Cardiff Rugby has moved quickly to fill its front-row vacancy left by Corey Domachowski’s departure to the Scarlets, announcing the signing of experienced 34-year-old prop Scott Sio, who will join the United Rugby Championship side this summer following four seasons with England’s Exeter Chiefs.
Sio’s decades-long elite rugby career has seen him compete at the very top of the international sport, with an unusual cross-national representative journey. After earning 74 caps for the Australian Wallabies, including a starting spot in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand and a place in the 2019 tournament squad, he switched his international allegiance to Samoa last year. He went on to play a key role in helping Samoa secure qualification for the 2026 Rugby World Cup, following in the footsteps of his father David, who represented Western Samoa at the 1991 World Cup.
Before his move to Exeter in 2022, Sio made 143 appearances for Australia’s Super Rugby side Brumbies. To date, he has notched up 80 caps for the Exeter Chiefs, with 13 starts coming in the current 2024/25 season. When he arrives at Cardiff Arms Park, he will compete for starting positions alongside existing props Danny Southworth and Rhys Barratt.
In a statement following the announcement of the signing, Sio said he is eager to bring his decades of elite experience to Cardiff’s young roster, both on and off the pitch. “With this new opportunity I am looking to continue growing as an individual and player, while contributing to the club’s aspirations,” he explained. “I am also hoping that I can bring my wealth of experience to this young squad, especially with props coming through, to help the club both on and off the field.”
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl shared his enthusiasm for the signing, noting that Sio’s proven track record and professional attitude made him an ideal addition to the squad. “We had a really open and honest conversation with Scott when we met him and we were really impressed,” van Zyl said. “His career to date speaks for itself, 74 Tests for Australia, two for Samoa, over 100 games for Brumbies and 80 for Exeter. He is durable, has played at the highest level and is keen to test himself in a new environment and competition.”
Sio’s arrival comes as Cardiff reshuffles its front-row roster: Domachowski has moved to the Scarlets, while fellow prop Ed Byrne departed earlier to return to Ireland’s Leinster on a short-term deal after two injury-plagued seasons in Cardiff. Sio is the club’s second confirmed new signing for the upcoming campaign, following last week’s announcement of a deal for Namibian centre Le Roux Malan from the Sharks. The Blue and Blacks have also locked down key talent for future seasons, agreeing new contract extensions with Welsh internationals Josh Adams, Alex Mann, James Botham, Mason Grady, Keiron Assiratti and Danny Southworth.