Bowen double helps Cardiff beat Zebre 40-27 for second URC win

Cardiff made it two wins from two at the start of their United Rugby Championship campaign with a 40-27 victory over Zebre at the Arms Park on Friday. Tom Bowen scored twice as the hosts registered six tries, building on their opening win against Scarlets. BBC Sport Wales reported that 7,231 spectators watched Cardiff secure their try bonus before half-time.

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The home side's early dominance produced scores for Teddy Williams, Javan Sebastian, Taine Basham and Alex Mann, followed by Bowen's second-half double. Cardiff eventually opened a 40-8 lead, but Zebre scored three tries in the final 21 minutes to leave with a bonus point of their own. Their late recovery narrowed the margin without overturning the advantage Cardiff had established.

Zebre initially had the better of the exchanges, with Tommaso Allan missing a penalty before kicking the opening points. Williams then finished after a pass from Mann, marking his first competitive home appearance for Cardiff since a serious foot injury at the ground in October 2025. Sebastian added another try from a tap-penalty move, with hooker Dafydd Hughes providing the final pass.

Francisco Minervino replied for Zebre, but Cardiff quickly restored their momentum. Basham scored directly from an attacking scrum before Mann crossed in the 36th minute after a move featuring Ben Thomas and Hughes. Cardiff reached the interval 26-8 ahead, although prop Scott Sio had been forced off through injury. The report did not specify the nature or severity of his problem.

Bowen's first try followed Callum Sheedy's grubber kick of a loose ball, and scrum-half Johan Mulder created the winger's second. Cardiff also gave 18-year-old hooker Tom Howe his senior debut as they introduced replacements. Evan Lloyd, another hooker, covered the back row after coming on for Basham during the second half.

Zebre's response came through Giacomo Ferrari, Giulio Bertaccini and Giacomo Da Re, whose try followed a break by Giovanni Montemauri. The fourth score secured the visitors' bonus point after their opening-round loss to Bulls. Cardiff, with James Botham named player of the match, now face a trip to defending champions Leinster in Dublin next Saturday, following a win that ended much less comfortably than their 32-point lead had suggested.