Born in Aberdare, he played for Bridgend, Bedford, Bristol, Llanelli, Scarlets, Neath, Aurillac, Ebbw Vale and Newport.
After spending time with Bridgend and in England with Bedford and Bristol, Wales under-21 international[1] Bowen joined Llanelli for the inaugural season of the Celtic League in 2001 and shared duties at fly-half with Stephen Jones.
Jones returned from the World Cup as first-choice, but the 2004 Six Nations Championship meant Bowen had another run in the team before the end of the season and he signed a new contract with the Scarlets in April 2004.
[7] Jones left for French side Clermont in the summer of 2004, and failed moves for New Zealander Andrew Mehrtens and France's Gérald Merceron[8] meant Bowen was now considered the Scarlets' first-choice fly-half, although the newly signed Arwel Thomas[9] and the young Ceiron Thomas challenged him for the starting position at various points in the 2004–05 season.
Despite interest from Leeds Tykes, he was almost immediately signed by Neath, who were seeking a replacement at fly-half for James Hook, who had been promoted to the Ospreys regional side.