Andy Powell has been a member of the Cardiff Blues squad since 2005. The back row forward joined from the Llanelli Scarlets and has previously played for Beziers, Leicester and Newport. Powell is a former Wales U21 and Wales A player.

In his first season with the region Powell made 21 appearances for the Blues and scored two tries. After sustaining injury in the clash against Ulster in April 2006, Powell had shoulder reconstruction surgery at the start of the 2006–2007 season, and missed the majority of the season.

He made a comeback in the 48-0 thrashing of Edinburgh in the Magners League in April 2007, scoring one of the eight tries in the mauling. In a cruel twist of fate, Powell sustained another shoulder injury, to the left this time, before the close of the season. He underwent major shoulder surgery for the second time in a matter of months, ensuring that he would miss the start of the 2007–2008 season.

A deadly runner in the loose and powerful off the base of the scrum, Powell flourished at the beginning of the 2008-09 season which he began as the first choice No8 in the Blues squad due to former All Black Xavier Rush being injured.

He produced eye catching performances in both the EDF Challenge Cup and Heineken Cup. Wales coach Warren Gatland went as far as describing his efforts as ‘world class.’

Powell followed those displays with further block busting performances for Wales in the autumn to gain further plaudits. He made the end of season trip to South Africa with the British Lions and despite making five appearances was unable to make the Test side.