Cardiff Rugby landed a hat-trick of front-row re-signings
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Cardiff Rugby landed a hat-trick of front-row re-signings
Cardiff Rugby have landed a hat-trick of front-row re-signings with newly-capped Keiron Assiratti committing his future to the Blue and Blacks.
The tight-head prop impressed on debut for Wales as they secured a 20-9 World Cup warm-up victory over England, to cap a memorable season.
With new deals for Corey Domachowski and Liam Belcher confirmed in recent days, Assiratti joins his teammates to complete the Rhondda front-row at Cardiff Arms Park.
The trio started the last five games of the season as a front-row unit and enjoyed some impressive performances, most notably in the European Challenge Cup victory over Sale Sharks and last week’s Judgement Day triumph over the Ospreys.
Assiratti is the youngest of the front-row trio to re-sign at 26, and made his first team debut during the 2016-17 campaign.
Another graduate of the Rhondda Schools and Cardiff Rugby North pathway, Assiratti has now made 64 first team appearances and has formed a reputation as a powerful and technical scrummager.
He added: “I’m delighted to stay at Cardiff and get a deal done. I’ve always wanted to play for Cardiff and I am privileged that I’ve done that. Now I just want to carry on playing and improving.
“It was a good end to the season and I’ve enjoyed that run of games, which was really good for me. I’ve had to bide my time but I think I’ve done well when I’ve played and I’ve enjoyed it as well.
“Next season I just want to play as much rugby as I can, enjoy it and hopefully win matches.”
A part of the Rhondda Row re-signing is Corey Domachowski.
Domachowski received interest from elsewhere but has now pledged his future to the Blue and Blacks.
The loosehead prop has established himself as a key figure at the Arms Park and enjoyed some stellar form in the 2022-23 season, which included crucial tries against Dragons and Sale Sharks.
He started the last five games of the season, alongside fellow Rhondda-born front-row forwards Liam Belcher and Keiron Assiratti, and was rewarded with a place in Wales’ extended World Cup training squad.
The Gilfach Goch powerhouse made his first team debut in 2016, featured through the club’s successful European Challenge Cup run in 2018, and has now amassed 101 appearances for his home club.
He said: “It’s nice to extend my stay. Cardiff is all I’ve known at the moment and I still feel like I have some unfinished business.
“It makes things better when you are playing week in, week out. I didn’t get the start to the season that I wanted but the season ended in a good way.
“Both Rhys (Carré) and I both want that starting jersey but I’ve managed to keep it towards the end of the season. We are always on each other’s backs, trying to get the best out of each other. Healthy competition is good for everyone and that’s driving us on.
“It was great to finish the season on a high against the Ospreys and hopefully next season we can continue to improve as a group.”
Liam Belcher, a first team star, also committed his future to Cardiff Rugby.
The 27-year-old follows the likes of front-row teammate Corey Domachowski and fellow home grown talents Theo Cabango, Ben Thomas and Teddy Williams in signing fresh terms at the Arms Park.
Belcher, who made his first team debut for the club in 2014, has now made 64 appearances for the Blue and Blacks and he is relishing the opportunity to help drive the team forward in 2023-24.
He said: “I’m really grateful and happy to have the opportunity to represent the club for the next few years. It’s a club that means a lot to me given the fact that I have come right through the system here.
We have a good group of players, with some exciting talent coming through, and we are determined to work hard for each other, the supporters and the badge. With Jockey (Matt Sherratt) at the helm we are excited to see what the future holds."
Belcher came through the ranks of Trebanog before earning a call-up to the Blue and Blacks’ academy. He captained the club’s Under-18s and is another player to have starred for Wales Under-20s.
He made the move to Dragons in 2017, but moved back to his home club a year later and has been a key figure since, adding 59 appearances to his tally.
