Background
Fowler was born in 1894 in Pantyffynnon, a small village in Carmarthenshire.
rugby league player rugby union player
Fowler was born in 1894 in Pantyffynnon, a small village in Carmarthenshire.
He first played rugby for Tycroes, a club in the neighbouring village. He progressed to Ammanford before being selected by first class Welsh team, Llanelli. On the recommencement of rugby after the First World War, Llanelli faced two matches against New Zealand teams, the Larkhill depot of the New Zealand Army and the New Zealand Maoris.
Fowler played in both matches.
The Wales team lost 3-6, but before the country"s next international match, Fowler turned professional, by joining rugby league team Batley. Such was the resentment caused by turning professional, Fowler was not only banned for life from playing rugby union at any level
A standard punishment, but he also had to wait until a 1975 "amnesty" to receive his international cap. Fowler had a long career at Batley and secured two further international caps.
His first came in 1921, when he was chosen to play for the Other Nationalities team to face England.
Protests were made to recognise the team as a Wales squad as the entire 13 members were all Welsh by birth, but the request was rejected. On 12 April 1926 he was selected to play for the actual Wales rugby league side, against England at Pontypridd. County Cup final appearances
Ike Fowler played scrum-half/halfback in Batley"s 8-9 defeat by Wakefield Trinity in the 1924 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1924-1925 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 22 November 1924.