Blues no longer Yapping

Cardiff revealed on Thursday that John Yapp and Richie Rees will leave the Blues at the end of the season to join Edinburgh

Yapp burst onto the Cardiff club scene in 2002, making his first team debut against Ebbw Vale on Boxing Day at the age of 18. Since then he has gone on to make 161 appearances for the Blues and won the first of his 21 caps for Wales in the country’s Grand Slam winning Six Nations championship of 2005.

Speaking of his decision to move, Yapp said it was the “right time” for a change of scenery.

“I’ve been with Cardiff and the Blues since I was 17, starting with Cardiff Youth and I’ve had a fantastic time here,” Yapp said.

“It’s a long time to be with one team so I felt the time was right to move on and face a fresh challenge.

“I’ve always liked Edinburgh as a city, as it’s quite similar to Cardiff, so I’m looking forward to a new challenge and playing outside of Wales.

“Edinburgh have demonstrated what they are capable of in this year’s Heineken Cup.

“There are many people to thank at the Blues, but David Young is the person who really developed my career and I spent most of it being coached under him.

“There have been many highlights during my time here [in Cardiff] from the Anglo-Welsh and Challenge Cup wins to some big Heineken Cup games.

“I’ve made some really good friends here as well and will miss them but I’d like to wish everyone associated with the Blues the best of luck for the future.

“There will be a young side here next season which promises to be very exciting.”

The Blues scrumhalf, Rees, who announced he would be leaving the club in March has also joined Edinburgh.

Rees joined the Blues from London Irish in 2007 helping win both the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 08/09 and the European Challenge Cup in 09/10.

He has made 97 appearances for the Blues, scoring five tries. He won the first of his nine Welsh caps against England in the 2010 Six Nations and scored his debut international try against Australia in the 2010 year-end Test series.
 
Edinburgh are obviously delighted at the news, as they attempt forge a championship-chasing future.

Just two days after announcing the arrival of Georgian World Cup star Dimitri Basilaia, the Welsh pair – Yapp and Rees – confirmed that they too are set to join the club’s ranks.

Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley believes that the latest additions to the squad are a testimony to the improvements being made on and off the park at the club, and a belief that players can achieve great things at Murrayfield.

He said: “Edinburgh Rugby have earned some landmark results this season and we’re delighted that quality players are becoming increasingly aware of the bright future being pieced together here at Murrayfield, as we seek to build on the advancements made this season.

“John [Yapp] brings a wealth of experience with this performances for Wales during a very successful period for the national side.

“He has a huge passion for the game and has expressed a desire to broaden his horizons with the challenges that rugby can offer him here at Edinburgh Rugby and by being part of the brand of rugby we play.

“Richie [Rees] is a very talented, international scrum-half. He’s a quality player who possesses a natural ability to make breaks.

“He’s also a very good organiser so should be a perfect fit for the direction in which we’re looking to drive Edinburgh.

“Both players and will add a significant amount of force to our challenge in both our Pro12 and Heineken Cup campaigns next season.”