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Wales lock Thornton makes permanent switch to Cardiff Blues
Rory Thornton has completed a permanent switch to Cardiff Blues from the Ospreys, following a successful season-long loan at Cardiff Arms Park.
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The 6ft 7in lock made 20 appearances for the Blues during his debut season, making his Cardiff Blues debut against Leinster on the opening day of last season and went on to play his part in 14 Guinness PRO14 fixtures, as well as five pool stage matches in the Heineken Champions Cup.
“Cardiff Blues have shown big faith in me by offering me this permanent deal, and that has been a huge thing for me. I really enjoyed my first season, and it’s a great opportunity to continue my progress here,” the 24-year-old.
“At the start of the season, I struggled a little bit coming off the back a shoulder injury, but it was about getting some confidence back and having a run of games under my belt.
“Towards the second half of the season, I felt I was getting back into form and I’m excited to have an opportunity to kick on next season and build on that with Cardiff Blues.
“I met John (Mulvihill) for the first time at the start of last season, and he really set a good impression on me before I came, and I know the likes of Tom Smith, Richard Hodges and Jason Strange from working with them in the past.
“There’s big potential in this team, and I find the way we’re playing really exciting, especially with the likes of Jarrod at 10 and having boys like Owen Lane, Aled Summerhill and the new signings out wide.
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“Ospreys obviously played a big role in my development, and I’m thankful to the organisation for their support over the years, but now I’m really excited to start a new chapter and making this move is the best step for my career.”
Thornton, a former Wales under-20 captain, has been included in several Wales senior squads and toured the Pacific Isles in 2017, making his debut in the 19-17 victory over Samoa.
Head coach John Mulvihill is delighted to welcome the lock back into the squad on a permanent basis as he continues to build for the future with Hallam Amos, Josh Adams and Will Boyde also joining the region.
He added: “Rory really impressed us during his loan spell, and we’re delighted to welcome him back to the Cardiff Arms Park for the foreseeable future.
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“His form, particularly in the second half of last season, saw him becoming an important player during the run-in, and his ability in the set-piece is going to be crucial for us.
“He slotted into the squad culture immediately, which is always important when recruiting, and I know he’s very excited to have the opportunity to continue his Cardiff Blues career.”
Thorton came through the ranks of the Ospreys Academy, the former Bonymaen RFC youngster played 59 times for his home Region, injury restricting him to just four appearances in his final season before heading to Cardiff last summer.
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments