Cardiff Rugby have announced that former Wallabies prop Scott Sio has signed for the club from Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Sio won 74 caps for Australia, before returning to the international stage for Samoa, for whom he won two more caps.

The 34-year-old has played for Exeter Chiefs since 2022, and will transfer from Sandy Park to Cardiff Arms Park.

Sio joins Malan Le Roux as Cardiff’s new additions for the 2026/27 season as they look to build on a positive campaign in the United Rugby Championship.

“I’m super excited to be joining Cardiff, who have such a rich history with so many world class players having worn the blue and black.” Sio said.

“With this new opportunity I am looking to continue growing as an individual and player, while contributing to the club’s aspirations.

“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.

“I have been impressed by what I have seen and heard so far, and I can’t wait to get stuck in next season and meet the passionate fans.”

Sio will arrive in the Welsh capital following the departures of Ed Byrne and Corey Domachowski.

He will compete with Rhys Barratt and Danny Southworth, who he already knows from his time at Exeter.

“We are really pleased to bring a player of Scott’s calibre and experience to the club,” head coach Corniel Van Zyl added.

“We had a really open and honest conversation with Scott when we met him and we were really impressed.

“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.

“He is very good at set-piece – scrum, maul and lineout is his bread and butter but around the pitch he has all the attacking and defensive qualities you need, combined with a good temperament and understanding of the game.

“Further to this, his experience can really add to our group, helping the likes of Danny, Rhys and our other young props, while driving standards across the group.

“From the meeting it was very clear that Scott wants to add to the environment and he will have a voice in the group. We want to bring in players that are good people, who can add to us on and off the pitch and Scott certainly ticks all the boxes.”

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