Neath RFC is sad to hear of the passing of former back rower and Wales coach Kevin Bowring.

A man of Briton Ferry, Kevin was educated at Neath Grammar School whence he won a Welsh Secondary Schools cap.

Deciding upon a career in teaching, he left for Borough Road College (Elgan Rees’ alma mater) and played 8 holiday games for Neath alongside his boyhood hero Dave Morris.

Like many London-based All Blacks, he took the well trodden path from The Gnoll to Old Deer Park and played 268 games for London Welsh, captained the Exiles for three seasons and played for the Barbarians.

On retiring from playing, he took up a post at Clifton College where he blossomed as a rugby coach and was soon engaged with Wales at age-grade levels, sevens and Wales ‘B’.

In 1995, he was appointed Wales’ first professional coach and then went on to work for the RFU where he “coached the coaches” until retirement.

Kevin used to trek home for Neath Former Players’ functions and had family in Neath – to them and his many friends, Neath RFC sends its condolences upon the loss of a decent rugby man.  MP