Rhys Thomas and Rhys Williams Sign 2 year contract

Captain Williams
By Andrew Collins
December 2 2005

Rhys Thomas and Rhys Williams have signalled their intent with the Blues by signing a 2 year extension to their contracts. The pair have had very contrasting seasons, with Williams being dropped from the Welsh squad, whereas Thomas is debateably Wales' new 1st choice hooker.

Captain Williams said,

"I have been with the Cardiff and the Blues my whole career and still have the desire and appetite to win trophies with them. It was a great honour to be appointed Captain and to lead the side. There is a real belief that we are progressing as a squad."

And the push for trophies continues on Sunday, a win against London Irish could still be enough to see us through, as long as Saracens beat Wasps away.

As for Thomas,

"I’m obviously delighted to have signed the new contract. I feel I have developed and improved as a player with the Blues and to win my first cap this summer was a brilliant feeling. There is great morale within the squad and we feel that we are improving as a team with every game."

The re-signing of Thomas is definately the bigger coup of the 2. TR has impressed with Wales this year after a great last season with the Blues, despite making few this season. With Gareth Williams and Duane Goodfeild to keep him on his toes, there'll be no rest for 23 year old as he looks to assure his position as first choice hooker come the 6 nations.

Speaking on the recapure, coach Dai Young said,

"To have two quality players such as Rhys Thomas and Rhys Williams sign new contracts is a real boost to the Blues. It shows our ambition that we are keen to hold on to such players in addition to the new signings we brought in over the summer."

There are still players whose contracts run out at the end of this season, noteably Gethin Jenkins and Rob Sidoli. The former Warrior pair seem to have settled here after a unhappy start, but with Jenkins in particular having such a good year, the Blues will do well to get the prop to resign.

Other players include, Tristan Davies, Matthew Nuthall, Kort Schubert, Ben Evans, Mark Lewis, Martin Jones, Deiniol Jones, Roger Warren to name most. Expect to see the majority of that list leave with particulaly the Warrior failures not negotiating.

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