Cardiff Blues can confirm that Jason Tovey will be joining the region for the 2012/13 season
Speaking of his decision to move from the Dragons to the Blues, Tovey said:
“I had a look around at my options and the facilities at the Blues were one of the big factors for me deciding to join them.”
“It’s by far one of the best training centres I’ve seen.”
“It’s got everything on one site, from the gym, to training pitches, medial rooms, analysis rooms to the leisure facilities and kitchen. There’s not a lot more you can ask for.”
“Also having the opportunity to play with the likes of Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny and Sam Warburton is, for me personally, a big step forward in my career.”
"I grew up playing alongside Leigh and Sam at Wales under 16’s to the under 20’s and still keep in touch, so it would be good to meet up with them at the Blues.”
“One of the other key things I looked for was playing Heineken Cup rugby and hopefully I can also push for international honours.”
“The Blues have got some world class backs, so one of the things I’ll be looking to do is ignite the backline.”
“Hopefully after working together during the summer, that is something that we can do going into the new season.”
“For the past five years I’ve been with the Dragons and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
“The coaching team and fans have been great. I only live down the road and no doubt will still see them and keep in touch.”
Speaking of the signing Cardiff Blues backs coach Gareth Baber said:
“Jason has got a very good kicking game that can cause opponents problems, but over and beyond that he’s a smart player.”
“He’s played a lot of his career at fullback and we see him as an attacking threat.”
“He is a good strategist but also a threat with ball in hand.”
“Jason is ambitious, with a good work ethic and one of the key reasons he wanted to join the Blues was the chance to play more Heineken Cup rugby”
“I’d certainly like to see Jason continue with the form that he’s shown for the Dragons.”
“The game does move on and the players that we have worked with over the last two or three years have been great for us, however, change is at hand and things move on.”
“I think Jason is a big piece of that jigsaw and we want him to develop alongside a number of players that are beside him”
“I coached Jason at Dragons under 18’s and Wales under 20’s so obviously I got to know him and he was a stand out player at that age as well.”
“Physically he’s developed and has become a class act.”