Dillon Lewis is the latest player to extend his stay at Cardiff Arms Park after penning a new long-term deal.
The Wales World Cup star was due to come out of contract in the summer but has followed the likes of fellow international Josh Navidi in pledging his future to Cardiff Blues.
Lewis is yet to feature for his home region this season but is now fit and available for selection and he is relishing the opportunity to play a vital role in the years to come.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign this new deal and commit my long-term future to Cardiff Blues. This is my home region, I have come through the ranks here and I’m really excited about the future and what we are building.
“I was pleased with the World Cup but it’s been frustrating to have missed the last month or two due to injury and now I’m just looking forward to getting back on the pitch for Cardiff Blues and doing what I can to help the team.
“We have a really competitive squad and there is a lot of quality at tight-head with Dima (Dmitri Arhip), Bubba (Scott Andrews) and Azza (Keiron Assiratti) all going well. You need that depth to get through the season and it also ensures we are all constantly on our toes and improving.
“It is a squad which is improving and developing and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the next few years.”
Since making his senior debut in 2015, Lewis, who came through the ranks at Pontypridd, has made 50 appearances for the Blues.
He broke onto the international stage in 2017, going onto win 22 caps and play a key role in the 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam and Rugby World Cup.
John Mulvihill was pleased to secure the future of Lewis, who he sees as a key figure within the Cardiff Blues squad and will continue to improve in the capital.
Mulvihill added: “I’m really happy to have Dillon re-sign at the Blues and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can achieve during this next period.
“He has already achieved a great amount and established himself in the Wales set-up but he has enormous potential to get even better.
“He is also a great bloke around the environment and will be a key figure for us moving forward. With Dillon, Dmitri, Keiron and Scott, we have a good stock of tight-heads, with a nice blend of youth and experience and they will only drive each other on.”