Cardiff sign lock Jonny Green from Harlequins
Cardiff have signed lock Jonny Green from Harlequins, with the move taking effect straight away. The 22-year-old has joined on a long-term deal, adding a tall forward to a squad currently seventh in the United Rugby Championship.
A lock is one of the big second-row forwards who pack down behind the front row in the scrum and usually win the ball in the lineout, the set piece where the ball is thrown back into play from the touchline. It is a position that rewards height, strength and patience, and it is rarely short of competition.
Green was born in Sussex, but he qualifies for Wales through his mother, and his parents live in Gowerton, near Swansea. That Welsh link runs through his career. He played for Wales at two World Rugby Under-20 Championships, the global tournament for teams of players under 20, and he was invited to train with the senior squad during the 2024 Six Nations.
He came through the Harlequins academy, the club's pathway for young players, and went on to make 30 appearances for the London club. Harlequins announced his departure on 4 November. Earlier this year, he signed a contract extension with them last December, which makes this move a clear decision on both sides rather than a loose end.
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl now has Green alongside Teddy Williams, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton and Tom Manz in the lock group. Competition for places in the second row is likely to be tight, and Green will have to earn his minutes in training and matches alike.
For Cardiff, the signing adds depth at a position where injuries and rotation can quickly stretch a squad. For Green, it offers a new stage after a few seasons spent learning his trade in London. Because he qualifies for Wales, his progress at Cardiff will also be watched by those who select the national team.
Cardiff's next fixtures will show how quickly he can settle into a new group. Lineouts and scrums tend to reveal the strength of a pack early, and the coaches will be keen to see how he fits in.
