Ben Thomas has been rewarded for his fine form and vast potential with his first senior contract at Cardiff Blues.
The 20-year-old, who scooped the Cardiff Blues’ Academy Player of the Season award in May, starred throughout the 2018-19 campaign both for Cardiff Blues A and Cardiff RFC.
He helped the Blue & Blacks to the National Cup title, scoring a try in the final, and also won the Premiership Newcomer of the Year award.
Now the Cardiff and Vale College product has penned a long-term senior contract, having linked up with the first-team squad for pre-season.
John Mulvihill said: “Ben is another young player who has been rewarded with an opportunity to further his rugby education at the Cardiff Blues after some impressive form in both our A program and for Cardiff RFC.
“We look forward to working closely with him on all areas, both on and off the field, to ensure his future success.
“This is the start of a very bright future and we are surethat Ben has the right skills, talent and character to succeed at the next level.”
Thomas, who is now studying history and sociology at Cardiff University, has come through the Cardiff Blues age-grade set-up and also represented Wales Under-18s and 20s.
He is delighted to commit his future to his home region and is determined to learn as much as possible as he strives for first-team action.
He said: “It’s a dream come true to sign my first senior contract at Cardiff Blues.
“It’s my home team, I’ve come through the ranks here, I’ve grown up watching at the Arms Park, particularly when the likes of Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny and Casey Laulala were here.
“Now I’m just looking forward to putting my hand up for selection. The Premiership and Celtic Cup has put me in good stead and helped build my confidence and skill-set. I’ve also spent the last two years training with the senior squad and feel I can now step-up.
“I just want to push to break into the match-day squad and get some first-team game time - I have already learnt a huge amount from being in and around the senior environment.
“Seeing what the likes of Owen Lane and Jarrod Evans have achieved gives me confidence about kicking on and playing with such a young and talented squad, that is developing together is also a hugely exciting prospect.”