Back-to-back Six Nations titles and a clean sweep in the 2014 Autumn Internationals means the long grass is no longer an option for Irish sides.
It’s been a favoured entry point for them down the years, but sooner or later the plucky underdog has to learn how to bite like a rottweiler.
Now one of the senior players in the Irish set-up, Tommy Bowe knows this more than most. While he wasn’t part of the squad in 2007 when Ireland came into the World Cup with expectation outweighing hope, he’s aware of the pitfalls, and eager to sidestep them.
“In years gone by I think Ireland have enjoyed being the underdogs but with the players we have in the squad now, the coaching staff, the fact that we have won back to back Six Nations Championships, we can shoulder the expectation that certainly the Irish public have for us.
“Everybody in Ireland wants us to be out there winning things. I suppose that comes with being successful and I think that sort of expectation is great,” he says.
If Ireland do beat their previous best of a quarter final appearance at the tournament, they may look back at the agonising defeat to the All Blacks in 2013 as the inspiration.
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Bowe says the New Zealand defeat in 2013 was a turning point for the squad. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
The Ulster winger says the lessons learned in the Aviva Stadium that November have been the catalyst for the their form since.
“But for us to hold it together the whole way through (a World Cup), I think that it something we have been building on since that All Black game, two autumn international series ago, where we let is slip in the last couple of minutes.
“That was a real shock for the team, a real learning curve. Since then we have learnt a lot of things and hopefully when it comes to the crunch matches like it has in the last couple of Six Nations (Championships) that we can be strong and get the win.”
When fit, Bowe has had his hand locked on the number 14 jersey like a vice over the last six years, but despite this he’s not content with his status.
He’s one of 10 back three players looking for one of the six or seven places in the final squad going to the tournament, and with the quality of options available, he knows as soon as he lets his guard down, his jersey will be stripped off his back.
“The first camp of the year was fun, or at least the start of it was. Once the pleasantries were exchanged, the reality set in.
“Everyone always comes back the first day looking forward to it and excited and then you hit the pitch and they send you off to do crazy stuff to break you. Then it suddenly gets very quiet, people stop talking.
Bowe will be hoping to join teammates Jared Payne and Andrew Trimble at the tournament. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“There is huge competition for places in the 45-man squad. Everyone knows what’s at stake and on hand. We know there is a big competition ahead, the expectations but it is very much a case of getting ourselves through the pre-season to get ourselves into the best shape going into the four big matches leading up to it (World Cup) that will decide who gets on that plane and who doesn’t.
“There’s always more for me to do.”
While other countries are heading away on multiple training camps around the globe, home comforts are being preferred by Joe Schmidt for his pre-season.
Between the tournament itself and the warm-up games in August, there’ll be enough time as it is spent in hotel rooms and airport lounges without adding to it in July.
The winger has no problem preparing from the comfort of home. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
If it means they get results this September, Bowe says he’ll train anywhere.
“I know a lot of the Welsh guys who are off up in the Swiss Alps and heading off to Qatar and doing all sorts of crazy stuff; I’m sure their training is exceptionally difficult but I don’t think you need to go too far to feel the sort of pain I was in last Tuesday or Friday.
“I think that going into a World Cup some of the senior players would have chatted to the coaches and pointed out how nice it would be to spend a bit of time at home because when these four internationals come up you are going to be spending a lot of time together.
“Then the squad will be going off to a World Cup for an even longer duration of time. It’s very important to keep players fresh, down to getting home to your own bed and making your own food in the kitchen adds to that freshness,” he adds.
Tommy Bowe was present at Kingspan Stadium as BT Sport announced that it is to continue its partnership with Ulster Rugby under a new four-year deal, which sees the two brands team up until the end of the 2018/19 season.
'There’s always more for me to do' - Tommy Bowe not content to stand still
WITH GREAT RESULTS, comes great responsibility.
Back-to-back Six Nations titles and a clean sweep in the 2014 Autumn Internationals means the long grass is no longer an option for Irish sides.
It’s been a favoured entry point for them down the years, but sooner or later the plucky underdog has to learn how to bite like a rottweiler.
Now one of the senior players in the Irish set-up, Tommy Bowe knows this more than most. While he wasn’t part of the squad in 2007 when Ireland came into the World Cup with expectation outweighing hope, he’s aware of the pitfalls, and eager to sidestep them.
“In years gone by I think Ireland have enjoyed being the underdogs but with the players we have in the squad now, the coaching staff, the fact that we have won back to back Six Nations Championships, we can shoulder the expectation that certainly the Irish public have for us.
If Ireland do beat their previous best of a quarter final appearance at the tournament, they may look back at the agonising defeat to the All Blacks in 2013 as the inspiration.
The Ulster winger says the lessons learned in the Aviva Stadium that November have been the catalyst for the their form since.
“But for us to hold it together the whole way through (a World Cup), I think that it something we have been building on since that All Black game, two autumn international series ago, where we let is slip in the last couple of minutes.
When fit, Bowe has had his hand locked on the number 14 jersey like a vice over the last six years, but despite this he’s not content with his status.
He’s one of 10 back three players looking for one of the six or seven places in the final squad going to the tournament, and with the quality of options available, he knows as soon as he lets his guard down, his jersey will be stripped off his back.
“Everyone always comes back the first day looking forward to it and excited and then you hit the pitch and they send you off to do crazy stuff to break you. Then it suddenly gets very quiet, people stop talking.
“There is huge competition for places in the 45-man squad. Everyone knows what’s at stake and on hand. We know there is a big competition ahead, the expectations but it is very much a case of getting ourselves through the pre-season to get ourselves into the best shape going into the four big matches leading up to it (World Cup) that will decide who gets on that plane and who doesn’t.
While other countries are heading away on multiple training camps around the globe, home comforts are being preferred by Joe Schmidt for his pre-season.
Between the tournament itself and the warm-up games in August, there’ll be enough time as it is spent in hotel rooms and airport lounges without adding to it in July.
If it means they get results this September, Bowe says he’ll train anywhere.
“I know a lot of the Welsh guys who are off up in the Swiss Alps and heading off to Qatar and doing all sorts of crazy stuff; I’m sure their training is exceptionally difficult but I don’t think you need to go too far to feel the sort of pain I was in last Tuesday or Friday.
“Then the squad will be going off to a World Cup for an even longer duration of time. It’s very important to keep players fresh, down to getting home to your own bed and making your own food in the kitchen adds to that freshness,” he adds.
Tommy Bowe was present at Kingspan Stadium as BT Sport announced that it is to continue its partnership with Ulster Rugby under a new four-year deal, which sees the two brands team up until the end of the 2018/19 season.
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2015 Rugby World Cup Irish Rugby STIFF COMPETITION Tommy Bowe Ulster