Obituary: Jack Rowell. 1936-2024. Picture: Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby paid tribute to the late Jack Rowell following his death on Monday 1 July. The titan of Rugby Union was not only Bath Rugby’s former head coach and club president but also as England coach, he won 21 of 29 matches, also reaching the semi-finals of the 1995 World Cup.
In their moving obituary they wrote of his ‘unique character who will never be equalled for his extraordinary achievements as a visionary, astute strategist and inspirational coach.’
And this was in the era before professional rugby union came in when he guided the team to 13 trophies from when he arrived in 1979 to his leaving in 1994.
The club’s Kevin Coughlan wrote: “Even as England coach, he won 21 of 29 matches, also reaching the semi-finals of the 1995 World Cup.
“It’s a little-known fact that Jack’s first approach to Bath, offering his services as a coach, was initially rebuffed by the more traditional elements of the club.
“He had already guided his own local club, the unfancied Gosforth, to the National Knock-out Cup in 1976 and his influence was still being felt when they repeated the feat the following year after Jack had moved south to manage a food ingredients firm in Bristol.”
He studied accountancy at Oxford University and enjoyed a successful business career but continued to play rugby for Gosforth RFC despite a serious injury. He then coached the Gosforth side winning the John Player Cup in 1975/76 and 1976/77.
Of his successes Kevin Coughlan wrote: “Some found Jack’s man-management skills unpredictable, but they were effective.
“He would invite a robust verbal exchange, just to test people. But if he’d overstepped the mark, as he could, then he would apologise.”
Certainly Jack was one of the greatest coaches ever. RIP.
Harry Mottram