Tom Cottle says he can’t wait to get started with the Blue and Blacks when he joins this summer.
The second row signed a senior academy contract earlier this year, and will combine his academy programme with game-time for Cardiff RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru and study at Cardiff Met.
Before he starts at Cardiff, he will join Wales U20s for their World Championship campaign, where he will team up with six other young Blue and Blacks.
He has already been in camp with them on the lead up to the competition and said he has bedded in well with his new clubmates.
“I’m starting next year, but I’ve spent a lot of time down here with the 20s boys and getting to grips with things,” said Cottle.
“Obviously I’m good mates with all the lads currently down there in the academy and I just can’t wait to get started come pre-season.
“It’s been a step up from playing up north and under 18 stuff, but it’s been a challenge that I feel I’ve embraced well.
“I love coming into training every day and I think I’ll get the same feelings starting at Cardiff in the summer.”
Cottle is hoping to play for the RFC over the next couple of years to continue to develop his game, but also use the opportunity to tap into the knowledge and experience of first team players like Teddy Williams.
“I’d love to play a couple of Cardiff RFC games. I think that’s where the majority of my rugby will come next year. I can’t wait to get stuck into that.
“If further opportunities do come down the line, I’ll look forward to them too.”
“We had a training day with the seniors a couple of months back in the Six Nations camp.
“I actually got to run along with Teddy Williams and listening to him and learning off him just excites me for next year.
“I’m just going to take in as many lessons as I can off him. He’s definitely a player I look up to and I hope to build my career around.”