Cardiff Rugby have signed another youngster, with the signing of Ioan Leyshon on an academy contract and scholarship.

Leyshon, a powerful centre, joins the likes of Ben Coomer, Bailey Cuts, Alfie Prygodzicz, Sonny McCabe and Luke Alexander-White in signing with the academy this summer.

Academy Manager Gruff Rees said –

“Ioan is another product of the successful Pontypridd Schools Pathway and has really impressed with his integration into the Cardiff Rugby Age Grade groups whilst we invited him to train over the summer.

He has really Stepped up and shown the characteristics of a Cardiff Rugby player and has been totally committed across all of the programme.

He is a centre with an excellent skill set and communicates well on the field with a strong physical presence. We look forward to supporting his development further in partnership with Coleg Y Cymoedd.”

Cardiff have prioritised the development of young talent in recent seasons with the likes of Alex Mann, Cam Winnett, Evan Lloyd and Mackenzie Martin have all been propelled from the academy to the international stage in a matter of years.

Leyshon has represented Beddau RFC at Youth and Junior levels whilst he has just finished year 11 at Garth Olwg School where players such as Harri Wilde and Steffan Emanuel have also excelled.