The teenage Cardiff hooker ignoring Wales hype

Others might believe it is a matter of time before he wins his first Wales cap, but hooker Tom Howe is more concerned with trying to make his Cardiff debut.

The 18-year-old is enjoying a well-earned rest after his exploits with Wales Under-20s at the Junior World Championship.

The 6ft 3in front-row forward made four starts when helping Richard Whiffen's side finish sixth, featuring prominently with 28 carries and 54 tackles alongside solid set-piece work.

Howe plays in a position where prospects have to bide their time and learn the dark arts, yet he has the raw ingredients to excite good judges of talent.

Former Wales hooker Scott Baldwin saw him at close range when coaching Bridgend against Cardiff in Super Rygbi Cymru.

"He's got the highest of ceilings I've seen of a hooker coming through in Wales," Baldwin told Scrum V podcast last month.

"I'd put him in the same category as Dewi Lake, but he's probably further down the line in his development as a hooker for his age profile because he is in his first year with the Under-20s.

"I know from speaking to Steve Tandy that he's already in their thoughts for 12 to 18 months' time."

Great potential, undoubtedly, yet there will be no rushing of a young man from Llanishen who has only just completed his A-levels at Ysgol Glantaf in Cardiff.

The Blue and Blacks have already given Howe a taste of senior training and he will push Wales internationals Liam Belcher and Evan Lloyd, plus Dafydd Hughes, for action in 2026-27.

"It was great to get an insight into what I need to improve and to learn professional habits off the other boys," said the teenager, who is in the club's senior academy.

"It was really helpful and I can't wait to get straight back into it. I'm working towards a debut but I'm not sure when that will come.

"I won't hold my breath, I'll just keep working hard and stay committed because I've got enough time. There's no rush."

Such maturity is valuable when others are keen to mention his name in a department where Wales are already well-stocked in this World Cup cycle.

Steve Tandy used Lake, Belcher, Ryan Elias and Brodie Coghlan in 2025-26 and also called up Elliot Dee and Lloyd.

Under-20s prospects are earmarked for the Test team every year but Howe does not let such hype affect him.

"You're only as good as your last game and you have to keep working hard," he said.

"It has happened so many times, players have been built up and nothing comes of it.

"My parents have made sure to tell me to stay humble and treat everybody the way that you would like to be treated.

"You meet the same people on the way up as you do on the way down, so stay humble and stay committed to the craft, I guess."

The rise from junior to senior rugby last season has helped Howe to hone his skills, inspired by another mobile hooker.

"The way that Dan Sheehan plays, he's almost like a back-rower playing in the front row," said Howe. "He is elusive, he has got big physicality and good skills.

"I enjoy that physical aspect, so being coached by [Cardiff coach and Wales Under-20s assistant] Josh Turnbull on the technical side of the contact has been great.

"I've got a nice balance because I have also enjoyed being coached by [Wales Under-20s head coach] Richard Whiffin to learn to move the ball, why and where."

Howe showed the results of that work at the Junior World Championship and this month will get his marks for biology, psychology and PE.

After that, the promising hooker will aim to make the grade at Cardiff.