Giant England star among 7 new signings set for Cardiff debut

Cardiff will feature seven new signings in their opening pre-season friendly against Ealing Trailfinders tomorrow at the Trailfinders Sports Club.

Among the new additions is England second-row Josh McNally – the 6ft 7ins, 19 stone plus forward having arrived at the Arms Park following five seasons at Bath. McNally made 84 appearances for Bath and played at the Arms Park in the Investec Champions Cup last December.  He will be partnering Teddy Williams in the second row.

McNally isn’t the only international player set earn his Cardiff stripes. Wales’ scrumhalf Aled Davies will almost certainly make his debut for the region after signing from English Premiership side Saracens over the summer.

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Liam Belcher has been named captain for the match and will lead a side that includes academy products Tom Bowen and Steffan Emanuel, both rejoining the club this summer and in line for their first senior appearances.

Alongside Belcher in the front row are Rhys Barrett and Rhys Litterick. The back row includes Ben Donnell, Alun Lawrence and Dan Thomas – who joined from Bristol Bears over the summer.

In the backs, new signings Johan Mulder and Josh Thomas will start at half-back, with Rory Jennings and Harri Millard at centre. The back three consists of Iwan Stephens, Gabriel Hamer-Webb and the aforementioned Bowen.

“We’ve had a really good off-season and the boys have trained very well, but we’re now looking forward to getting back out on the pitch for what should be an entertaining encounter against Ealing Trailfinders and an important step in our preparations for the BKT United Rugby Championship season,” said Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt.

“By winning the Championship last year, Ealing showed they are a very strong outfit and should give us a good test tomorrow.

“We’ve gone with a blend of youth and experience for this opening game, and included plenty of the new faces who joined us in the summer.

“The fixture is the perfect opportunity to blood them into the team, look at a few new combinations and give them some valuable game time.”

The Welsh side will use rolling replacements with 13 players on the bench including new signings Dafydd Hughes, Danny Southworth, Aled Davies and Steffan Emanuel.

Cardiff Rugby: Tom Bowen; Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Harri Millard, Rory Jennings, Iwan Stephens, Josh Thomas, Johan Mulder, Rhys Barratt, Liam Belcher, Rhys Litterick, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Ben Donnell, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Dafydd Hughes, Danny Southworth, Will Davies-King, Rory Thornton, Gwilym Bradley, Aled Davies, Tinus de Beer, Matty Young, Efan Daniel, Lucas de la Rua, Mackenzie Martin, Steffan Emanuel, Rey Lee-Lo.