The Welsh Rugby Union are promising a new fan experience ahead of the autumn campaign, with the campaign curtain-raiser against the All Blacks on November 5 set to feature the return of choirs, live Welsh bands, a giant inflatable ball and a tribute to two Welsh rugby legends.
This autumn sees the Principality Stadium return to their pre-Covid levels of entertainment and, as such, the WRU have promised a matchday experience which will see "Welshness dialled up to a hundred", with the entertainment schedule enhanced to make it more Welsh.
As well as the return of choirs for pre-match performances, led as always by WRU musical director Haydn James, this Saturday's match against New Zealand (3.15pm kick-off) will also see The Royal Welsh Regimental Drum Band and Shenkin the goat take to the pitch. The latter, the regimental mascot of Third Battalion The Royal Welsh, will walk Wales out ahead of kick-off while wearing a GoPro camera (Goat Cam).
SIGN UP: Get the latest rugby news sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter
There will be added musical performances from Britain's Got Talent semi-finalists Welsh of the West End, with the group set to perform a medley of musical theatre hits before kick-off, as well as joining choirs on the pitch for the Welsh national anthem. A number of Welsh bands will be providing entertainment on the concourses, with Radio One DJ Huw Stephens working with the WRU to help promote Welsh artists, including Band Pres Llareggub: a seven-piece brass band which will roam around the gates and stadium pre-match.
Other attractions for fans include a Hwyl-o-meter, which will show how loud the crowd is, a pyrotechnic display with plenty of flames and the "eye in the sky", a giant inflatable ball with a hidden camera inside to take candid images as it's bounced around the ground by supporters. Look out for the photos on the big screen.
"It's going to be great," said stadium manager Mark Williams. "We're back to our pre-Covid levels of entertainment. The roof is going to be closed. It's a sell-out. We've got the band, the choir and the goat back on the pitch. There's music, bands and entertainment in all the concourses. It's going to be a superb day.
"We've adjusted the entertainment experience to make it more Welsh, with more Welsh songs and hymns. The band and choir will be out for longer. We've got Welsh bands playing music on the concourses in localised fan zones as well so it'll be really good.
"Gates are open two and a half hours before kick-off. Get in as early as you can and get to Cardiff as early as you can."
In addition, a special tribute is also being planned to honour former Wales internationals Phil Bennett and Eddie Butler, who both passed away earlier this year.
In a nod to the past, referee Wayne Barnes will be kicking off the match with the whistle from the Wales v New Zealand match from 1905.
The singers, performers and choirs at Wales v New Zealand:
Live music performances will come from Band Pres Llareggub (at the gates, roaming the concourse and pitchside), Eadyth (level four south), Tom Jenkins (the Riverside Terrace). Welsh of the West End will perform at the Principality Stadium for the first time, performing a theatre hit medley pre-match and joining the choirs on the pitch for Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Four Welsh choirs, made up of 170 singers, will be led by WRU musical director Haydn James. The four choirs are Brythonaid, John’s Boys, Cor Dyffryn Aman and Ynysowen (Aberfan). The choirs will be supported by The Royal Welsh Regimental Drum Band.
We will see four primary school choirs take to the field at half-time this autumn. For Wales v New Zealand, it will be Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd, singing Calon Lân with choir master Mrs Catrin Llewellyn. Past pupils include rugby siblings Jamie and Nicky Robinson, Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell and Wales forward Seb Davies, along with Hollywood actors Matthew Rhys and Ioan Gruffudd.
The Hwyl-o-meter
A graphic used to demonstrate how loud the stadium crowd is, can Wales fans make as much noise as a landing Boeing 707? That's what they almost did in 2013 when the Principality Stadium conducted a sound experiment during Wales v England: the noise level was recorded, and the sound of the crowd reached an incredible 100dB (a Boeing 707 omits 106dB before landing).
Flag-bearers
Community rugby heroes nominated by their clubs will be acting as flag-bearers before each game.
Tyrone Davies of Fleur de Lys RFC will be flying the flag for Wales. He has played for his club, served as fixture secretary and now vice-chairman, doing all the maintenance at the clubhouse.
Liam McKay of Caerau Ely RFC will be flying the New Zealand flag. He has been instrumental in the club offering 150 children from U7s to U13s a rugby opportunity every week. His club said: "The club has become a beacon of hope in the community of Ely and Liam has played a huge part in that."
On-pitch flags
Two huge flags — the WRU's three feathers and the Welsh dragon flags, both 33m x 27m — have been designed in the shape of the WRU shield, and are made up of thousands of images of Welsh rugby supporters.
READ MORE:
Leigh Halfpenny leaves Wales' captain's run amid worrying development before New Zealand game
Wales v New Zealand head to head ratings in closest battle for years
Dan Biggar joins Toulon with immediate effect as Wales fly-half cites family reasons
Shirtless rugby stars chase down thief in Manchester days after Michael Cheika's laptop stolen
