Cardiff Blues hooker Rhys Thomas to join Wasps

Cardiff Blues hooker Rhys Thomas is to leave the region at the end of the season to join Wasps.

Wales cap Thomas has been with the Blues since 2003, making a record 180 appearances and scoring 15 tries, but will leave to join up with former Cardiff boss Dai Young at the Aviva Premiership club.

The 29-year-old, who has won 27 caps, becomes the latest player to agree a move away from the Blues with fly-half Dan Parks and centre Casey Laulala joining Connacht and Munster respectively at the end of the season, while Wales prop Gethin Jenkins is set to join Toulon.

Forwards coach Justin Burnell said: "I would like to thank Rhys for his huge contribution to the Cardiff Blues over the past nine years.

"It has been a successful period for the team that saw us lift the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010 and the EDF Cup in 2009 thanks in no small part to the efforts of senior players such as Rhys."

PA