Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’VE THAT GET UP AND BOWE
Elder statesman Tommy still has ambition
HE’S not quite the grand old master of the Ulster rugby team but Tommy Bowe is enjoying proving to doubters that he’s still got what it takes to compete at the top.
Bowe has starred for the British and Irish Lions, Ireland and Ulster for 13 years, as well as a stint at the Ospreys, and owes the game nothing.
But the 33-year-old insists he’s still as hungry as ever to play and score tries.
“Whenever there’s players like myself who have been around for a while, you deal with being written off,” Bowe claimed. “That comes with the territory but it’s nice in that it’s something you can use as a bit of a carrot. You can use it as a motivation when you come back from an injury or when you are injured you keep fighting to come back.
“I don’t think it’s something that happens just in this country, it happens in all sports, in all walks of life.”
With skipper Rory Best leading the way at 35 and Andrew Trimble turning 33 in a couple of weeks time, Bowe is in good company.
He hasn’t played for Ireland since breaking his ankle against Wales in Cardiff in March but looked energised by a move to outside centre in Ulster’s opening Pro14 games, scoring one try in four outings.
He’s back on the wing for tonight’s clash with Connacht and insists he feels as good as ever.
Bowe added: “To come back from an injury as you get older, people question those sort of speeds and acceleration and wonder if you still have it.
“I’m really enjoying my rugby at the minute, enjoying training, enjoying playing and had a good pre-season under my belt.
“Thankfully my body has felt as good as it has felt for a long time, it means I can give everything in training and in games. Obviously I still want to score more tries.
“I think I’m there or thereabouts. I’m getting myself in the right positions, maybe just a pass away. I’m happy to be on the pitch and the tries will come.”
Bowe’s very first game for Ulster was against Connacht in the 2003/2004 season and he scored on his debut.
The Westerners have not won in Belfast since 1960 and Bowe has warned them not to expect Ulster to be easy meat after their shock loss in Italy to Zebre last week.
He said: “We have a big block of games in front of us and it doesn’t come any bigger than an inter-pro.
“Connacht are playing some great rugby over the last couple of years and they’ll test us. But we want to put on a show with good rugby and a good win.”
Ulster have reacted to last week’s defeat with nine changes, among them Chris Henry being recalled to the back row.
Bowe is one of three new faces in the backs with Stuart Mccloskey and Jacob Stockdale also recalled.