Dmitri Arhip

Dmitri Arhip (born 12 November 1988) is a Moldovan rugby union player who plays for the Dragons RFC at Tighthead Prop. He is also a Moldovan international.^[1][2]

Dmitri Arhip

Arhip at the 2012–13 Heineken Cup in a match between Toulouse and Ospreys.
Birth name	Dmitri Arhip
Date of birth	(1988-11-12) 12 November 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Camenca, Moldova
Height	182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	120 kg (18 st 13 lb; 265 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead Prop Current team Dragons RFC Youth career 19??-2003 Kishniev Blue Marine 2003-2006 CS Dinamo București Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2006-2009 CS Dinamo București () 2009-2012 Enisei-STM () 2012-2018 Ospreys 91 (20) 2012-2013 → Bridgend Ravens (loan) 2 (0) 2018-2023 Cardiff Rugby 70 (0) 2023- Dragons RFC 9 (0) Correct as of 14 April 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2010–2015 Moldova 20 (20) Correct as of 14 April 2025

Career

Early years

Born in Camenca, Moldova he joined Kishniev Blue Marine, at 15 years old he moved to Romania to join Dinamo București, winning back to back national titles in 2006-07 and 2007-08.^[3][4]

He went on to join Enisei-STM in the Russian Rugby Championship, winning two league titles in 2011 and 2012. Enisei-STM travelled to Ireland in 2012 for pre-season friendly against Connacht where Arhip was spotted by Swansea based side Ospreys.^[5]

Wales career

Ospreys

He signed as injury cover in the 2012-13 season for the Ospreys, as well as featuring twice for Bridgend Ravens.^[6] He scored his first try for the Ospreys in his first season in a clash against Newport Gwent Dragons. On New Years Day, 2016, Arhip won his 50th cap for the Ospreys against Newport Gwent Dragons.

Cardiff

After 5 seasons with the Ospreys, he was set to leave to join Montpellier in the Top 14 on a €500,000 a year deal, however the deal fell through,^[7] Arhip was snapped up by Cardiff Rugby.^[8][9][10] Making his debut in the first round of the 2018-19 Pro 14 against Leinster. In February 2023, while playing against Benetton Arhip injured his Achilles, putting an end to his season.^[11][12] His contract ended in June 2023, with him injured he was unable to train and spent 8 months without a wage.^[13]

Dragons

He began training on trial at Dragons RFC to help with his rehabilitation, he was signed as a short-term deal as injury cover in March 2024.^[14] The tight-head made his debut soon after at home against Zebre in a 20-13 win at Rodney Parade, making a total of five appearances before the end of the season. Arhip was given a new deal ahead of the 2024/25 season.^[15][16]

Honours

CS Dinamo București

• Liga Națională de Rugby
  • Champions: (2) 2006-07, 2007-08

Enisei-STM

• Russian Rugby Championship
  • Champions: (2) 2011, 2012
  • Runners-up: (2) 2009, 2010