Scots next on Bowe’s mind

TOMMY BOWE is targeting a return to Declan Kidney’s squad ahead of Ireland game’s at Murrayfield next Sunday after coming through 80 minutes unscathed for the Ospreys in a bonus-point Magners League win over Treviso.

The winger has been sidelined with a knee injury, but says he’s ready for Scotland.

“The Triple Crown is still very much alive for us and if results go our way, we’re still in a chance of the Championship,” he insisted. “We need to win next weekend and hopefully I’ll be involved.

“The most important thing for me was to get through a game and for my knee to be fine, which I’ve now done. I like to think I can bring an element of attack to the team.”

Elsewhere, Italy coach Nick Mallett has admitted there was no letter of apology sent by referee Romain Poite for his performance in last season’s defeat to Ireland in Dublin.

“I have already apologised to Romain and I am happy to put the record straight after I was reported as saying that Romain had written to us last year,” the South African explained.

“I did not intend to put undue pressure on him prior to our match last week, but accept that this may have been a consequence.”