Welsh teenager continues to rise as brace brings Cardiff victory

Tom Bowen kept up his remarkable start to the season, with his two tries proving the difference as Cardiff edged past Connacht 14-8 at the Arms Park.

It was a nervy evening in the Welsh capital, with neither side making the most of their chances. But Bowen's two moments of magic - the second just minutes from time - were enough to seal the Blue and Blacks' second victory of the season.

That moves the club up to fourth in the United Rugby Championship.

The Arms Park side did lose second-row Teddy Williams to what looked like a serious ankle injury in the first-half.

Given the unsettling start to the season, losing head coach Matt Sherratt just days before the start of the season, the Blue and Blacks have enjoyed a fairly strong start to the season.

A bonus point win over the Lions at the Arms Park was followed up with two bonus points away to Munster in Limerick. However, Connacht at home is arguably a true test of whether they can kick on from last season.

The Irish province have won their last five against Cardiff - including all three fixtures last season.

Having narrowly missed out on the URC play-offs last season, these are the sort of games Corniel van Zyl's side need to win if they're to make the top eight this year.

They started a little slowly, with some sloppy errors in the opening 10 minutes paving the way for Connacht's Cathal Forde to open the scoring from the tee.

That seemed to focus the minds of Cardiff and they hit back pretty much instantly.

After their forward pack hammered away at the Connacht line, the new-found partnership of Callum Sheedy and Bowen struck once again - with Bowen latching onto the Wales fly-half's pinpoint kick-pass and beating a defender to dive over for Cardiff's first try.

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