Boost for Blues as trio commit futures to region
CARDIFF Blues have received a timely boost with Rhun Williams, Josh Turnbull and Corey Domachowski all agreeing contract extensions.
Highly-rated full-back Williams, Welsh international back rower Turnbull and young prop Domachowski will have put pen to paper on new deals by the weekend.
They are the first group from the large contingent of out-of-contract players to re-commit thier futures to the Arms Park outfit.
And more signings are expected in the next week or so, with Blues bosses confident of holding onto new Wales lock Seb Davies in the face of competition from the Scarlets.
As for the trio who have agreed terms, Williams first caught the eye with his stylish performances at full-back during Wales’ U20s Six Nations Grand Slam campaign in 2016.
He made an assured step up to the senior ranks last season and was named in the Welsh squad for the summer tour of the South Seas only to be ruled out with an ankle injury.
Now fit again, he has established himself at No 15 for the Blues, having featured primarily on the wing last term.
The 20-year-old north Walian is moving from an Academy contract to a full-time professional one.
Turnbull joined the Blues in 2014 after spending seven years with the Scarlets and has proved a stalwart servant, making 70 apperances and covering every position in the back five of the scrum.
The eight-times capped forward missed the second half of last season with a back disc problem which required surgery, but he’s now fit and firing again.
Domachowski, who has just turned 21, has impressed with his outings on the loosehead, figuring regularly for the first team over the past nine months.
Meanwhile, Blues bosses believe they are close to retaining the services of second row Davies, who is one of the most talked about players in Welsh rugby at present.
They have put a significant offer on the table for the ball handling 21-year-old, who started both Tests on Wales’ summer tour.
It’s understood the Scarlets are keen on bringing him on board as a replacement for the Munsterbound Tadhg Beirne, but the Blues are confident of keeping their man.