Cardiff Rugby have strengthened their front-row resources with the signing of Scott Sio in a major coup for the club.
The 76-cap loose-head prop has spent the past four season at Exeter Chiefs but now swaps Sandy Park for Cardiff Arms Park.
Sio is the second signing announced by the club ahead of the 2026-27 season and it signals a significant statement of intent as the Blue & Blacks continue to build.
The 34-year-old spent the majority of his career Down Under where he made 143 appearances for ACT Brumbies and won 74 caps for the Wallabies.
He moved to Exeter in 2022 and has made 80 appearances for the Gallagher PREM club but will now make the short trip to South Wales to experience the BKT United Rugby Championship.
I can’t wait to get stuck in!
He said: “I’m super excited to be joining Cardiff, who have such a rich history with so many world class players having worn the blue and black.
“With this new opportunity I am looking to continue growing as an individual and player, while contributing to the club’s aspirations.
“I am also hoping that I can bring my wealth of experience to this young squad, especially with props coming through, to help the club both on and off the field.
“I have been impressed by what I have seen and heard so far, and I can’t wait to get stuck in next season and meet the passionate fans.”
Sio will arrive in the Welsh capital following the departures of Ed Byrne and Corey Domachowski.
He will compete with Rhys Barratt and Danny Southworth, who he already knows from his time at Exeter, while also playing a key mentoring role for the up-and-coming duo.
A boost for Cardiff… and Wales
Corniel van Zyl is thrilled to secure the services of the powerful forward and believes he will bring invaluable experience both on and off the pitch, which will benefit not just Cardiff but Welsh rugby as a whole.
Van Zyl said: “We are really pleased to bring a player of Scott’s calibre and experience to the club.
“We had a really open and honest conversation with Scott when we met him and we were really impressed.
“His career to date speaks for itself, 74 Tests for Australia, two for Samoa, over 100 games for Brumbies and 80 for Exeter. He is durable, has played at the highest level and is keen to test himself in a new environment and competition.
“He is very good at set-piece – scrum, maul and lineout is his bread and butter but around the pitch he has all the attacking and defensive qualities you need, combined with a good temperament and understanding of the game.
“Further to this, his experience can really add to our group, helping the likes of Danny, Rhys and our other young props, while driving standards across the group.
“From the meeting it was very clear that Scott wants to add to the environment and he will have a voice in the group. We want to bring in players that are good people, who can add to us on and off the pitch and Scott certainly ticks all the boxes.”
