Tom Bowen will head to the World Rugby Junior Championships in Georgia this summer with a real spring in his step.
The 20-year-old Cardiff Rugby wing picked up a hot of prizes at his region’s recent awards night and has now been crowned the ‘URC Next-Gen Player of the Season’ through a vote by the media.
That accolade came on top of the Aberdare RFC product being named as the ‘Breakthrough Player of the Season’ and ‘Fans’ Player of the Season’ at Cardiff. He also picked up the ‘Try of the Season’ award for his stunning effort in the play-off clinching victory over the Stormers at the Arms Park.
The URC award was open to players who were 23 and under and had no more than five international caps at the beginning of the season. They also had to have made at least nine appearances during the league campaign.
Bowen’s electrifying running game and acrobatic finishing saw him score six tries in 11 games during the regular league season’ He notched 10 tries in all across the campaign, including a double against Ireland in the U20 Six Nations Championship.
“It’s been a pretty special season, making the BKT URC Play-Offs, making history for Cardiff. It’s a club I have grown up watching because I’m a local boy and Cardiff is my home club,” said Bowen.
“To break through in the season that we have had is pretty special. The season has gone so quickly – it feels like only yesterday we were kicking off against the Lions at the start.
“The whole season has just been so enjoyable, and I just love playing at the Arms Park.”
Now he will turn his attentions to helping Wales U20 in his second season at the World Rugby Junior Championships. Wales are in the same pool as host nation Georgia, Uruguay and reigning world champions South Africa.