Cardiff Blues have announced that young Welsh prop forward Scott Andrews has signed a new three year contract with the region.
Andrews, one of the brightest Welsh prospects in the front row, was part of Wales’ Junior World Championship side that reached the last four of the inaugural tournament held in Wales in 2008 and also captained the side against France and Italy in the 2009 Under 20’s six nations.
The former Glamorgan Wanderers prop came through the Pontypridd Schools system and is a former pupil at Y Pant Comprehensive School.
Speaking at the Cardiff City Stadium, Scott said,
“I’m really happy with the way my rugby career is developing at the Blues. It’s a great squad to be part of with excellent training facilities and stadium.”
“I think the age grade system is working really well in the region with a lot of young local Welsh talent coming through. Sam Warburton and Bradley Davies are Blues Academy products and played well for Wales against South Africa.”
Having been capped at Under 16, Under 18 and Under 20 levels for Wales and captained his country in the Junior World Cup in Japan in June 2009 Scott has ambitions to play for his country at senior level.
“I’ve been training with the Wales squad for two weeks following Gethin’s withdrawal and it’s been pretty tough but I’ve enjoyed it. Obviously I’d love to play for Wales someday so training with the senior squad has been an extremely useful experience.”
Scott made his senior Blues debut in the Heineken Cup, coming on as a replacement for John Yapp when the Blues defeated Harlequins in Cardiff in October.
“I didn’t play as much first half of season but played more after Christmas which was great. The highlight was obviously playing in the Amlin Cup final which was brilliant”
“I was quite tense on the bench and quite nervous as it was the biggest crowd I’d played in front of, but as soon as I got on the pitch I forgot about that.”
“They threw everything at us at us and it was quite tough defending so hard for the last 10 minutes. Winning the Amlin Cup was a great achievement but we would like to progress further in the Heineken Cup next season.”
