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Former Wales U20 captain Thornton reveals why he's leaving Ospreys for regional rivals
Rory Thornton is leaving the Ospreys to join regional rivals Cardiff Blues on a year-long loan deal.
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He is the third addition to the Blues squad in recent days, following the signings of Dmitri Arhip, also from the Ospreys and Jason Harries from Edinburgh.
The 23-year old second row, who signed a new deal with the Ospreys earlier this year, will link up with his new teammates next week.
Thornton saw his game time limited last season, injury restricting him to just four appearances, and following discussions between both regions and national team management, it was agreed that the former Wales Under-20’s captain will make the temporary move up the M4 to allow him the best opportunity to get more game-time and to assist his international ambitions going into a Rugby World Cup year.
“I need to be playing rugby and Cardiff need a lineout forward so this is a great outcome for everyone. It’s a good move for me in the circumstances and I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the squad next week and preparing for an important season”, Thornton said
“I’m grateful to the Ospreys for supporting me like this and also to Cardiff Blues for giving me the opportunity.”
Thornton reported to Cardiff Blues training base on Friday for testing ahead of the official start of pre-season on Monday.
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Cardiff Blues Head Coach, John Mulvihill, was glad to seal the deal.
“It’s great to welcome a player of Rory’s calibre to the Cardiff Blues.I have met him a few times now and I’ve been impressed with his desire to play international rugby again. He will get his opportunity to do this playing at the Cardiff Blues”, the Australian said.
“The support and cooperation by the WRU, Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys shows Welsh rugby is heading down a path where their best players will get the opportunity to play every week at the highest level. This collective mindset will ensure strength and depth at a national level going forward.
“From a Cardiff Blues perspective, it is important that we have strength in depth in the position and Rory is exactly the right type of lock to add to what we already have.”
Allen Clarke, Ospreys Head Coach, said:
“The decision to allow Rory to go to Cardiff Blues on loan has been made in his best interests, with international ambitions in mind.
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“A talented young rugby player like Rory will benefit from playing regular rugby, he has ambitions of going to the World Cup, and second row is a position where we have a number of options available. I want him to go to Cardiff and shine, knowing that we will welcome him back next year.
“It’s important for Welsh rugby that we work collectively to ensure the best outcome for individual players, regions and national team alike”
Comments on RugbyPass
The 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
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 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.
10 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.
39 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
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 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
39 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.
39 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.
39 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.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments