The Welsh Rugby Union is inviting fans to enjoy Wales’ home games free of charge when the Official Supporters’ Village opens to the public at 12.00 noon tomorrow for Wales’ 2010 RBS 6 Nations Championship clash with Scotland (kick-off 2.00pm).

The Supporters’ Village, set within a giant marquee between gates three and four of the Millennium Stadium, is the closest place to watch Warren Gatland’s Wales without a ticket and the ideal location for the hundreds of supporters looking to avoid the queues without missing out on the atmosphere.

Three giant bars, various hot food outlets and multiple large screens are just a few of the crowd attractions at the home of Welsh rugby and they will also welcome the arrival of both team buses for the first of the three Championship home games.

Wales captain Ryan Jones said: “Arriving at the Millennium Stadium on matchday is a moment that all the players will remember. Looking out to see hundreds of Welsh fans cheering for the boys is always a great occasion.

“With the first home game up this weekend I’m sure we will be boosted by the support in and around the packed out home of the Wales rugby team.”

The unique undercover area will close at 8.00pm tomorrow and reopen on Friday 26 February (2.00-10.00pm) when Wales face France and when Wales play Italy on the final weekend of the Championship on Saturday 20 March (12 noon-10.00pm).

With or without a ticket the Millennium Stadium remains the place to be on international match day and rugby fans looking to follow every moment of the Championship can catch all 12 remaining fixtures at the Cardiff Arms Cafe Bar on No 8 Westgate Street, Cardiff.

With its ever-changing array of Stadium memorabilia, the Cafe Bar proved a hit with rugby supporters from around the world throughout the autumn international period when it was officially opened by Wales coach Warren Gatland and crowds are expected to flock to the official WRU bar in the action packed weekends ahead.

The city-centre Cardiff Arms Cafe Bar opens to the public from 10.00am Monday to Saturday and at 11.00am on Sunday where the Six Nations’ matchday breakfast is set to be the flavour of the month priced at only £5 for bacon, sausage, scrambled egg, baked beans, mushrooms, hash browns, roll and butter and a hot drink.

Originally known as Jackson’s racket club in the 1800s, the renovated listed building has become a focal point for the thousands of visitors to the Millennium Stadium each month and the permanent home to the WRU Store as well as the popular Cafe Bar.

For further information on the Cardiff Arms Store and Cafe Bar and the WRU Official Supporters’ Village please visit the official website www.wru.co.uk.

Dates for the Diary
The WRU Official Supporters’ Village Opening Hours
Saturday 13 February – Wales v Scotland 12.00 noon-8.00pm
Friday 26 February – Wales v France 2.00-10.00pm
Saturday 20 March – Wales v Italy 12.00 noon-10.00pm
The WRU Cardiff Arms Cafe Bar will be open for all of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations fixtures.

Further Information

There will be a full road closure from 12.30pm to 5.30pm on Saturday 13 February and the following travel arrangements will apply:

Park and Ride site accessed from J33 of the M4
Cost – £5:00/car CCFC Leckwith (YELLOW CAR PARK)
Drop off / Pick-up point will be –Tresillian Way north, at rear of Railway Station
The car park will have a staff presence from 9:00am, will open at 9:30am, with the first bus at 9:30am. The last bus will leave the pick-up points at 6:00pm, with the car park closing at 6:30pm.
Coach parking will be provided off Sophia Close – there are dedicated coach parking areas with driver facilities. Cost – £5.00 per coach

The following roads will be closed-
Between 12:30pm & 5:30pm Kingsway from its junction with North Rd / Boulevard de Nantes to its junction with Duke St.
Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Rd to its junction with Westgate St.
Tudor St from its junction with Clare Rd to its junction with Wood St (access for residents & traders will be permitted)
Plantagenet St & Beauchamp St from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor St (access for residents & traders will be permitted)
The following roads will be closed in their entirety – Duke St, Castle St, High St, St.Mary St, Caroline St, Wood St, Central Sq, Westgate St, Quay St, Guildhall Pl, Golate, Park St, Havelock St & Scott Rd.