Weather permitting at Rodney Parade, the two Welsh wings will be among the major threats in the home ranks as Harry Beddall’s side looks to build on their 20-18 win in Italy last time out.
Bowen moved from Aberdare and Boshoff from Gwent to attend Clifton College in the sixth form, and they helped to turn the English school side into one of the best in the UK.
They were both in the Bristol Bears academy before Bowen opted to return home and join Cardiff Rugby this season.
While the fleet footed Bowen hasn’t looked back, playing regularly in the Cardiff RFC Super Rygbi Cymru side and making three senior appearances for the regional team, Boshoff currently remains on the books with the Bears and has also made his first-team debut.
“I started my rugby in the U7s team at Aberdare, played for Cynon Valley District at U11 and U15 and then went into the Cardiff Blues North U16 squad,” said the 19-year-old Bowen.
“From there I went across the bridge to Clifton College where I got the chance to work with Danny Grewcock and Matt Salter. There is good competition within the squad.
“I was in the same boarding house as Boshoff and we played together for Clifton and the Bears.
“The combination between the education side and the rugby matched pretty well for me. It has been a good journey so far and now here I am playing for Cardiff and for Wales U20.
“Cardiff is a good place to be at the moment for a youngster given all the young players who have been given opportunities by Matt Sherratt. That gave me the incentive to come back and play here and Matt shows trust in his younger players.”
As well as combining with his old school pal Boshoff, Bowen is also pretty well acquainted with his Wales U20 centre Steff Emanuel. Even though they were rivals at school – Emanuel went to Millfield – and through their academies – Emanuel was captain of the Bath U18 side – they are now teammates for both club and country.
“I’ve played with Steff since I was 14. We have grown our relationship and chemistry since then, and he is a class distributer,” said Bowen.
Tom Bowen in acction for Cardiff Rugby against Hollywoodbets Sharks
“Playing together in Super Rygbi Cymru has been massive for us. It has been vital to get quality game time playing alongside some quality semi-pro players.
“Just being able to play regularly has helped us a lot.”
Emanuel is one of two brothers playing in the Wales U20 side. Elder brother Ioan will be starting against Ireland at loose head prop.
The Llantwit Fardre-proudct also went to Millfield and is still in the Bath academy. He wants to see Wales build on their victory in Italy in Round 2 and come up with a big scalp against the Irish.
“We all know that our performance in Italy wasn’t us at our best, but there was a lot of heart, and we dug in. Even thought we weren’t at our best we still came away with a victory, which puts us in a really good place,” said Ioan.
“The game against Ireland will be a really good challenge for us and one we feel confident about meeting. It is all about marrying up the performance with the intent and heart we showed against Italy.
“Like Steff, I was very lucky to go to a school like Millfield and gain experience in other rugby communities. I’m really enjoying my time at the moment.
“Everyone is in a different place in their rugby development in this Wales U20 side. We all have our own journey and I’m happy where I am at the moment – I’m learning my trade.
