He won a single cap for Wales during the 1892 Home Nations Championship.
He was the second player to represent Wales while playing club rugby for Penarth, after Dickie Garrett.
Rowles had played for Penarth for several years before his international selection in 1892, he was senior team captain during the 1885/86 season,[1] and is recorded as being a member of the Penarth team that won the Cardiff District Cup in 1888.
Rowles won his only Welsh cap when he was chosen to partner Newport's Percy Phillips in the opening game of the 1892 Home Nations Championship against England.
Under the captaincy of Arthur 'Monkey' Gould, Wales were outclassed by England who won by three goals and a try to nil.