New era.

Following extensive consultations with key stakeholders, Cardiff Blues have confirmed that they will become Cardiff Rugby for the 2021-22 season and beyond.

As part of this evolution, an updated logo has been designed and the club will return to its traditional, colours of blue and black.

The club said this heralds a new era for the Cardiff Arms Park outfit with Dai Young back at the helm as Director of Rugby, plans advancing for a new training complex and a “young and exciting squad of home-grown talent developing.”

The decision was made following analysis of existing customer demographics, consistent supporter feedback and wider market research with discussions involving supporter groups, sponsors and other key stakeholders including the Welsh Rugby Union.

As part of the process, there has already been a realignment of elite development pathways at the Arms Park with the Indigo Group Premiership side, Cardiff RFC, set to operate as the Rags when semi-professional rugby returns.

Cardiff Rugby Chief Executive, Richard Holland said:

“We see this change as a key step in the evolution of top-flight rugby in Cardiff. We are proud to embrace our rich heritage and history, which goes back more than 145 years, and encompasses greats of the game including Bleddyn Williams, Cliff Morgan, Gareth Edwards, Terry Holmes and Gethin Jenkins.

“Cardiff Rugby is a world-renowned brand and we simply have to leverage that to build sustainable success on and off the field. Not only is Cardiff globally recognised in rugby circles, but it is also the commercial powerhouse of Wales and one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK and Europe.

“Over a long period, our supporters and sponsors have been very clear that this is what they want and I am pleased that we have been able to respond to them in such a positive way, especially at a time when they have stood beside us.

“This is also the best way forward for the development of players, with much closer alignment between all of our teams and Cardiff RFC now returning to be the traditional ‘Rags’ to Cardiff Rugby.

“We are enormously excited to see what the future holds and look forward to seeing the blue and blacks run out at the iconic Arms Park, whether in the Regional Age Grade competitions, Indigo Group Premiership, Guinness PRO14 or European competition.”