Thread | Razor Rey, what a player.

The Samoan centre was at his very best for Cardiff away at Perpignan on Saturday. At 38 he's still one of our most important players and there's no sign of that changing. Defensively his spot blitzing is second-to-none. Incredible reading of the game and athleticism to back that up.

THREAD | Tom Bowen makes his debut at 18 years old tonight.

The UK #1 when he was born was Crazy by Gnarls Barkley.

Two days earlier Cardiff had lost 26-17 at Ulster with a Jamie Robinson try and Nick MacLeod's boot getting our points, and Gethin Jenkins at tighthead! So what are we expecting from Bowen?

Well, underpinning everything is that he is an out-and-out speedster.

Steff Emanuel has had a brilliant season up to his first team full debut.

It started in pre-season with the confidence to score this solo effort against Ealing. His distribution has been superb, putting this ball over the top perfectly for Tom Bowen despite the juggle and being under pressure.

THREAD | The New Boys: Iwan Stephens

Rounding off the threads with a look at the fastest new signing as another former Newcastle man wings into the Arms Park. The 22-year-old started out in rugby league as part of the Leeds Rhinos Academy, raised in the north of England after Dad Colin finished his playing career up there. He switched to union with Newcastle and graduated the Academy there to play 25 times and win England U20 honours.

THREAD | The New Boys: Rory Jennings

Some might say (if you also are ginger with a ginger beard) that this is the best looking new signing Cardiff have made as the 10/12 comes in from Newcastle. After attending Bryanston School he came through at Bath before switching to London Scottish and Coventry in the Championship. A random move to Clermont followed during covid leading to two years at London Irish and then a season with the Falcons following the Exiles' demise.

THREAD | The New Boys: Callum Sheedy

A new boy, but also an old boy, as Cardiff lad Callum Sheedy returns to the club after a long stint away to finally pull on the Blue & Black jersey at the Arms Park. Now 28, fly-half Sheedy was involved with the U16s way back in 2011/12, before switching across to Millfield School and eventually joining Bristol where he played over 160 times in the intervening decade, as well as winning 16 Cymru caps so far.

THREAD | The New Boys: Johan Mulder

Up and running again with a look at the South African scrum-half. Probably the least well-known of Cardiff's summer recruits, but could he be one of the most exciting? Mulder attended Affies School, with Pierre Spies and RG Snyman as other alumni, before joining the Bulls Academy. From there he established himself as first choice scrum-half at Griquas and spent a short-term spell with Lions last season before joining the Blue & Blacks.

THREAD | The New Boys: Aled Davies

Into the new arrivals in the backs now and starting with the signing of experienced scrum-half Davies who is another returner to Cymru after four years away at Saracens. Now 32, the Carmarthenshire native came through the Scarlets Academy before making the hop across the Loughor to Ospreys, winning 20 Cymru caps while in the country incorporating a Grand Slam and the 2019 RWC.

After 72 appearances for Sarries and a Premiership title, he's back!

THREAD | The New Boys: Dan Thomas

Another player coming from the West Country to the Arms Park, and back to Wales in this instance, is 30-year-old openside flanker Thomas who signs from Bristol. After coming through the Academy at Scarlets, and earning Cymru D20 honours, he switched to Gloucester in 2014. Three years later he made the short hop to Bristol where he played 144 times in seven years at Ashton Gate.

So who is the Dan Thomas coming back across the Bridge?

THREAD | The New Boys - Josh McNally

Shifting into the engine room and a bit of bulk in the form of the 6'7", 19.5st man coming in after five years across the border at Bath, as well as being a serving RAF Technician. McNally's senior rugby career starts out at Henley Hawks before progressing to London Welsh as they were promoted to the Premiership. Following Welsh's demise he switched to London Irish before signing for Bath where he made 84 appearances and captained the side.

THREAD | The New Boys: Joe Cowell

Completing the front row additions this summer is last season's Cardiff Met RFC BUCS Super Rugby captain Joe Cowell, a familiar face as one of the Misfits XV that faced Toulouse in the Champions Cup back in December 2021. Hailing from Pontypool, the 22-year-old was involved with Dragons age grade sides and attended Coleg Gwent before heading to Cardiff Met where he played over 50 times for the Archers as well as earning Cymru D20 honours.

THREAD | The New Boys: Danny Southworth

Next up in the new arrivals is another loosehead prop as the 25-year-old joins after five years in the Exeter first team, making 25 appearances. Starting out at Barnstaple RFC, Southworth caught the attention of Exeter at Ivybridge Community College, earning a rugby apprenticeship and then Senior Academy deal.

He was dual-registered with Plymouth in National 1, and then sent on loan at Coventry in the Championship.

THREAD | The New Boys: Ed Byrne

A snapshot look at each Cardiff Rugby arrival this summer begins with the 30-year-old Irish loosehead prop who has signed after making over 100 appearances for Leinster and winning six Ireland caps. Byrne started out at local club Carlow RFC with twin brother Bryan, now at Newcastle, progressing on to Clongowes Wood College.

Earning Ireland age grade honours he joined the Leinster Academy going on to make his debut in March 2014 and stepping up to test rugby in Autumn 2020.