Cardiff Rugby have strengthened their coaching team with the appointment of Dan Bowden as an assistant coach. 

The former Super Rugby star, who spent time with London Irish, Leicester Tigers and Bath, has forged an impressive career since hanging up his boots in 2017. 

Initially a Talent Identification and Recruitment Manager at Auckland, Bowden moved into coaching and helped the capital city club to the NPC title in 2018.

He spent two successful seasons with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan, helping turn their fortunes with back-to-back League One titles, before joining Eddie Jones in the national set-up. 

During his time with the Brave Blossoms, Japan climbed four places in the world rankings with impressive wins over the likes of Wales, Maori All Blacks, Georgia, Samoa and Tonga. 

He now links up with the Blue & Blacks as Corniel van Zyl adds to his backroom team to ensure the club continues to strengthen on and off the pitch.

An opportunity to grow as coaches and as a coaching group

Van Zyl said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to add Dan as an assistant coach. He’s a top-quality coach, has great experience and is a good person who brings energy.

“With Matt (Sherratt) leaving at the beginning of last season, we felt we were a little bit short in a few aspects of the game. So Dan comes in as an assistant who will work across multiple areas of our game. 

“We talk a lot about the growth of the team and what we produce on the pitch, but this is an opportunity to grow as coaches and as a coaching group, which will obviously help the overall process. 

“He has great experience of the UK and the rugby played here, but most recently he has been attack coach with Japan so he has a wealth of experience, and it will be awesome to have that input improving our systems and players.”

Bowden joins a coaching team including Gethin Jenkins, Jonny Goodridge and Scott Andrews.

And he is relishing the opportunity to test his coaching credentials in the northern hemisphere while helping Cardiff reach the next level.

Bowden said: “I’m very excited to be joining Cardiff Rugby. I have always admired the club’s ambition and the way it wants to play rugby.

“I’m looking forward to contributing my experience, supporting the coaching group and helping the players continue to grow and develop. I can’t wait to get started.”

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