hard for that to happen.

"If the current dip in infection rates continue, we are assuming we will be able to have supporters back for the start of the 2021-22 campaign and we are currently looking at the possibility of partial crowds in one of our remaining fixtures this season.

"We hope to have a better idea in a few weeks' time and will keep you updated on any news.

"I not only look forward to welcoming people back into Parc y Scarlets, but doing so even more warmly, fully and inclusively."

Mark Drakeford said earlier this week: "We all look forward to being able to be back watching sport.

"We're going to have some pilot events here in May in the sports and the arts, and we're part of the UK group that is looking at the return of spectators to sporting venues.

"It's connected with a number of other debates including vaccine certification and lateral flow testing and so on.

"Our shared wish is to get people back into sporting arenas but to do it, of course, in a way that is sensitive to the public health context and in a way that is safe as possible for us all."

Wales hopes to have offered vaccination to all adults by the end of July, subject to consistent supply.

Sports fans haven't been able to attend events in Wales since March 2020, just before the country went into lockdown.