**Significant Departures for Cardiff Rugby as Nine Senior Players Exit**
Cardiff Rugby have announced the departure of nine key players this summer, marking a significant period of transition for the Welsh region. Among those leaving are a much-admired club icon and a prominent Wales international, with fans expressing both gratitude and concern as the team reshapes its squad for the forthcoming season.
The news was formally acknowledged ahead of Wednesday’s annual Cardiff Rugby awards ceremony, with deep appreciation shown for the contribution of centre Rey Lee-Lo. The 38-year-old Samoan international, who spent ten years at the Arms Park and made 180 appearances, has been celebrated for his influence both on and off the pitch. Cardiff’s official statement lauded Lee-Lo as “one of our greats,” underscoring the impact he has had since joining the region and quickly becoming a crowd favourite.
Also departing is Wales international Regan Grace. The versatile back, who signed as injury cover in January, featured in four matches but has opted to pursue other opportunities after a challenging introduction to rugby union. Grace, previously a star in rugby league with St Helens, has not ruled out returning to his original code, citing ongoing interest within league circles and a desire to fully explore his sporting potential.
Among the list of exits is flanker Gwilym Bradley, who is leaving after an injury-disrupted five years with Cardiff. Bradley’s time at the club was often marred by fitness issues, limiting his chances to make a lasting impression in the first team. Despite this, he remains respected for his professionalism and commitment during his spell in the Welsh capital.
The exits have not come as a surprise to close followers of the club, with several of the other departures having been widely anticipated. Wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb, eligible for Wales and England at international level, is one such player on the move. Hamer-Webb finished the season brightly, scoring seven tries in his final four matches for Cardiff, including an impressive hat-trick against the Ospreys on Judgement Day. Speculation mounts that he is poised to join the Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership, even though he missed out on a call-up to the Wales squad for the summer’s Japan tour.
Additionally, the trio of Seb Davies, Thomas Young and Tinus de Beer are all heading east to the Dragons. Young, a four-cap Wales international, has already been officially unveiled by his new club. Deals for Davies and de Beer are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. Their collective departure marks a notable shift in the balance of experience between the two Welsh regions.
Rising talent Efan Daniel, a 22-year-old hooker who had previously received a national call-up, is also leaving, with the Ospreys reportedly close to securing his signature. In the front row, Rhys Litterick has already signed a two-year contract with Edinburgh, having only joined Cardiff from Harlequins last season.
In acknowledging the outgoing players, Cardiff posted a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter): “Before the awards begin, we’d like to thank those who are leaving us, and wish them the best of luck for the future. Diolch.” This public display of gratitude reflects the respect and affection felt for those moving on, as well as the reality of change in professional rugby.
Despite the scale of departures, Cardiff are not standing still. The club have recruited several reinforcements, with Wales back row Taine Basham arriving from the Dragons, offsetting the loss of some experienced personnel. Additionally, Welsh international Ioan Lloyd has joined from the Scarlets, while promising Wales U20s second-rower Tom Cottle will step up after signing a Senior Academy deal in January.
As the Arms Park side look to balance the loss of seasoned campaigners with fresh signings, the coming months promise to be a crucial period in shaping the team’s future. Supporters will watch with interest to see how the new-look Cardiff squad comes together when the next campaign gets underway.