Robin Sowden-Taylor won his first Wales’ cap as a 74th minute replacement for Wales against Italy to complete a notable Blues’ cap double.

Seven days earlier John Yapp made his international debut as a replacement against England. Both players are shining examples of the rugby nursery within the capital city. Yapp attended Cowbridge Comprehensive School and played for both the youth and under-21 sides at the Arms Park before making his senior debut for the club side in December 2002. Now Sowden-Taylor, who will be 23 in June, has joined his former youth and under-21 team mate in the national squad. Four years ago he toured Japan with Wales and also played on the IRB World Sevens circuit.

In Rome his patience was rewarded with a first cap, replacing his regional captain and man-of-the-match Martyn Williams in the closing stages. He said,

“I’m obviously over the moon about this because I only knew on Wedneday evening that I was in the 22-man squad. Everything has gone well for me in recent months and now I hope to build on what’s happened and consolidate my place in the squad.”