Great Western Railway (GWR) is running extra trains from Cardiff on Saturday, 19th March, for rugby fans heading home after Wales‘ final match of the Six Nations campaign.

Capacity-boosting Class 387 Electrostars will operate eight half-hourly shuttle services between Cardiff and Newport to help disperse crowds following Saturday’s fixture with Italy. In total, GWR will provide 40 trains with over 20,000 seats for fans after the match. However, supporters are warned that a queueing system will be in place outside Cardiff Central station and services will be busy.

Shuttles to Newport will operate between 16.11 and 19.46. There will also be eight Intercity Express Trains (IET) to London up to 21.18, and 12 services to Bristol up to 22.47. An IET will run from Cardiff to Port Talbot Parkway at 1615, and a further 11 IET services from Cardiff to Swansea from 1642 until 2251.

In a repeat of previous fixtures during this year’s championship, fans travelling to Newport after the game should queue on the square in front of Cardiff Central station, rather than from Riverside Car Park.

Customers should check social media for the latest information on queueing times. In line with the latest Welsh Government guidance, customers are reminded that they must wear a face mask when travelling in Wales unless they are exempt.

Fans travelling to the game should allow extra time to enter the ground and to travel early. Trains immediately before the 14.15 kick-off are expected to be very busy.

GWR Customer Service & Operations Director, Richard Rowland, said: “We have been very pleased with the effectiveness of our more sustainable Class 387 electric trains in moving fans from Cardiff to Newport.

“For the match against Scotland, we did notice a second wave of fans leaving Cardiff later in the evening, so we’ll be providing two extra shuttle services on Saturday to help fans get back to Newport and free up more space on our London and Bristol services.

“Cardiff Central is always busy after the Six Nations rugby, so we’re reminding customers of the need to queue and helping them to board trains safely.”

Transport for Wales Planning and Performance Director, Colin Lea, said: “We are anticipating another busy weekend on the network getting in and out of Cardiff, so we strongly encourage people to plan their journeys carefully and leave plenty of time to get to the match.

“We have plenty of capacity after the game but we would recommend everyone makes sure they are familiar with the post-game queuing system and please be patient with fellow passengers and staff as we try to get everyone home.

“For the latest information visit the Transport for Wales website, mobile app or social media channels.”