By Ben James

Copyright walesonline

After their 31-10 win over Leinster in Dublin on the weekend, Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt was quick to point out that the Blue and Blacks would not be getting too carried away with their final pre-season fixture. The United Rugby Championship holders fielded a youthful side at the home of Shamrock Rovers, but there were some Ireland stars – like Jordan Larmour and Robbie Henshaw – thrown in there for good measure. Still, regardless of the personnel, there’s only so much you can read into a pre-season clash. Given all that is going on in Welsh rugby at the moment, Cardiff fans will hardly be booking the open-top bus ready for any parade next June on the back of this one. That said, there was plenty to be pleased about as Sherratt looks to build upon last season. Having come so close to reaching the play-offs, the onus will be on making that next step this time around. The business Cardiff have done this summer bodes well, with Ioan Lloyd looking like he could work well in tandem with Callum Sheedy, while Taine Basham’s powerful carrying seems suited to the rugby league-inspired attacking shapes Sherratt likes. There’s also players coming back from injury to factor in – although Mason Grady didn’t last too long in his comeback against Richmond. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Keep him, Theo Cabango and Iwan Stephen fit when they return and Sherratt suddenly has more weapons to play with. Throw in Josh Adams – who looked back to his best in Japan this summer – and Cardiff have options out wide. However, it was Tom Bowen – the Wales U20s wing – who looked a handful in Ireland over the weekend. The 20-year-old made quite an impression last year, scoring on his debut against the Cheetahs in Europe before crossing twice against the Sharks. Sherratt was careful not to over-expose Bowen last year, despite his try-scoring exploits at Super Rygbi Cymru level, and it’s likely the Cardiff coach will have a similar philosophy this season. But, based on Saturday’s outing, Bowen may well force his way into the conversation regardless. From the off, he was a thorn in Leinster’s side – opening the scoring after taking Callum Sheedy’s kick-pass and doing brilliantly to step past Hugo McLaughlin to race away. From there, Leinster seemed to have no answer to the diminutive winger’s pace – with Bowen continually hurting them from deep on the counter. As well as his elusive running style, what will have pleased Sherratt was his ability to get a second touch in these breaks. On the other side of the ball, Bowen – son of former Scarlets fly-half Gareth – made his tackles, including this try-saver. Bowen might have had a second score, only for his effort to be chalked off for a knock-on. Again, just as Sherratt wasn’t ready to get carried away with victory over Leinster, he likely won’t rush Bowen’s development off the back of one pre-season match. What seems likely, given his track record so far, is that whatever minutes Bowen gets this season, he’ll likely do something eye-catching. It could well be a breakthrough campaign for the young man.