Today we turn our attention to hooker as we ask supporters to select their Cardiff Blues Ultimate XV.
Hundreds of supporters picked their favourite loosehead prop yesterday, with Gethin Jenkins coming out on top with a landslide 96% but who joins him in our regional dream team?
Kristian Dacey (2010-present | 158 appearances | 26 tries | 8 caps for Wales)
Since making his debut in 2010, Kristian Dacey has been a prolific try scorer in the number two jersey, breaking into the region’s top ten all-time try scorers. Having originally featured as a back row, Dacey established himself in the Blues side and his regional performances catapulted him to
full international honours, and he has also skippered his home region on a number of occasions.
T Rhys Thomas (2003-2012 | 182 appearances | 15 tries | 27 caps for Wales)
Abercynon-born ‘TRT’ was a firm fan favourite at the Arms Park and introduced himself to the regional scene in style, by making a try-scoring debut in the festive derby against Celtic Warriors. The hooker, who started in the 2010 Amlin Cup final win over Toulon, remained with Cardiff Blues until 2012, where he moved to Wasps. However, he eventually returned to the Arms Park as an academy coach - a role he still holds today.
Matthew Rees (2013-2019 | 96 appearances | 2 tries | 60 caps for Wales | 3 caps for British and Irish Lions)
Tonyrefail-born Matthew Rees arrived at Cardiff Blues as an established international hooker, who had also won Test caps for British and Irish Lions. Rees added crucial experience and leadership into the pack, and the Welsh International also showed admirable character to bounce back from a battle with testicular cancer and return to action. Rees hung up his boots in 2019 after an astonishing 329 professional appearances in his career.
Gareth Williams (2003-2011 | 149 appearances | 8 tries | 9 caps for Wales)
Gareth Williams featured in the very first season of regional rugby and enjoyed an eight-year spell with Wales’ Capital Region. The hooker, who started in the Heineken Cup semi final against Leicester Tigers in 2009, won nine caps for Wales, while amassing an impressive 149 appearances at regional level.
Create your own survey at doopoll.co
Cardiff Blues Ultimate XV: 15 , 14, 13, 12, 11; 10, 9; Gethin Jenkins, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.