Bowen was brought in at threequarters opposite Newport's Bert Dauncey on the wing with Owen Badger and Welsh captain Arthur 'Monkey' Gould at centre.

Bowen and Dauncey would both retain their positions throughout the tournament, being the first wing pair to do so since Biggs and McCutcheon in Wales' Triple Crown winning Championship in 1893.

The 1896 England encounter at Blackheath was a sporting disaster for the Wales team, losing by seven tries to nil, and the Welsh selectors reacted with sweeping changes to the pack.

Bowen retained his place, but the match is notable for the introduction of Welsh rugby legend Gwyn Nicholls at centre with Gould.

Bowen would win one final cap for Wales, the opening game of the 1897 Championship against England, this time paired at wing with veteran threequarter Tom Pearson.

His final Counties Championship was in 1911, again against Glamorgan, which Carmarthenshire lost by an innings, Bowen making just a handful of runs at number 11.