After spending time with Bridgend and in England with Bedford and Bristol, Wales under-21 international Bowen joined Llanelli for the inaugural season of the Celtic League in 2001 and shared duties at fly-half with Stephen Jones. His performances earned him a call-up to both the Wales Sevens and Wales 'A' teams in October 2001, although in February 2002, he had to fly home from Sevens duty in New Zealand to cover for Jones who had been ordered to miss a game against Ebbw Vale to guard him against injury ahead of the 2002 Six Nations.