By Paul Jones
Last week it was Steffan Emanuel who was stepping up into the big time with Cardiff Rugby in Lyon and this weekend it will be his fellow teenage idol Tom Bowen who gets his big chance.
With seven tries in seven games for Cardiff RFC in the Super Rygbi Cymru since returning to his home region from the Bristol Bears academy, the 19-year-old has impressed in training right from the start.
When announcing he was giving the 18-year-old Emanuel his debut in the EPCR Challenge Cup head coach Matt Sherratt said he would have had no hesitation in pitching Bowen into the fray if required.
This week he gets his big shot against the Toyota Cheetahs at the Arms Park.
At the other end of the age and experience scale there is a very welcome return for Taulupe Faletau.
He will be making only his second start of 2024 after finally recovering from a broken shoulder sustained in Belfast against Ulster in April – his first game back after recovering from a broken arm in the World Cup six months earlier.
Bowen and Faletau are among 11 changes from the side that lost the lead just after the hour mark against Top 14 side Lyon in Round 1.
Cam Winnett and Ben Thomas return to the back line, while Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy start at half-back. Fit again Rory Jennings returns to bench duty after fulfilling HIA protocols.
“I think Tom can get very excited by the future. We’re pushing forward players that are still young and can have a long career, to get opportunities,” said Cardiff forwards coach Corniel van Zyl.
Cardiff picked up a try bonus point for scoring four tries in their 37-26 defeat in Lyon. Now Sherratt is looking forward to getting back to the Arms Park to put on a show for the supporters.
“We have spoken this week about how much we would love to have knockout rugby at the Arms Park and that process starts against the Cheetahs. It’s a really important fixture in this competition,” said Sherratt.
“It’s brilliant to be able to bring the likes of Liam Belcher and Toby Faletau back after injuries, and we are all really pleased to see another pathway graduate, in Tom Bowen, make his debut at just 19.
“Cheetahs are a quality side. They drew with Perpignan last week and will be coming here with a real point to prove. They are well coached and have a lot of dangerous players so we will need to be at our best.”
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