Dai Young was pleased to see the youth on show in Cardiff’s bonus point win over Zebre Parma on Friday.
The Blue and Blacks returned to winning ways, sealing maximum points with six tries against the Italian outfit.
Cardiff’s finishing backline in the final home game of the season had an average age of 23.1, with the likes of Theo Cabango, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn and Ellis Bevan all featuring.
The director of rugby praised the performances of the young guns and is happy to be able to reward their progression by integrating them into the first team at the Arms Park.
“It was great to see the backline that finished. We had a really young backline and obviously they really enjoyed that experience,” said Young.
“That could be a sign of what could happen in the next two seasons with the boys coming through.
Max was really efficient all game. He carried really strongly, defended really well. He always looked on the verge of making a break, so it will be nice for him to score that try for his confidence.
“We saw Ben on at 10. His preferred position is 12, but with Jarrod injured he's happy to cover 10 for us.
“Ellis came on at nine as well and obviously Theo, who we’re now talking of as a regular in this team.
“It was great to see them young guys getting taste of first team rugby for us. We’re really pleased with the first half, a bit frustrated with the second half, but we just want to enjoy the result.
“‘Rapid rise’ is the right word for Theo isn’t it? Our pathways is there. These guys come out of age grade rugby, haven't played men's rugby and with the new Rags system it’s important that boys get senior rugby there.
“They can get experience of playing men’s rugby. That’s how they get more experience and get used to it. They come through and when they’re knocking on the door, ready to play, we’re more comfortable to play them.
“Theo showed what he could do with the Rags and and he's transferred that to the first team. There's others coming behind him, hopefully in the next six, twelve, eighteen months.”
A five-star first half saw Cardiff racing into a 35-0 lead before the break. However, a scrappy second half saw Zebre claiming two tries of their own before centre Llewellyn had the final word in the last play.
Young says it was a tale of two halves for his side and has challenged them to take it up another gear when they visit Rodney Parade next week.
The former Wales international said: “The first 40 was really good. We did the basics really well and defended really well.
“We kept within our system, nobody jumping out of the system and got plenty of turnovers from our defence.
“We looked dangerous in our attack. We had a little bit of fortune on occasions, but we were worth the lead.
“The second half we fell away which was inevitable at 35-0. We didn’t have the same intensity, as much as we would’ve liked to, but we have to be realistic.
“We’re a little bit disappointed with the second half that we didn't keep our foot on the throat early.
“We’ve got to give them a bit of credit because they could have folded. But they didn't to be fair to them.
“They kept fighting right until the end and as I said, we’d settle for the win.
“There were good parts in our game but still parts that were a little bit sloppy and we got a bit individual.
“In the second half we ended up turning over the ball. The big message at half time was to keep to our systems.
“It wasn't quite the performance we were hoping for, an 80 minute performance, but it's a good way to finish at home.
“What we showed in the first half is that if we keep to the system, do the simple things well and keep to the basics, we can be really efficient and we don't have to step out of the systems.
“In the second half we got a little bit loose and stepped out of the system. We're going to have to be a lot better for 80 minutes next week, as going to Rodney Parade is always difficult.
“They’re always going to step up for the derby games. We haven't been good in the derby games this year so it would be great to finish with a derby win.
“We know it's going to be tough, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”