Bowe Back On The Try Trail

…Tommy Bowe…

Tommy Bowe has become one of Celtic rugby’s most lethal finishers in recent seasons, and he wasted little time in opening his Magners League try account on Friday.

The fleet-footed Monaghan man scored Ulster’s second try, just minutes after coming on as a replacement, in the 43-7 trouncing of the Ospreys at a packed out Ravenhill.

It was hardly surprising as, coupled with his excellent scoring record in the league, Bowe has clearly benefited from the Ireland squad’s pre-season conditioning programme.

Friday’s effort was Bowe’s 20th try in 39 league appearances – his enviable haul of 10 tries last season makes up the bulk of that. Scoring aside, the eight-times capped winger was just pleased to be back playing for his province.

“It was great to be back and coming on with the roar of the Ravenhill crowd behind you was just brilliant – it’s a very special feeling,” said the 22-year-old.

“I was lucky to get on the ball pretty quick because that’s always a problem when you come on to the wing. You want to get your hands on the ball otherwise you could be there all day and not get a touch.”

Bowe, who came on from Ireland ‘A’ flyer Andrew Maxwell shortly after the break, admitted that his try was a case of something out of nothing.

“The try wasn’t from a rehearsed move at all. I was just trying to trail and see where the ball went and from what I remember the ball came to Paddy (Wallace) and I was just behind him. I ran a line and luckily enough Paddy heard me screaming in his ear and it was just good to get the pass from him and score.”

Ulster, who lie second in the table behind Llanelli, face Munster in Cork in one of next weekend’s provincial derbies, and guess what? Bowe touched down against Munster in the corresponding fixture last December.