Cardiff hooker Iestyn Harris has left the region with immediate effect to join English big guns Exeter after not being offered a new deal. The former Wales U20s international was due to come out of contract this summer and, given the competition in his position, there was no place for him in Dai Young’s plans.
With that in mind, and following a request from Exeter, it was agreed to allow the Church Village-born 23-year-old to make the move immediately. Amid injuries, he has been limited to just three appearances for the Arms Park-based region, the last of which was a Champions Cup start against Toulouse in December. He has had 14 outings for the Cardiff RFC Premiership team and is currently recovering from shoulder damage.
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Director of Rugby Young, said: “Iestyn leaves Cardiff with our thanks for all of his efforts at the Arms Park and our best wishes for the future. With three first team hookers currently contracted and the likes of Efan Daniel progressing well through our pathway, we are well stocked in the position and this is a good opportunity for Iestyn.”
The senior squad hookers on the books are Welsh internationals Kirby Myhill and Kristian Dacey, plus Liam Belcher, while prop Kieron Assiratti has also been tried out in the position this season.
Giving his thoughts on his immediate switch to Sandy Park, Harris said: “I am really excited about the move. Obviously I was supposed to start here next season, but thanks to the club and Cardiff, I’m here now and I am really enjoying myself.
“Exeter is a fantastic club, full of quality players, and who are always challenging for honours and developing players. It’s a huge opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to the future.
“I also want to thank everyone at Cardiff for all the time and effort they have put into me over the years. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today, so I will always be grateful to them for giving me that chance.”.
Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said: “We were looking to add a hooker to the senior squad for next season and Iestyn’s name was one of those we looked at. His agent sent me a few games of him playing, I had a good look at those and I liked what I saw.
“After that, he came down to the club, we did his medical, we had a chat, and he came across very well. Talking with Iestyn, he just looks like one of those guys who has an ambition, a dream, a drive, just to be the best player he can be. He’s played this season in the Champions Cup and he ticks a lot of the boxes I like to see in a young player.
“I’m grateful to Dai Young and Cardiff for releasing him early, so that he can come down here and finish off the final bits of his rehab on his shoulder injury, as well as get integrated into what we do here at the club. With Luke Cowan-Dickie still sidelined and with Iestyn himself getting close to return, there could be an opportunity for him to break into the first team before the end of the season.”
