Jim Botham – grandson of cricket legend Sir Ian – has signed to play for the Cardiff Blues next season. The 18-year-old has agreed a one-year academy contract with the region and will move to the capital in June.

Kirby Myhill will become the third Scarlets player to leave the region and join the Cardiff Blues at the end of the season. The former Wales U20s hooker is joining second row George Earle and fly-half Steve Shingler in swapping red for blue in a bid to earn more regular rugby.

Cardiff Blues have signed Hurricanes centre Willis Halaholo for next season on a three-year deal. Auckland-born Halaholo – who turned down a chance to play for Tonga at last year’s World Cup – will move to the Arms Park after playing for Waikato in the NPC competition later this year.

Wales captain Sam Warburton has been warned he may have to settle for second best in his head-to-head with Scarlets flanker James Davies. The notice has been issued by Davies himself who believes his own form will allow him to put Warburton in the shade when they clash in his region’s Guinness Pro12 derby at home to the Cardiff Blues on Saturday.

Alex Cuthbert is out of Wales’ tour to New Zealand this summer after undergoing a knee operation. The Cardiff Blues player is expected to be sidelined for at least 12 weeks, putting him out of contention for the June trip which includes three Tests against the All Blacks.

Steve Shingler’s move from the Scarlets to the Cardiff Blues next season has been confirmed and he could be joined at the Arms Park by George Earle. Fly-half Shingler, 24, has been earmarked for the switch to the Blues since Rhys Patchell decided he would be travelling in the opposite direction.

Wales prop Rhodri Jones has confirmed he will leave the Scarlets this summer to join the Ospreys. It means the tight-head, who has found his chances limited by competition with Samson Lee, will have to give up his current national dual contract, shared by the Scarlets and the Welsh Rugby Union.