Cardiff Rugby have bolstered their front-row resources with the signing of Ciaran Parker.
The tight-head prop has spent the last two seasons at London Irish, where he made 22 appearances before the club went into administration and has previously enjoyed spells at Sale Sharks, Munster, Jersey Reds and Leinster.
Parker will link up with his new teammates on Monday and is both relishing the opportunity and determined to drive the club forward.
Speaking ahead of his move to the Arms Park, he said: “It’s really exciting to make the move to Cardiff. It’s been a pretty tough time following the demise of London Irish so it was important to take time, reflect and make the right decision.
“Having spoken to the coaching staff here and some former players, who I have also played with, I am confident Cardiff is the perfect club for me.
“I’m looking to become a big part of this team, setting standards and bringing bits of information I have picked up at other teams to make Cardiff a real force.
“I’m hugely grateful for the club backing me and giving me this opportunity. After Irish there was some serious contemplation about continuing but in terms of the environment, the style of play and the standing of this club, I am really happy to join Cardiff.
“You don’t know how good something is until you lose it and every day I come into train and play I will appreciate it so much.”
Parker will compete with the likes of newly-capped Wales international Keiron Assiratti, fellow new signing Rhys Litterick and Will Davies-King for the number three jersey.
At 27-years-old, he remains relatively young for a tight-head but he is the most senior of the quartet at Cardiff Arms Park. He made 11 appearances in each of his two seasons at Irish and has gathered experience in the English Premiership, Championship, the BKT United Rugby Championship and both tiers of European competition.
Now he is eager to pass on the experience he has gained in Ireland and England, while fighting for a starting jersey.
He added: “It’s important for every player to see signs of progression and the amount I was playing last year in the Premiership was encouraging. I was on an upward trajectory and establishing myself in a club knocking on the top four. I have been diligent working in the off season as that is the trajectory I want to carry on with at Cardiff.
“I’m relatively young still for a tight-head and have had a good amount of game time but these are the years where I want to be hitting my straps.
“If you look closely at the way Irish play, the set-piece was a massive factor not only in terms of getting picked but excelling in performances. I also see myself as a heavy hitter in defence and I have the soft skills in attack.
“Seeing the two lads (Domachowski and Assiratti) start at the weekend for Wales is recognition for Cardiff’s set-piece being strong. I have been in environments where I have been really helped out with younger players and I want to reciprocate that now. The best way you get into a team is by being competitive training with each other but also by sharing information and experience.
“I’m really looking forward to linking up with the boys next week and getting up to speed ahead of the new season.”
Parker is the third new signing to join the club following Rhys Litterick and Tinus de Beer and Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt believes he will not only be a valuable asset on the pitch but enhance the environment off it.
He added: “We’re really pleased to strengthen our front-row resources with the signing of Ciaran. I have spoken to some of the Irish coaches and they could not speak more highly of him as a player and a person.
“As a player, he enjoyed a lot of game-time at Irish last year, who had a lot of other quality tight-heads and were pushing for the play-offs. His scrummaging is a strength, he is hardworking and packs a lot of power.
“He has spent time at some quality clubs during his career, whether coming through the ranks with Sale Sharks or spending time in Ireland with Munster and Leinster. He will bring all of that experience and knowledge to help drive standards here while reaching his best years as a prop.”