Waratahs playmaker signs with UK powerhouse, with football-style twist

Two months after being told to look elsewhere, discarded NSW Waratahs fly-half Jack Bowen – the son of former Wallabies playmaker Scott – is poised to sign with English Premiership powerhouse Leicester Tigers.

But in a unique, Premier League-style twist to his three-year deal, nine.com.au can reveal that Tigers coach Geoff Parling - the former Wallabies assistant - will loan the 22-year-old pivot to Japan Rugby League One outfit Mitsubishi Dynaboars for the first season.

The deal has been weeks in the making, with the final details agreed in recent days.

It’s understood Bowen will link up with his new teammates - including former All Blacks halfback Brad Weber and Springboks World Cup winner Kurt-Lee Arendse -next month.

The Dynaboars are overseen by New Zealander Glenn Delaney.

Bowen played 17 matches for the Waratahs over four years.

But despite rarely being given the keys to run the show, the former Junior Wallabies playmaker started in the sky blue No.10 jersey for the last three years.

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Veteran Bernard Foley is likely to start the 2027 season, with fellow recruit Max Burey and rising playmaker Joey Fowler the other fly-half options.

The Waratahs are without a coach following Dan McKellar’s departure.

Bowen’s exit means all three players who wore the No.10 jersey in 2026 – along with Lawson Creighton (Ospreys) and Jack Debreczeni (retired) – have left.

Bowen’s departure left many in the rugby community scratching their heads at the revolving door of both Waratahs coaches and playmakers.

It follows the departures of Ben Donaldson, Will Harrison and Tane Edmed since Foley left the franchise in 2019.

It also comes after Quade Cooper set the cat among the pigeons by saying he was interested in featuring in next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Foley and James O’Connor - who is poised to return to the Western Force in 2027 - are also interested in making a late run for selection.

Morgan Turinui delivered a pointed shot at Rugby Australia’s recruitment and retention policy on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts by quipping that Cooper should also be snapped up to “completely block all the young 10s” in Australia.

McKellar’s departure came after missing the finals for a second straight year since replacing Darren Coleman, who failed to earn a contract extension in 2024 after finishing last.

Foley said the instability in Sydney was hurting the Waratahs’ hopes of pushing for a first title since he kicked them to glory in 2014.

“From an outsider, you’re never really privy to what happens within the walls of this place, but I’ll tell you one thing that hasn’t helped is the changeover of coaches and environments,” said Foley, who enjoyed a six-year stint at Kubota Spears after leaving the Waratahs.

“That doesn’t help anyone involved. It doesn’t set you up for success and there’s no longevity in what they’re trying to do.

“The amount of change and disruption I’m sure has caused a lot of heartache for a lot of guys and hopefully, they can set this place up for a long time with sustained success.”

The Waratahs are believed to have set their sights on luring Michael Cheika back to the franchise.

Nine.com.au last week revealed that a coaching combination of Cheika and Stephen Hoiles is being explored.

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