Bowden impressed at fly-half and centre for London Irish © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Dan Bowden

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Leicester Tigers

Dan Bowden says he was recruited by Leicester Tigers to help unleash an even more attacking brand of rugby at Welford Road this season.

The Tigers were arguably the most entertaining side in the Aviva Premiership last season, comfortably scoring the most number of points during the regular season as well as picking up nine try bonus points. But the New Zealander, who joined the Premiership runners-up this season after two years with London Irish, says he has been asked to utilise his extensive skill at inside centre to set the tone for a more expansive style.

"My move here came after I was approached and the ball rolled from there," he told the Leicester Mercury. "They spoke to me about trying to play with a slightly different style and a more attacking brand of rugby. I am hoping to grow into that role and assist the players that are already here. There is some outstanding depth in all positions and you need that if you are going to push on and challenge in the Heineken Cup."

Bowden will be able to provide quality cover at fly-half should Toby Flood and George Ford be away on international duty. But he says his primary position at the Tigers will be inside centre, where he will face competition from Anthony Allen, who was also recently included in England's elite players squad for the new season.

"My understanding is that the club want me to play in the inside-centre role and I want to bring an attacking style of play because that is where my strengths lie," he said. "But I know that Anthony Allen, Toby Flood and George Ford are all great players and there is some serious depth at this club.

"There are internationals coming off the bench most weeks at Leicester and I hope that competition will push me on to improve. It was always going to be tough here but I have to back myself to perform and get the jersey. I have to believe in the reasons Leicester signed me for.

"I can't say that I will play every minute of every game. Nobody can here because it's a very long season and I played 31 games last season with Irish which was tough on the body."But I want to play and I want to start. Being in a side that will challenge for the top four is very exciting because I want to pushing for silverware. I could see how hard they worked at the end of last season. I want to be in a side pushing for silverware."