With almost 18,000 tickets already sold for the Blues v Ospreys derby match on New Year's Eve, there will be a new record rugby crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium.

There's sure to a brilliant atmosphere for the game which kicks off at 2.05pm as the Blues take on an inform Ospreys side.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young said,

"On paper the Ospreys are arguably one of the strongest sides in Europe packed full of current internationals."

"They showed in their recent Heineken Cup win over Munster and in the recent win over Scarlets they have an extremely strong pack and scrum that can dominate teams."

"They also have some world class players in the backs, so it is hard to find a weakness in their side."

"They are the reigning Magners League champions so I'm sure they won't want to give up the title lightly."

"One thing that our results in the Heineken Cup have done is make us even more determined as a group to do something in the Magners League."

"There is still a lot of rugby to be played before the end of the season and traditionally we have always been a side that has played better after Christmas. Despite not playing to our full potential we are in a lot stronger position than where we were last season."

"We are in the top five, whereas last year we were at the wrong end of the table."

Match Day Collections

Tickets for the match are still available by calling the ticket office on 0845 345 1400 but due to the adverse weather conditions and the Royal Mail backlog, the Cardiff City Stadium Ticket Office has stopped sending out tickets for the match.

Supporters are advised to please collect their tickets from the ticket office before the day of the match but if you are coming down on the day to collect please allow plenty of time to gain entry.

Family tickets for the match are available for two adults and two children for only £20 in the Family Stand.

Prior to kick off at the match, the winners of the hugely popular Xmas Factor competition will be performing on the pitch. The competition hosted by Queen's Arcade Cardiff has been running in conjunction Red Dragon FM with the winners, Pic n Mix dance group, chosen from a celebrity judging panel winning the chance to perform.

Furthermore Cardiff Blues and Magners League will be staging a Crossbar Challenge competition at half time during the game. Two lucky entrants will have the chance to win £10,000 in the challenge after purchasing Magners Irish Cider in their local pub and receiving the winning scratch cards over the Christmas period.

Cardiff Blues Top 3 Attendances at Cardiff City Stadium

Sat 24 Oct 2009 Cardiff Blues v Ospreys 16,341
Fri 21 Aug Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers 15,843
Sun 27 Dec 2009 Cardiff Blues v Newport Gwent Dragons 15,210