Powell was a powerful passer whose speciality was the reverse pass, though he is often remembered for his varying displays for his country that sometimes would lose as much as win games.
While 16, and as a Welsh Guardsman, he turned out for the Army XV.
He left the army to qualify as an architect, and in 1926, while playing for London Welsh, he was brought into the Welsh squad against Scotland.
Although Wales lost the match 8–5, Powell was hailed as a success as he appeared to complete his task of subduing Scotland's Ian Smith, who had scored seven tries in his last two games against Wales.
[4] Powell later captained Wales on two occasions, the first time against France in 1927, on only his fifth cap.