By David Parsons

This time last year Steff Emanuel was playing for Millfield School against Sedbergh in the Daily Mail Trophy.

Twelve months on and he will become the youngster Cardiff Rugby regional player to make his debut in European competition.

After just six senior games for Cardiff RFC in the new Super Rygbi Cymru competition the talented teenager will line up in between Tinus de Beer and the highly experienced Rey Le Lo. Opposite him will be the 24-year-ol Kiwi centre Josiah Maraku.

With Mason Grady and Rory Jennings both ruled out with injury, and Ben Thomas rested, Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt had no hesitation in giving the 18-year-old Emanuel his debut.

At 18-years & 159-days, Steff Emanuel is now the youngest player to represent the Blue & Blacks in Europe.

Yesterday, he received his jersey from @TomShanklin with his parents in attendance.

Llongyfarchiadau Steff!

https://t.co/tfMCXAw19w pic.twitter.com/gHS3lkTnWi

— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) December 6, 2024

Sherratt called in his mum and dad during the week to witness a special shirt presentation to him from the legendary Cardiff, Wales and British & Irish Lions star Tom Shanklin.

“Steff will become the youngest player to play for us in Europe and Rhys Barrett also gets a chance after being patient with a seat on the bench,” said Sherratt.

“He has trained all season with us and what has impressed me most is that he feels comfortable in the environment. You can see he has a quiet self-belief.

“Coming in and training alongside the likes of Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau when you are straight out of the sixth form must be quite daunting, but he has come in and talked to the forwards, called for the ball and hasn’t been at all hesitant physically.

“He’s a very popular member of the squad and it will be class for him to make his debut with Rey at centre.The SRC is there for player and coach development and it has been great for Steff to be able to play week in, week out.

“He now has a bank of senior rugby in his legs and that has led to him getting his chance at senior level. It must be so good for the other youngsters to see Steff get his chance.

“It shows them all that the regional first team is not far away from them. They can look at Steff and see what’s possible.”

Try for Steff Emanuel. @Cardiff_RFC v @CarmarthenQuins pic.twitter.com/pjtUvDFWnZ

— Jonathan (@MrJonathanCarr) October 5, 2024

Teddy Williams will lead the side for the first time and De Beer starts outside Ellis Bevan with Callum Sheedy on the bench. Alex Mann gets his first start since returning from injury and joins Alun Lawrence and Dan Thomas in the back row.

“This game gives us a chance to freshen people up and it’s a chance to give some of the internationals, like Ben Thomas, Cam Winnett and Keiron Assiratti, a chance to rest. They played in all six games in the start of our block and then for Wales, so we are going to give them a week off.

“It means a couple of youngsters get a chance along with a couple of the squad players who have been involved but not started.

“We talked on Monday about our history in the European competitions. We’ve won the Challenge Cup twice and we’d love to get a knock-out game at the Arms Park.”

Y Tîm | The Team @LeLOURugby

1⃣ Debut for Steff Emanuel
©️ Teddy Williams
1⃣1⃣ Changes to starting XV#AlwaysCardiff ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/rOAjDjUeUt

— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) December 6, 2024