Last season was a tough campaign for Jacob Beetham, with injuries restricting his appearances
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
A year ago, Jacob Beetham was riding the high of a first Wales cap.
Earlier in the summer of 2024, the mid Walian had impressed Warren Gatland on the summer tour of Australia. A first Test appearance off the bench against South Africa at Twickenham in June was set to be followed up by a start against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, only for injury to strike.
Unfortunately, that set the tone for the campaign to follow.
If the year prior had been Beetham’s breakthrough at Cardiff, last year was the difficult second season.
A recurring ankle injury limited the full-back to just five outings for the Blue and Blacks.
As well as injuries, there is also the fact that, under Matt Sherratt, Beetham was seen almost exclusively as a full-back.
Just nine of his 24 appearances for the Arms Park club have come in the starting side, with all of those being with the 15 jersey on his back. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
That looked to be his position for club, even though Gatland – as he tended to in his second stint with most young backs – saw him as a future option at fly-half.
Beetham had played some age-grade rugby there, but centre is a position where some around the Arms Park have been pining to see the 24-year-old from Brecon play.
Pre-season saw him get some minutes there against Leinster in Dublin. But it was a 20-minute red card for Wales playmaker Ben Thomas that thrust Beetham into the role on opening night.
And, pleasingly for Cardiff’s interim coaches, he looked the part there.
Defensively, he was solid – making smart reads including one intercept.
He also carried hard, providing Cardiff with a platform as they look the game away from the Lions in torrential rain.
His bravery also shone through, diving on a host of loose balls for a wining cause.
“Jacob is a versatile player,” said Cardiff forward coach Corniel van Zyl, who is leading the club following Sherratt’s departure. “He can play quite a few positions.
“He definitely fill in at 12, 13, 14 and 15 so that makes him very handy. He’s a physical player, a very physical player.
“He’s got good intent to what he’s doing so I’m excited to see him going forward.”
The hope will be that Beetham is able to get more regular minutes than last season.
Staying fit will obviously be the key, but being able to slot in wherever needed will only help.
Beetham and Cam Winnett came through around the same time, with Winnett getting the first crack in the 15 jersey under Sherratt and never really letting it go after that.
But both are quality players, with Beetham’s physicality in particular seemingly marking him out as a Test player.
There’s a reason Scotland coach Gregor Townsend met with him previously to try and convince him to pull on a blue jersey rather than a red one.
If Beetham is to kick on as Cardiff and Wales will hope this season, then being able to find his way into the team from week to week will be the first step.
In that sense, Saturday’s cameo in midfield was certainly promising.