Player Movements: Cardiff Blues

August 15, 2016
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Ultimate Rugby

After confirming the 16 players that will not be part of their 2016/17 season, Cardiff Blues has reshuffled its squad with just 7 new signings.

The upcoming Pro12 season will see Arms Park make room for these new signings:

Nick Williams (signed 23 December 2015 from Ulster)

Having also represented North Harbour, Williams joined Munster in 2008 and helped them secure the Celtic League title in his debut season.

He later moved to Italian outfit Aironi, where he scored 10 tries in 31 league games, before linking up with Ulster in 2012.

Williams, who is the older brother of Chiefs wing Tim Nanai-Williams and cousin of All Black Sonny Bill Williams, has made 37 appearances for Auckland Blues in Super Rugby.

Matthew Morgan (signed 7 January 2016 from Bristol Rugby)

Morgan made his debut for Ospreys in 2010 at the age of 18.

He scored an impressive 64 points in just four appearances for the Welsh Under-20 side.

Due to Leigh Halfpenny's injury, Morgann was included in Wales' 2015 World Cup squad.

Rhys Gill (signed 27 January 2016 from Saracens)

Gill, who has made more than 130 Saracens appearances, has helped Sarries win two English top-flight titles and was a 2014 European Champions Cup runner-up.

He will re-join Cardiff Blues from Saracens for the start of the 2016-17 season, after leaving Arms Park in 2009.

Steve Shingler (signed 4 March 2016 from Scarlets)

Shingler, capped by Wales at U20 level, made his competitive debut for Llanelli in 2009 before joining the Scarlets the following year.

After a two-year spell in England with London Irish, Shingler returned to Scarlets and became a key performer in the Guinness PRO12 and European Rugby Champions Cup.

Also in:

Willis Halaholo (from Hurricanes)

Kirby Myhill (from Scarlets)

George Earle (from Scarlets)

Players who left Cardiff this year:

Rhys Patchell (to Scarlets)

Sam Hobbs (to Newport Gwent Dragons)

Craig Mitchell (to Newport Gwent Dragons)

Chris Dicomidis (to Pontypridd)

Tom Williams (to Scarlets)

Miles Normandale (to Rotherham Titans)

Harry Davies (to Bath)