RAG U16 Championship. At Under 18s level, Cardiff Rugby U18 compete in the RAG U18 league against similar teams from Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and RGC. Current Cardiff U18 Head Coach is Chad Mutyambizi. High performing players from the U18 squad are offered Cardiff academy contracts. In recent years, the club has begun offering academy contracts to players at a younger age in an effort to retain players targeted by private schools and clubs in England. The current Cardiff Academy manager is Gruff Rees who also serves as Director of Rugby of the Cardiff RFC Welsh Premiership team. Past graduates of the Cardiff academy system include Sam Warburton Jamie Roberts Tomos Williams Leigh Halfpenny Ellis Jenkins Josh Navidi and Rhys Patchell. Ownership and management Correct as of May 2022. The ownership of Cardiff Rugby Ltd is held by a collection of shareholders, including the life president, Peter Thomas, Cardiff Athletic Club and numerous minority shareholders including shares managed by the Supporters Trust, CF10. Current standings United Rugby Championship Coaching staff Former head coaches Current squad Academy squad Notable former players Cardiff players who have won international caps for Wales. Players to have won international caps with other countries: British and Irish Lions The following players have been selected to play for the British and Irish Lions touring squads while playing for Cardiff since 2003. Results and statistics Celtic League / Pro12 / Pro14 / United Rugby Championship Celtic Cup Heineken Cup / Rugby Champions Cup European Rugby Challenge Cup Anglo-Welsh Cup EPCR milestones In 2004 Cardiff Blues received the ERC Elite Award for having played 50 games in the Heineken Cup. This record began in 1995 when Cardiff RFC recorded an away draw at Bordeaux, and continued following the reorganisation of Welsh rugby in 2003. As of 2022, Cardiff Rugby have played 124 matches in European Competition, making them joint 8th (with ASM Clermont Auvergne) on the all time list. Rhys Williams has made more appearances for Cardiff in the top tier of European Cup Rugby than any other player with 78 appearances. Martyn Williams appeared 85 times in European competition, with 17 of his appearances coming with Pontypridd RFC. Rhys Williams is also Cardiff's top try scorer in the competition with 22. Club honours Anglo-Welsh Cup – 2008–09 European Challenge Cup (2) – 2009–10 (first Welsh team to win a European Trophy), 2017–18 See also Rugby union in Wales Rugby