Bowe: It’s A Massive Task But We’re Up For It
After the narrow defeats to Leicester Tigers and Toulon, many pundits have written off Ulster’s European season. However, despite the disappointing start, Tommy Bowe says that the squad have not given up on progressing to the knockout stages just yet and that they are keen to prove the doubters wrong.
“We know that by not winning our first two pool matches that we have made it incredibly difficult for ourselves,” said Tommy Bowe. “However, we have seen how other games have gone that very few teams have gone out there and got maximum points.
“Everyone talks about needing 20 points to qualify and certainly in the past that might have been the case, but this year I think that there are a few teams who could qualify with a total just short of that.
“We know we have a massive task ahead but we are excited about the next two weeks. When people write us off that is good motivation for us.”
With back-to-back games against Scarlets coming up, the in-form Ireland winger says the task over the next fortnight is clear.
“We are aiming for two wins. We have also got to look at getting bonus points where we can. At home (on Saturday), we would love to pick up maximum points but that can’t be in our mind at the start.
“We just have to concentrate on getting a win and then try to pull away from them at the end if we can.
“Obviously the Scarlets will be looking forward to this match too. They have won one and put up a massive fight against Toulon away, so it’s not going to be an easy game. We have massive history with the Scarlets and it’s going to be a great match.”
Bowe was keen to stress the role that the crowd has to play in Ulster’s success on the pitch, adding: “I think that getting to play at home is a huge advantage to us. With the crowd we get a lot of confidence.
“If the game goes well (at Kingspan Stadium this weekend), that will give us huge boost going into the away fixture. We played the Scarlets at the start of the season. They like to throw the ball about so we know its not going to be easy.”
There is limited availability for Ulster’s European Champions Cup game against the Scarlets on Saturday evening. Kick-off is at 7.45pm. To buy tickets for the Celtic clash, please click here.