Tom Bowen is hoping to put the frighteners on the Ospreys in Saturday night’s Halloween derby at St Helen’s.

The electric 20-year-old, who is yet to lose a Welsh derby, has been named on the left wing for Cardiff Rugby and is expecting plenty of fireworks in Swansea. 

He has warned the Blue & Blacks to be wary of the Ospreys monstrous maul and a cauldron-like atmosphere at the Ospreys’ new home but he is relishing the occasion and challenge that lies ahead. 

Reflecting on his experience of Welsh derbies in his burgeoning career, he said: “They are fun memories really. I don’t think I’ve actually lost a derby yet so I definitely loved it. 

“Last time out against the Ospreys at the Arms Park, we beat them and the crowd was unbelievable and I’m sure it will be again at St Helens.

“I’m actually really excited to go to St Helens. It’s not so much a new ground but it’s a different place to play and there’s a bit of history there so I’m looking forward to going.

“But the Ospreys are a tough team to beat. We’ve got to stay disciplined – I think that’s the main thing. They’ve got a strong maul, so we need to keep them out there.

 “The most important thing is how we put our game on the field and right a couple of wrongs from the last three weeks.”

Lessons to learn…

Bowen, who now has 11 tries in 18 first team appearances, is referring to a bruising run of fixtures where the Blue & Blacks have faced reigning URC champions Leinster, Gallagher PREM champions Northampton Saints and a star-studded Hollywoodbets Sharks. 

Cardiff have performed admirably in all three fixtures, remaining in the fight and having opportunities to win. However, errors in key moments cost dearly and Bowen knows his side need to be both more accurate and ruthless. 

He continued: “We look at the last few weeks, and I think there’s clinical moments where if we are a little bit smarter or a little bit more clinical, we can look at those results a bit differently. We want to put right some wrongs and hopefully we get a win.”

Role model Adams returns

Bowen partners the vastly experienced Josh Adams on the wings. The Wales international is the only player to be released from Steve Tandy’s Nations Championship squad, in order to get further game time after making just his first start of the season last weekend. 

It provides a timely boost for the Blue & Blacks, who are contending with an unavailable list of 18 players, including seven from the back-three. 

And Bowen has nothing but praise and admiration for the 31-year-old former British & Irish Lion, who takes on key leadership role within the backs. 

Bowen added: “In terms of what’s happened last year, I think you’ve just got to grow on that. Every time you take the training field or you take to a game, you’ve got to improve.

“The age I am, you’ve to be a little bit like a sponge and try and take everything in, especially when you’ve got the likes of Josh Adams around you. It’s a massive help, not just for me, for the whole team, the effect he has on everybody around him. 

“He speaks so well. You see how he plays as well, he gives a buzz to everyone. I think he suits it, to be honest. The way he leads stuff, the way he talks, it’s phenomenal. 

“To have him in the environment with us, it’s awesome. It’s really influential for us, he’s just really helpful. He is a big talker, he still plays by example as well.  You see what he does on the field. 

“He’s just an all-round top bloke as well who’s just willing to help everybody around him and his actions speak for itself.”