Back Bowe to help Lions roar to Australia victory
Published:Tommy Bowe’s miraculous return from injury may not have prevented Australia from winning the second Test 16-15, but the Irishman could be one to watch in this weekend’s decider.
The 29-year-old can be forgiven for being a little rusty against the Wallabies last time out, after breaking a bone in his hand – an injury that left many questioning his continued participation on the tour.
But despite wearing a hurling glove for additional protection, Bowe put in a solid shift for the Lions and after coming through unscathed, could be back to his very best against Australia in the series finale.
The Ulster man boasts a formidable scoring record for Ireland at international level with 26 tries in 51 appearances for the Emerald Isles and is available at 11/1 to score the first try against the Wallabies or 11/4 to go over the line at anytime in the match.
And despite a four-month injury layoff this term, since making his comeback for the Ulstermen in April, Bowe has been back among the points. A notable highlight being his recent finish against Connacht, which marked a record breaking 50th Celtic League try.
He certainly boasts the pedigree for the big occasion, scoring four tries during the Lions 2009 tour of South Africa. He also previously demonstrated his abilities with a try in the British and Irish side’s 69-17 demolition of Western Force earlier in the tour.
With Bowe among the leading candidates to go over the line, odds of 6/4 on an Irish player to score at any time are not to be scoffed at with the experienced tour man talking up his team’s preparations ahead of this all-or-nothing clash.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the game, he revealed that the squad had enjoyed “a great session” in training and they were relishing the task ahead.
“It was very upbeat, with a good skill level and was exactly what we needed before a tough match,” he said.
“We know exactly what we want to do, we want to get to play some rugby.”
If Bowe & Co get their wish, then odds of 11/10 on a Lions victory may be too tempting to ignore.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
