Next-Gen Player of the Season - Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)

Tom Bowen is going to have to get himself a trophy cabinet at this rate!

The young winger picked up a host of prizes at Cardiff Rugby’s recent awards night, being named Breakthrough Player of the Season and Fans’ Player of the Season, while his stunning effort in the play-off clinching victory over the DHL Stormers at the Arms Park was named the club’s Try of the Season.

Now he has been chosen as the URC Next-Gen Player of the Season through a vote by the media.

The award was open to players who were 23 and under and had no more than five international caps at the beginning of the season, while they also had to have made at least nine appearances during the league campaign.

Bowen, who has only just turned 20, is uncapped by Wales as of yet, but is certainly winning admirers with his electrifying running game and acrobatic finishing.

He scored six tries in his 11 appearances for Cardiff during the regular league season, while he crossed ten times in all, including a double against Ireland in the U20s Six Nations Championship.

Reflecting on his awards, the Aberdare RFC product said: “I’m over the moon to be honest.

“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. I’m a local boy and Cardiff is my home club.

“To break through in the season that we have had is pretty special.

“The season has gone so quickly. It feels like yesterday we were kicking off the season against the Lions at the start.

“The whole season has just been so enjoyable and I just love playing at the Arms Park.”