Cardiff Secures Bonus-Point Victory in Season Opener Against Zebre.

Posted 27 days ago

Cardiff earned a shaky bonus-point victory in their first United Rugby Championship (URC) match against the consistently struggling Zebre.

Full-back Cameron Winnett scored the first try for Cardiff, followed by new players Iwan Stephens, Dan Thomas, and Josh McNally adding to the tally. New fly-half Callum Sheedy played a key role in setting up the first two tries with strong support from centres Ben Thomas and Rey Lee-Lo.

Cardiff initially led 22-3 but struggled later, allowing Zebre to close the gap with tries from Giulio Bertaccini and Samuele Locatelli, earning them a losing bonus point.

In the starting lineup, Wales half-backs Sheedy and Aled Davies were joined by new signings Stephens, Thomas, Danny Southworth, and McNally.

Summer tourists Mason Grady, Winnett, and James Botham also featured, while Test fly-half Ben Thomas played at centre.

Injuries sidelined Josh Adams, Ellis Bevan, Thomas Young, and Seb Davies.

Zebre, under new head coach Massimo Brunello, included former Wales Sevens player Ben Cambriani, born in Swansea.

Montemauri opened the scoring with a penalty, but Cardiff quickly responded, with centres Thomas and Lee-Lo breaking through before Sheedy’s clever cross-kick found Winnett.