LEGENDARY England rugby coach Jack Rowell has died at the age of 87.
The icon led Red Rose to a famous Grand Slam at the height of his powers.
And he is credited as the man who guided English rugby into the modern era.
Rowell took charge of 29 matches for England between 1994 and 1997.
He was at the helm when rugby turned professional in 1995.
And Rowell’s win rate of 72 per cent was the highest of any England coach before Eddie Jones’ recent tenure, which ended with 73 per cent.
Just a year after replacing Geoff Cooke, he led Red Rose to a Grand Slam in the Five Nations after transforming the style of play.
Later in 1995, Rowell took England to the Rugby World Cup in South Africa.
He secured a famous late quarter-final win against Australia.
But England were flattened in the semis by a Jonah Lomu-inspired New Zealand, who in turn lost to hosts South Africa in the final.
In 1996, Rowell guided Red Rose to their second successive Five Nations title.
England finished second behind France the following year.
And later that summer Rowell left his position after turning down a contract extension from the RFU.
Before England, he was a legend with club side Bath.
Rowell led them during their golden era to eight RFU Knockout Cups and five Premiership titles between 1978 and 1994.
After England, Rowell became a non-executive director at Bristol and was appointed managing director in 2000.
Two years later he returned to Bath as director of rugby and was also awarded an OBE for his services to the game.
Former Bath captain and president John Hall paid tribute to Rowell with a touching statement.
It read: “It is with a heavy heart and profound sense of loss that we pay tribute to the late Jack Rowell, who passed away on the afternoon of July 1, 2024, and marks the end of an era for Bath Rugby.
“Many of us played under Jack for more than a decade and he was not just a coach to us; he was a visionary leader whose influence on our club, its players and supporters left a legacy that will endure through the ages.
“His strategic thinking and passion for the game transformed the club and our team into champions, both on and off the field. The numerous titles and victories we celebrated together are a testament to his exceptional leadership and deep understanding of rugby.
“Jack was a mentor and a friend to many of us and had a huge influence with our club and international careers. His ability to inspire and motivate was unparalleled, creating a tough environment where players and staff alike could thrive.
“Jack’s commitment was to excellence in all aspects of the game and he set a standard that made us the club we are today.
“Several former players, who were close to him, recently had the opportunity to visit and spent time by his bedside. Despite his health challenges, it was heartening to witness that his sharp wit remained intact until the very end.
“We grieve his passing but also celebrate his remarkable life and the profound impact he had on Bath Rugby throughout the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.
“On behalf of everyone at Bath Rugby, players, staff and fans, we extend our deepest condolences to Jack’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
“We will always be grateful for the moments we shared and the wisdom he imparted. Jack Rowell was truly one of a kind, and his memory will always hold a place of honour at our club. Rest in peace, Jack.”
