Wales’ most capped player, Gethin Jenkins, has signed on for another season at Cardiff Blues, while former Wales Under 20 loose head Sam Hobbs has agreed a switch from the BT Sport Arms Park to Newport Gwent Dragons.
And the Scarlets’ Welsh international front row man Rhodri Jones has agreed a switch to west Wales rivals the Ospreys from next season. All this movement comes on top of the Blues bringing Wales loose head prop Rhys Gill back to his home region from English champions Saracens from next season.
The 35-year-old Jenkins, the current captain of the Blues, has played 164 games for the region and will extend his stay to 12 seasons by singing on until the end of the 2017 campaign. He won his 121st cap for Wales as a replacement against Scotland and has also played in five Tests for the British & Irish Lions on two tours.
“Gethin is a vastly experienced prop who demands the highest standards from himself and those around him and
has excelled at both regional and international level over the last decade. There will be real competition for the loose head prop jersey in our squad next season with the likes of Gethin and Rhys Gill,” said Blues head coach Danny Wilson.
“Gethin will also be the ideal role model and mentor for the talented young players within our squad and those coming through our system and who we believe have a bright future with us.”
Hobbs is heading to Rodney Parade to link-up with former Blues and Wales hooker T Rhys Thomas at the Dragons after signing a two-year deal. The 27-year-old former Wales Under 19 and Under 20 cap, who is 6’ 4” tall and weighs in at more than 19 stones, has played more than 100 times for the Blues since making his debut against Edinburgh in 2009
“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge ahead at Dragons. There are good people, good coaches and a strong squad along there with some great training facilities and a fantastic support base,” said Hobbs.
“I would like to thank everyone at Cardiff Blues for the continued support they have given me throughout the years I have been with the Region.”
Dragons Director of Rugby, Lyn Jones, has long been a fan of the Brecon-born forward and moved swiftly to beat off stiff competition from clubs in England for the player’s services from next season.
“I’ve always been impressed with Sam as an all round player. When we were made aware of his availability, we had no hesitation in making him an offer to stay in Wales because he will add a great deal of experience and character to a maturing Dragons squad,” admitted Jones.
Meanwhile, the 13-times capped Jones has put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the Liberty Stadium. The Aberystwyth-born prop, who can play on both sides of the scrum, racked up his 100th appearance for the Scarlets last weekend in the win over Edinburgh.
Capped by Wales at age-grade level, the 24-year-old was first called into the senior Wales squad in December, 2011, making his full international debut the following summer against the Barbarians in Cardiff.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with the Scarlets, but this is a great opportunity for me professionally and I’m very excited about this move. The Ospreys are a team that is competitive on all fronts, one that is up there with the best, so it’s a real challenge for me to establish myself in the squad,” said Jones.
“I’ve thrown myself into the challenge of switching sides in the scrum, and it’s been hard at times, but the Ospreys have a great record for developing forwards and going there will really help me to kick on as a tight head.”
