Portugal Colonial - Former England rugby coach Jack Rowell dies aged 87

"It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of former Bath Rugby head coach and club president Jack Rowell on Monday, 1 July," the English Premiership club said in a statement.

"Jack Rowell, all 6 feet 7 inches (200 centimetres) of him, was a towering figure in the history of Bath and English rugby, a unique character who will never be equalled for his extraordinary achievements as a visionary, astute strategist and inspirational coach."

Rowell coached England from 1994 to 1997, overseeing 21 victories in 29 Tests.

Under his leadership England won two Five Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 1995, and reached the World Cup semi-finals the same year, where they lost to the Jonah Lomu-inspired All Blacks.

"RIP Jack Rowell - mastermind of Bath's glorious reign in the 1980s and 1990s," former England hooker Brian Moore posted on X. "A Grand Slam winning England coach and a truly original rugby thinker."

Rowell was appointed by the Rugby Football Union following an impressive club coaching career.

After leading Gosforth to two cup wins - the only domestic silverware on offer at the time - he moved to Bath where he presided over a golden era.

Between 1978 and 1994, they won eight knockout cups and, following the introduction of a league in 1987-88, five of the first seven championship titles.

Rowell returned to the Recreation Ground as director of rugby in 2002, where current England head coach and former Bath captain Steve Borthwick worked with him.

"As a player at Bath, I had the privilege of working with him when he was director of rugby," said Borthwick.

"He left a huge impression on me, not only as someone with incredible rugby knowledge, but also a fantastic man.

"His contribution to English rugby was enormous and he will be sorely missed."

L.Carrico--PC