Cardiff Blues will drop the phrase Blues from their title subsequent season and rebrand as Cardiff Rugby.
There may be an up to date emblem and the facet will return to the outdated conventional membership colors of blue and again.
The semi-professional facet, who play within the Welsh Premiership, stay as Cardiff RFC, nicknamed ‘The Rags’.
“We see this transformation as a key step within the evolution of top-flight rugby in Cardiff,” mentioned chief govt Richard Holland.
The Cardiff Blues title was the one one which had survived for the reason that inception of regional rugby 18 years in the past.
Newport Gwent Dragons, Llanelli Scarlets, Neath-Swansea Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Celtic Warriors have been created as Welsh rugby’s prime echelon was lowered from 9 membership groups to 5 new regional sides in 2003.
A 12 months later the Warriors, made up of a mixed Bridgend-Pontypridd group, folded.
Ospreys dropped Neath-Swansea from their title in 2005 and Scarlets did likewise when Llanelli was faraway from their moniker in 2008 earlier than Newport-Gwent additionally disappeared 9 years later.
Now Cardiff have turn out to be the primary facet to drop the nickname, somewhat than shedding the title of the town or city.
The transfer, which is able to formally kick in on 1 August, will trigger controversy in elements of the area who’ve struggled to determine with the group as it’s based mostly within the Welsh capital.
The area say the choice was made following evaluation of current buyer demographics, constant supporter suggestions and wider market analysis with discussions involving supporter teams, sponsors and different key stakeholders together with the Welsh Rugby Union.
“We see this transformation as a key step within the evolution of top-flight rugby in Cardiff,” mentioned Holland.
“We’re proud to embrace our wealthy heritage and historical past, which fits again greater than 145 years, and encompasses greats of the sport together with Bleddyn Williams, Cliff Morgan, Gareth Edwards, Terry Holmes and Gethin Jenkins.
“Cardiff Rugby is a world-renowned model and we merely should leverage that to construct sustainable success on and off the sphere.
“Cardiff is globally recognised in rugby circles. Over an extended interval, our supporters and sponsors have been clear that is what they need.
“I’m happy we’ve been capable of reply in a constructive approach, particularly at a time after they have stood beside us.
“That is additionally one of the best ways ahead for the event of gamers, with nearer alignment between all of our groups and Cardiff RFC now returning to be the standard ‘Rags’ to Cardiff Rugby.”
Cardiff say they continue to be totally dedicated to fulfilling their wider regional duties for Welsh rugby.
“Now we have a long-standing dedication to growing from inside and have seen our illustration in any respect ranges develop,” added Holland.
“Ninety-five per cent of our senior squad is Welsh and nearly 70% are merchandise of our rugby growth pathway.”
The announcement has been made prematurely of the 2021-22 season and a transition interval will now happen.
“I see this because the continued evolution of the well-known model and Cardiff Rugby coming residence with widespread sense prevailing,” mentioned Cardiff RFC chairman Chris Norman.
“With our two groups now totally aligned, gamers can see a transparent and enhanced pathway and I look ahead to the Blue and Blacks flourishing at each a semi-professional {and professional} stage.”
