4:05pm, 07 April 2019

Much-fancied Cardiff Blues prop Rhys Carre is set to leave Wales for London – according to reports coming out of Wales.

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Wales Online are reporting that Carre is set to join Premiership giant Saracens, leaving behind – temporarily at least – any chance of playing for the national side.

Carré was a standout for Wales U20s and there were high hopes that he would eventually develop into a force for the national side.

The 21-year-old made his first Guinness PRO14 start for the club in February against Edinburgh but had featured heavily off the bench for much of the season as an impact sub.

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Despite his size (6’3, 132kg) the youngster is renowned for his ability around the pitch as a powerful ball carrier. According to Wales Online, Saracens pounced as contract negotiations with the Cardiff Blues were delayed due to ‘Project Reset’.

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The giant prop’s profile appears to have been removed from the club’s ‘Senior Squad’ page.

It’s not all bad news for the club. Last week three of side’s rising stars put pen-to-paper on their first senior deals with Wales’ Capital Region.

Forwards Keiron Assiratti, James Botham and Shane Lewis-Hughes have pledged their future to Cardiff Blues and will continue their development at the Arms Park.

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Highly-rated tight-head prop, Assiratti, has already racked up 25 first team appearances, having made his debut during the 2016-17 season.

He has made six appearances to date in the current campaign, while also turning out for Cardiff Blues A and Pontypridd.

Assiratti has represented Wales through all the age-grades where he has forged a reputation as not only a devastating scrummager but a mobile and skilful ball-carrier.

Assiratti is one of several promising front-row forwards coming through the ranks at Cardiff Blues with Dillon Lewis and Corey Domachowski all under the age of 23.