Blues sign up Filo Paulo

Cardiff Blues have announced the signing of Samoan international lock Filo Paulo on a two-year contract.

Paulo (25) has three Samoan caps, including his country’s shock 26-19 win at the Millennium Stadium last November, while he also counts Ulster and Super XV side the Blues among his former employers.

The six foot six lock adds to the Blues’ recent signings Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins, who are set to join the region in the summer, and will help provide cover for their Welsh stars when the Six Nations is in progress.

The New Zealand-born player said: “I am very excited to be joining Cardiff Blues. I know a lot of great players have worn the team’s colours, so I am extremely grateful to be offered this opportunity and I will be giving my all in order to meet the high standards set by my team-mates, the coaching staff and the supporters.

“Cardiff is a great city and the people are very friendly, which will make the transition to Wales much easier. The dedicated fans and awesome game atmosphere are second to none, so I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

Blues’ director of rugby Phil Davies said: “We are looking at specialist positions in recruitment, such as front row players and scrum halves.

“However, wherever possible in your back five of the scrum or the back five from the half backs, centres, wingers and full backs we are looking for some versatility. Because of the restrictions of the salary cap it is important to have certain versatility.

“Taking those principals on board, Filo’s ability to play at four, five, six or eight was a big influence on him coming here. He is the right age profile and has an immaculate injury record, physically he is extremely fit. He will definitely add value to the current crop of back five players for us.

“He will be with us all the time, week in week out, and we have four other second rows who are all Welsh qualified. His arrival will add strength and depth to the team.”

Paulo’s other Samoan appearances also came in last year’s Autumn Internationals against France and also against Canada at Colwyn Bay’s Eirias Park.

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Rees to join Blues in summer

Former Wales captain, hooker Matthew Rees, is set to join Cardiff Blues from Llanelli Scarlets in the summer after agreeing a two-year contract.

The 57-times capped Welshman has captained his country on eight occasions, and will leave Parc y Scarlets after nine years with the region.

“Leaving the Scarlets has been a tough decision to make after being there for so many years,” said the 32-year-old Tonyrefail native. “[That] is where I established myself as a player, however I feel that this is the right decision at this point in my career.

“From working with Phil [Davies, Cardiff Blues coach] in the past, I know he is a very organised coach, and knows how to get the best out of players. I am looking forward to working with him again.

“So far this season, I have been really impressed with the young players that Phil has brought through and now with some key signings to strengthen the squad, I’m sure there will be more success to come from the team, which with my experience I hope to contribute to.”

Rees played in all three of the British Lions tests in South Africa in 2009, and formed part of the famous all-Welsh front row alongside Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones.

He missed the 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign through injury, and has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth at Llanelli since, so has decided to move on to pastures new.

Scarlets coach Simon Easterby wished Rees well for the future, saying: “Matthew has contributed a great deal to the region during his years with us; he has set high standards, made a mark for others to aspire to and been a strong mentor for a number of our younger forwards in recent years, pushing their development forward.

“We respect Matthew's reasons for moving to a new region and wish him all the very best with the Cardiff Blues.

“He leaves with our sincere thanks, gratitude as a region and respect for all he has done and achieved in a Scarlets shirt. He has been a key part of our team.”

Further bad news for Scarlets comes in the form of centre Rhodri Gomer-Davies announcing his retirement after failing to overcome a knee injury.

But fans will be buoyed, though, by the news that hooker Emyr Phillips and prop Phil John have signed new contracts with the region.

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