TOMMY BOWE MISSED out on the battling victory achieved by Ulster’s second string, over Munster, at the weekend. With the likes of Bowe, Ruan Pienaar and Rory Best hoping to return, it is very much a case of the senior players saying ‘We’ll take it from here lads’.
The winger has scored six tries in 12 games this season but has missed out on some of his team’s big matches. He is a month into his latest comeback and has been on the losing side in three of the four matches he has featured in. Bowe remains positive, however, that two big performances could yet see the season viewed as a success.
Bowe told TheScore.ie: “We’ve been in two finals in the last two years and to have been knocked out by Leinster in both of them is quite frustrating. We’ll be playing Leinster again in the RDS and we’re looking at it as a massive opportunity to reach another final.”
Sendings off to Jared Payne, against Saracens in a Heineken Cup quarter final defeat, and Tom Court, in the recent league loss to Leinster, had Ulster bristling but Bowe points to Ospreys loss to Zebre as a hopeful turning point. He said, “There’s a fair bit of positivity now and hope that things may be heading in our direction and, when it comes to knock-out rugby, anything can happen.”
Bowe commented, “We went down to them with 14 men, last time out. That was disappointed as it was our first game at the new Ravenhill. We beat them twice in the league last year but haven’t been as fortunate this year.” Bowe added:
Those defeats will play as good motivation for us, as will the fact that we won at the RDS last season. We’ll be very confident going into the game. If we can keep 15 men on the pitch and get a couple of key guys back from injuries, we’ll have a great team heading down and a great chance of getting the win.
“We’ve been knocking on the door for the last couple of years while Leinster have been the most successful team in Europe for the last five or six. They’re not an easy team to beat, especially in their back yard, but that won’t stop us from heading down with confidence that we can get the result.”
Asked if he has two 80 minute performances, back-to-back, Bowe remarked, “Jesus, I’d like to play now as much as I can, considering how much I’ve missed during the season. I’d love to travel over [to Argentina with Ireland] but we’ll have to see how I go over the next few weeks.”
“From a wear and tear point of view,” he added. “I feel I could continue on for another couple of months. I’m sure a lot of the guys, who came off the Lions Tour last summer and a lot of competitive rugby this season, their bodies could do with a rest but there’s not much rugby left. This is the business end of the season and anybody that wants to win trophies want to be playing these big games.”
The way leinster have been playing, ulster have to be extremely confident about winning, as a leinster fan I’m seriously worried for next Saturday.
We’ll take it from here? The Ulster reserves against Munster have ensured that the 1st team have a big billing to live upto, not least of all a number of improved personal performances. The reserves pulled off the improbable against Munster that should be inspiration to the Senior players that have not yet done the same in the last 2 finals.
I heard the same last year and the year before but when it’s time to hand out the winners medals ulster just can’t seem to manage it.
As bad as Leinster are they win still best ulster.
This is a semi. No medals collected Saturday night. We’ve won two semis in last two years. Going of form Ulster should pip this one in a tight affair. Primarily because with Jackson having an outstanding season, our halfbacks are superior in what is otherwise a fairly even contest.
Tight yes, foregone conclusion no. Who could have forecast the sending off of Tom Court and Jared Payne? The squad that travels should take confidence from the reserves that broke the bad luck streak by doing the improbable at Thomond. Confidence and a return to form will break the bogey that is Leinster in the big games.
Should be very tight, Leinster are not in great form and Ulster should have nothing to fear going to the RDS. There is a nice prize for the winner a chance of a big cup.
I’ve a sneaking feeling Ulster could win this.Last match was a tight one between these two.
What the crack with Stephen ferris?
Is he injured again?
sprained his ankle(good ankle) a few weeks ago. That’s it as far as I know
*better. Theyre both dodgy
Cheers ken it’s a real shame
Fingers crossed he gets better before the summer tours with Ireland and he gets some much needed game time