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The 40-year-old was part of Japan’s coaching team when they beat Wales last summer
Cardiff have added former Japan assistant Dan Bowden to their coaching team ahead of next season.
The former New Zealand age-grade fly-half was part of the Brave Blossoms coaching group under Eddie Jones when they defeated Wales in Kitakyushu last July. Since leaving Japan’s coaching team, he has been linked with a job as Edinburgh’s attack coach.
It’s also understood brief conversations took place over the vacant coaching jobs with the Welsh Rugby Union, but ultimately went nowhere.
However, the former Leicester Tigers and Bath playmaker will still head to Wales – joining Corniel van Zyl’s coaching team at the Arms Park.
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Van Zyl is preparing for his first full season in charge of the Blue and Blacks since being given the head coach role on a full-time basis, having taken interim charge after Matt Sherratt left to join Wales’ coaching team at the start of last season.
In his first year in the role, van Zyl guided Cardiff to their first-ever play-off place in the United Rugby Championship – securing Champions Cup rugby for this year.
“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to add Dan as an assistant coach,” said van Zyl. “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.”
Wales vs Japan VIP and hospitality tickets
Seat Unique is offering VIP hospitality tickets for Wales’ Nations Championship matches against New Zealand and Japan in November.
During his playing days, Bowden played for the Highlanders, Crusaders and Blues in Super Rugby.
He began his coaching career with Auckland, having initially been work as talent identification and recruitment manager at the club. Upon moving into coaching, he helped them to the NPC title in 2018.
He then spent two years with Toshiba Brave Lupus, helping them to back-to-back League One titles, before joining Japan’s coaching team.
He’ll now join Cardiff’s coaching team, which currently includes Gethin Jenkins, Jonny Goodridge and Scott Andrews.
“I’m very excited to be joining Cardiff Rugby,” said Bowden. “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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