Cardiff Blues are delighted to confirm academy prospects Rhun Williams and Corey Domachowski have signed long-term senior contracts with the region.
The former Wales Under-20s duo have both established themselves in the first team squad in recent months and have made 18 and 20 appearances respectively, to date.
Williams attracted widespread interest from rival teams but had little hesitation in committing his long-term future to Cardiff Arms Park.
Speaking of the decision, Williams said: “I had a few options to consider but I’m really happy to have signed with Cardiff Blues, I’m delighted.
“There’s a really good group of boys here, the staff are great and I’m really comfortable here. It’s at Cardiff Blues that I really see myself progressing.
“I would never have thought I would be signing my first professional contract after less than two years with the Blues but the way it has gone here gives me great confidence.
“There are so many good, young players coming through and I wanted to experience the next few years with them. It’s a really good group and, both individually and collectively, I really think we can grow.”
The Caernarfon-product made the move south ahead of the 2016-17 season and made his debut against Benetton Treviso in November.
Following a fine breakthrough season he was selected in Wales’ summer tour squad but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Domachowski made his Cardiff Blues debut nine months prior to Williams and is one of several promising prospects in the pack.
The former Wales Under-20s has appeared in all but one of the Blues’ encounters so far this season and is looking forward to continuing his progression with his home region.
He said: “Re-signing with Cardiff Blues was non-negotiable for me and I’m delighted to get it done. This is my home region and I grew up wanting to be a professional rugby player here.
“I could never had imagined I would have had so many opportunities already but I feel like I’m always improving here, both from playing and training with the likes of Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Gill and Taufa’ao Filise.
Both players have come through under the tutelage of Richard Hodges at both Cardiff Blues and Wales Under-20s.
Hodges believes it is essential for the future of the region that they continue to produce and retain such prestigious talent and he is confident Williams and Domachowski will play a big role for years to come.
He added: “It is great news that Rhun and Corey have decided to commit their futures to Cardiff Blues.
“More than half of the first team squad are home grown, supplemented by our academy and that is vital to our progression, in line with our strategic plan of developing from within.
“Both Rhun and Corey have already played a big part this season and will be vital for Cardiff Blues moving forward. We have a great group of young players coming through and they are hopefully just the first to sign senior deals.”