Bowcott was a product of the Welsh Secondary Schools Rugby Union system, playing competitive matches while still a schoolboy.

[4] He attended St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and while at university was awarded a Sporting Blue, playing on the winning team in the 1927 and 1928 Varsity matches.

Bowcott was first capped for Wales in 1929, while still at Cambridge, at Swansea against Scotland alongside fellow school friend Guy Morgan.

He was also part of the famous 1933 Welsh team that finally beat England at Twickenham.

Although it was Ronnie Boon who scored all the Welsh points, Bowcott's kicking during the second half of the match ensured that the English were unable to get back into the game.