Carre’s back at Blues as Biggar stays with Saints
WALES prop Rhys Carre last night confirmed he had rejoined Cardiff Blues on a long-term contract.
The eight-times capped loosehead left at the end of last season to join European and English champions Saracens. But now he’s heading back to the Arms Park in the wake of Sarries being relegated to the Championship over wage cap breaches.
The Blues have been targeting the 22-year-old for months and now they have confirmed they have got their man.
Commenting on his return, Carre said: “It’s great to sign for Cardiff Blues and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Arms Park and once again playing my part.
“I have enjoyed my time at Saracens and playing and training with a massively experienced and successful squad has been hugely beneficial.
“But Cardiff Blues are a team I am really passionate about. It is the team I supported as a kid, I came through the system here and I want to be part of what we are building.
“I obviously know all the boys and it’s a really exciting squad, which is only going to get better and there is a great culture throughout the organisation.”
Carre was uncapped when he signed for Saracens, so he was not impacted by the WRU 60-cap rule and remained eligible for Wales.
He made his Test debut against Ireland last August and then, just days later, he was a shock selection in Warren Gatland’s World Cup squad.
The ball-carrying youngster ended up playing five games in Japan and made two further appearances in this year’s Six Nations.
Head coach John Mulvihill said: “We are all obviously thrilled to sign a player of Rhys’ calibre and look forward to welcoming him back here.
“We were disappointed to see him leave last year, but he comes back with more experience, not only from playing and training with Saracens but following a hugely impressive World Cup and Six Nations.
“He will bring further strength in depth to our front-row resources, where we have a great blend of youth and experience. I am confident Rhys will become a major figure for us over the years ahead.”
He is the third forward to agree a deal with the Blues, following on from Sam Moore and Cory Hill.
■ DAN Biggar has ruled himself out of the running for a move to bigspending Beziers next season by extending his stay in the Gallagher Premiership with Northampton.
The Wales outside-half was reportedly among a raft of English Premiership players being sounded out by the ambitious French outfit, who look set to be awash with Middle Eastern cash this summer as a takeover by a United Arab Emirates billionaire nears completion.
Biggar and his Northampton teammate Courtney Lawes, the England international, were among their early targets, with New Zealand stars Ma’a Nonu and Beauden Barrett plus Argentina ace Juan Imhoff also in their sights.
But Northampton announced yesterday that Biggar and Lawes are two of 19 players to pen extended deals at the club.
They join a clutch of players to commit their futures to Northampton with others including Lewis Ludlam, Piers Francis, Teimana Harrison and George Furbank, plus Rory Hutchinson.
“Getting so many influential players bought in to what we’re trying to achieve, and committed to staying with us for an additional two or three years, is a huge coup,” said director of rugby, Chris Boyd.
“We firmly believe we have the players in place already at Franklin’s Gardens to compete at the very highest level of English and European rugby and to challenge for every trophy available to us.”
And though Northampton didn’t stress the length of the contract extensions their players had signed, 30-yearold Biggar will continue to remain eligible for selection by Wayne Pivac, having 83 caps to his name.