Young playmaker Jack Bowen is eager to push his competition as the battle for the Waratahs’ number ten jersey gets set to be a major talking point of their pre-season.

Bowen re-signed with the club at the end of last week after guiding Easts to the Shute Shield title.

The former Junior Wallabies half started the Waratahs’ final game of the season against the Reds and impressed in his debut start.

However, the return of Tane Edmed and the arrival of Lawson Creighton, who is coming off his own club success with Brothers, has the 20-year-old up for the challenge of making the ten jersey his permanently.

“I think that feeling from the last Reds, getting my first start and showing that I’m able to perform at this level and that I belonged here was a massive confidence booster,” he told Rugby.com.au

“It’s something that I want to take into 2025 and continue to push my case and wear that ten jersey.”

Bowen recognises whoever comes into that position will have an all-star backline at their disposal.

There were three Waratahs In the Wallabies starting backline last week, with the likes of Joseph Suaalii and Darby Lancaster amongst several high-profile new additions to complete an already stacked NSW squad.

“I think those guys coming in makes my job a lot easier,” Bowen believes.

“We’re going to be pretty lucky having that talent inside and outside our us and to have those guys come in, especially Joseph (Suaalii) who is a big name and can bring some positivity to Rugby as well as being such a good guy.

“It’s an exciting year under a new coaching staff.”

Bowen admits the hunger from last year’s last-place finish still burns as they look to turn around their season.

“Obviously you’ve got to look back on ’24 and realise what went wrong but ’25 is a new year and staff with new players and the boys are really hungry to turn that around,” he added.

“Hopefully it’s an exciting year with the Lions tour as well and we can emulate some of the success in the Super season and build into Lions.”