Cardiff Blues have signed Australian flanker Ben White from ACT Brumbies.
A tenacious competitor, White last season progressed through to the senior Brumbies squad having previously been a regular in Brumby Runners and Canberra Vikings teams to that point.
Born in Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, White, a British passport holder, was raised in Canberra and attended St.Edmunds College, the school that also produced his Brumby teammates Matt Giteau and George Gregan.
The 22-year-old flanker was inducted into the Brumbies Academy in 2002, after representing Australia Schools, and has advanced through the Brumbies junior development pathway to the full-time squad within four years.
Ben arrived on Friday and was at the Arms Park to watch his new team mates against Glasgow Warriors that evening:
I spoke to Blues Academy Manager, Justin Burnell who was visiting Australia during the summer and things have thankfully developed from there. I am very much looking forward to contributing and hopefully playing well for my new team.
" It is also a great chance for me to expand my rugby experience and of course be part of another strong squad on the other side of the world here at The Blues. said White.
Ben is obviously a versatile back row player. At 64 hes obviously in the mould of Scott Morgan, hes rangy, very aggressive and can cover the whole back row so hes a great addition to our squad. said David Young Cardiff Blues Director of Coaching.
Playing Position: Flanker
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 104kg
Date of Birth: 23 November 1983
Place of Birth: Gosford, NSW