-Credit: (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Taulupe Faletau will make his long-awaited return from injury this weekend, starting for Cardiff in their Challenge Cup clash with the Cheetahs at the Arms Park.
The Wales No. 8 hasn’t played since breaking his shoulder against Ulster in April. That was his first appearance of 2024, having broken his arm against Georgia in the World Cup last October.
Faletau is one of 11 changes from Cardiff’s opening weekend defeat in Lyon, as 18-year-old academy graduate Tom Bowen starts on the wing for his professional debut.
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Cardiff handed a debut to Steffan Emanuel last week, with another of their promising youngsters now getting the chance to feature for the Blue and Blacks for the first time on Saturday night as Bowen starts alongside Wales internationals Cameron Winnett and Josh Adams.
Ben Thomas also returns to the starting XV, as do half-back pairing Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy.
Cardiff have opted for a 6-2 split on the replacement bench with Rory Jennings returning from injury to provide cover across the back-line.
“I think he can get very excited by the future,” said Cardiff forwards coach Corniel van Zyl about debutant Bowen. “We’re pushing forward players that are still young and can have a long career, to get opportunities. I believe he can get very excited.”
Winnett, who has enjoyed a breakthrough 2024, was equally effusive about Bowen – who had impressed his coaches and team-mates with a strong pre-season before making strides in Super Rygbi Cymru.
“I’m really chuffed for Tom,” said the Wales full-back. “He’s got his opportunity to play on the weekend.
“We’ve got around him. This week has been for him. It’s a big week for him, with his debut. He’ll be head-on for the game. He’s looking forward to it.
“We’ll try help him as much as we can and share as much experience as we can. But I’m still in that boat like Tom to be honest.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing him play on the weekend. He’s going to take his opportunity. It’ll be a big weekend for him and his family.”
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt added: “We’re looking forward to getting back to the Arms Park for a really important fixture in this competition.
“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 on Saturday.
“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 18 and just a week after Steff Emanuel.
“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.”
Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Tom Bowen; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Will Davies-King, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau,
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Kieron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Alex Mann, Alun Lawrence, Johan Mulder, Rory Jennings.