Yardley signs for the Blue and Blacks as Jenkins retires

Cardiff RFC have made a first signing of the summer as hooker Evan Yardley returns to South Wales after a number of seasons in Colwyn Bay with Rygbi Gogledd Cymru.

The 24-year-old hails from Bridgend originally, attending Bridgend College alongside playing age grade rugby for the Ospreys. He featured for Bridgend Athletic and Aberavon, and made an Anglo-Welsh Cup appearance off the bench against Cardiff Blues in November 2013.

However, having not made the grade at the Liberty Stadium, Yardley headed North and over the last few years has become a key player, starting and scoring as RGC won the WRU National Cup in 2017.

He also featured for the Scarlets Premiership Select XV in the British and Irish Cup while in North Wales, and this season won the Supporters’ Player of the Year as a fitting way to end his career at Parc Eirias.

Yardley will come in as Ian Jenkins retires from playing at 34 years old after a number of years playing at the top level of semi-professional rugby in Wales.

He arrived at the Arms Park at the start of the 2017/18 season, having previously worked with head coach Steve Law at Bedwas RFC, taking up a role initially as general front row cover capable of playing prop and hooker.

It was in the number two jersey that Jenko made his own though, after the unfortunate knee injury to Joey Tomlinson, making 19 starts at hooker in 26 appearances, but with the captain back this season he made just four Premiership starts at hooker.

Jenkins still had plenty of impact off the bench though, and finishes with 52 appearances and 10 tries to his name, as well as becoming a crowd favourite at the Arms Park.

Good luck in whatever is next Jenko!