The 18-year-old has now added a try-scoring debut in Super Rygbi Cymru to his first Wales U20s appearance
It’s been quite a few weeks for Tom Howe. The Cardiff academy hooker would have been in line for a Welsh Schools and College final with Ysgol Glantaf at the Principality Stadium earlier this month, only to be called up for Wales U20s.
Faced with the choice – a decision that some aren’t too thrilled was burdened on the young player – Howe ultimately chose the red jersey.
While Glantaf went on to beat Coleg y Cymoedd and finally lift the WSC title, Howe still made the most of his choice – scoring on his debut for the 20s against Scotland in Merthyr Tydfil.
Now, just a week or so later, Howe has enjoyed another try-scoring debut after coming off the bench for Cardiff RFC against Bridgend on the weekend in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Not long after turning 18, the highly-rated front-rower only took a matter of minutes to force his way over in the 49-12 win at the Arms Park on Saturday.
“I was nervous to begin with on the bench with things going through my mind all of the time,” Howe told S4C afterwards. “But when I was on the field I relaxed and found a way to get into the game straight away.
“It started with a scrum and a good opportunity to actually get into the other side.
“Then it was straight into a lineout and then I got a try which was a good way to start.”
On his try, he added: “It was amazing really and I didn’t expect it.
“It was an amazing experience.”
Howe has long been tipped for a bright future in the game. Well before handing him his first U20s cap, Richard Whiffin once described him as “someone with a very high ceiling”.
His coach at Glantaf, Llywarch ap Myrddin, has been equally effusive.
“Tom is as high a calibre a player that has come out of this league,” said ap Myrddin earlier this month. “He is very good and he’ll achieve what he wants to achieve in the game because of the type of the player he is, because of the background he’s had, in terms of the type of character he is.
“He is quite a unique player. He’s going to be an outstanding player for Welsh rugby moving forward.
“Hopefully, he’ll be one of many of this crop of U18, U19, U20s boys that will go on to represent Wales and win in a red senior jersey in a few years. They’ve got that mentality.”
If that’s what others think of Howe, then how does he view his own game?
“As a hooker I have good speed,” he said post-match on the weekend. “I’m dynamic on the ball and I can move. I think that’s the main strength I’ve got.
“I’m also a very physical boy when carrying. I want to bring that into the game and that’s what I did.”
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