Bleddyn Bowen in action for Wales in their 11-3 win over England at Twickenham.
Career Record: Played 24, Won 15, Lost 9
Test Points: 37
Tries: 5
Penalties: 5
Conversions: 1.
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1983 v Romania (Bucharest) L 24-6
1984 v Scotland (Cardiff) L 15-9 (FN)
1984 v Ireland (Dublin) W 18-9 (FN)
1984 v France (Cardiff) L 21-16 (FN)
1984 v England (Twickenham) W 24-15 (FN)
1985 v Fiji (Cardiff) W 40-3
1986 v England (Twickenham) L 21-18 (FN)
1986 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 22-15 (FN)
1986 v Ireland (Dublin) W 19-12 (FN)
1986 v France (Cardiff) L 23-15 (FN)
1986 v Fiji (Suva) W 22-15
1986 v Tonga (Nuku'Alofa) W 15-7
1986 v Western Samoa (Apia) W 32-14
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1987 v Canada (Invercargill) W 40-9 (W.Cup)
1987 v England (Brisbane) W 16-3 (W.Cup)
1987 v New Zealand (Brisbane) L 49-6 (W.Cup)
1987 v USA (Cardiff) W 46-0
1988 v England (Twickenham) W 11-3 (FN)
1988 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 25-20 (FN)
1988 v Ireland (Dublin) W 12-9 (FN)
1988 v France (Cardiff) L 10-9 (FN)
1988 v Western Samoa (Cardiff) W 28-6
1989 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 23-7 (FN)
1989 v Ireland (Cardiff) L 19-13 (FN)
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Bleddyn Bowen playing for Wales on 9th. November 1985 in their 40-3 defeat of Fiji at
Cardiff Arms Park. Photo George Herringshasw. ©
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Bleddyn Bowen's finest moment came as the captain of the 1988 Welsh Triple Crown winning side - indeed the last Welsh skipper to win that title to date (2003). However, the South Wales Police player made his debut in less auspicious circumstances winning his first cap in the ignominious defeat against Romania in 1983. Bowen was one of six new caps chosen by selectors, who had been warned that this first full international against the Romanians would be no pushover. Wales slumped to a 24-6 defeat conceding four tries in the process. Nevertheless, Bowen retained his place in the team for the 1984 Five Nations.
A stylish centre with a perfectly timed pass, the 23 year old made the break which gave Adrian Hadley the decisive score in the 24-15 victory over England at Twickenham. Wales should have won at home to France but Bowen's two penalty goals contributed to an 18-9 victory against Ireland at Lansdowne Road. However, this was to be Scotland's Grand Slam year and defeat at Cardiff meant that it was another disappointing year for Wales. Bowen only played one game in the 1985 Five Nations Championship as the selectors experimented with Swansea's Kevin Hopkins and Pontypool's Mark Ring. Bleddyn came back into the team the following season, scoring against England in defeat at Twickenham in what would be another disappointing year for Wales. The first Rugby World Cup followed in 1987 and Wales progressed through the pool games with Bowen scoring against Canada.
A quarter-final victory against England took them to the semis but an awesome All Black team inflicted Wales' worst defeat up to that point. Bowen did not play in the surprise play-off victory against Australia. However, he was made captain for the 1988 Five Nations and this was to be his finest hour. Wales opened with thrilling victories against England and Scotland, playing a running game typified by Adrian Hadley's second try against England which Bowen played a key part in. This was of no real surprise given that the team contained four natural fly-halves including Bleddyn. The Triple Crown was secured with a dramatic last minute penalty against Ireland. From this point on things never quite went right for Bowen. Selected as skipper for the summer tour to New Zealand, a fractured wrist ended his involvement - some might say a lucky occurrence. After this point he would play only twice more for Wales - a sad end for a very modest and talented player. (John Lovell)
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