Cook in Blues goodbye

CARDIFF Blues stalwart Macauley Cook is heading for England after a decade at the Welsh region.

The versatile back-five forward from the Rhondda is set to join Championship club Jersey Reds.

He has made 167 appearances for the Arms Park outfit in all, covering both the back-row and lock.

Having graduated to the Blues Academy from his local club Treorchy, he made his senior regional debut against Exeter in 2010.

The following year, he captained Wales U20s in the 2011 Junior World Championships.

Then in 2014, he was named the Blues’ Most Promising Player of the Season.

A fine line-out forward and an athletic presence around the field, the 6ft 4ins, 17st 8lbs Cook has been a consistent figure within the squad and has become a firm fans’ favourite.

He played an instrumental role in the triumphant 2018 Challenge Cup campaign which culminated in victory over Gloucester in the final in Bilbao.

The 28-year-old was recently selected in the ultimate Blues team in the second row, following a public vote.

That saw him alongside the likes of Gethin Jenkins, Xavier Rush, Jamie Roberts, Martyn Williams and Josh Navidi.

He stands eighth in the all-time appearance list for the region and crossed for 17 tries in all.

“It’s sad to be leaving Cardiff Blues, particularly given the current circumstances and not being able to have a send-off with my teammates, all the great people at the Arms Park and, of course, the supporters,” he said.

“However, I look back on my career at the Blues with immense pride.

“This is my home region and it was always my dream to play professional rugby.

“To do that for 10 years at Cardiff Blues was amazing and I will always be grateful for the opportunities given and the friends I made along the way. There are so many stand-out memories.”