Bowe comes off the bench to get Ospreys out of jail

FORMER Ulster wing Tommy Bowe helped defending champions Ospreys out of jail as they squeezed past Harlequins 24-23 in the EDF Energy Cup first round at Liberty Stadium.

Replacement Bowe, who has made an impressive start to his career in Swansea, grabbed his third try in five games via a breakaway effort three minutes into injury time, and James Hook nervelessly converted to save face for the Welsh region.

Ospreys head coach Sean Holley admitted there were “a few bruised egos” after Harlequins almost grounded his star-studded side, giving them a timely wake-up call ahead of their trip to the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in their opening Heineken Cup encounter on Saturday.