Cardiff Blues have received a boost ahead of their Welsh derby match against the Dragons on Sunday with the confirmation that they have signed second row forward Deiniol Jones and hooker Gareth Williams on new contracts.
Gareth Williams has signed a new three year contract with the region that will keep him at the Blues until 2013.
A former pupil of Brynteg School in Bridgend, Gareth captained the Wales under-18 team that included Blues team mates Rhys Williams and Gary Powell. He made his international debut in the 2003 Six Nations’ fixture in Italy and signed for the Blues that summer.
Recognised as one of the most hardworking players around the rugby pitch, the industrious Hooker has notched up 119 appearances for the Blues and has won seven Welsh caps.
Speaking at the Vale of Glamorgan Training Centre, Gareth said,
“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with the region. Although I had offers from clubs in France, there was nowhere else I wanted to go.”
“I’ve been at the Blues for seven years and this new contract will take me up to 10 which is great. I love playing for the Blues and it really feels like home for me now.”
“I feel that there is something good happening with the Blues at the moment with the new training facilities and new stadium, although we have had a bit of the a blip at the start of this season, I’m sure we will come out of it and we showed great character with the win over Toulouse at home.”
“I still have ambitions to win silverware with the region and ambitions to play for Wales and hopefully my chance will come during the Six Nations.”
Deiniol Jones has signed a new two year deal that will keep him with the region until 2012.
Originally from Cardigan where he attended Ysgol Gyfun Llandysul, Deiniol Jones went on to study Chemistry at Bath University in 1997 where he caught the eye of the scouts of Bath RFC. He joined the Blues in 2004 and has been one of the most consistent players for the Blues over recent seasons and currently holds the record for the most appearances for the Blues with 138 appearances.
An unsung hero for the Blues, the 32year old seven cap Lock is almost always in the match day twenty-two and has made 14 appearances out of 15 competitive matches for the Blues so far this season.
Speaking at the Vale of Glamorgan Training Centre Deiniol said,
“I’m obviously delighted to have signed a new contract with the Blues.”
“I feel that the squad has grown from strength to strength over recent seasons and now there is a real competition for places in the starting XV which is healthy.”
“The training facility and stadium are also obviously a huge step forward for us and no doubt are up there with the best around.”
Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young added,
“Deiniol has been one of our most consistent players over recent seasons and the type of guy you don’t really appreciate until he’s not playing.”
“He does all the unseen donkey work around the field and always gives you 100%.”
Speaking of Gareth Williams, Young added,
“To me Gareth has been the form hooker in Wales over the last year.”
“He’s proven to be a real leader both on and off the filed for the Blues and is a great guy to have around – he’s very industrious and seems to be everywhere around the pitch.”
“It’s a real boost to the squad that both Gareth and Deiniol have signed new contracts with the region.”
“It shows that the region is certainly heading in the right direction.”
