Why modern rugby suits Tommy

WHEN Irish rugby supporters think of Tommy Bowe, they invariably recall certain glorious moments in recent history.

In the 2009 Grand Slam thriller at the Millennium Stadium, Bowe was the winger who burst onto the bouncing kick-pass from Ronan O’Gara and steamed through the Welsh defenders to score what was ultimately the winning try. It was his crowning moment. His appearance on the stage in Dublin is equally as memorable but not quite as spectacular. Believing his squad would be joining in behind him, he was sent to the front to sing The Black Velvet Band. A set-up. Tommy Bowe ended up singing solo, much to amusement of the nation.

Different though they may be, both moments typify Tommy Bowe. On the pitch he is a determined, fierce competitor. He shows a hunger for every 50/50 ball, towering fearlessly into the air to snatch possession from his opposite number.

When he is in the clear, determination is etched in his face and he’ll use his blistering pace to burn opponents. When Bowe steps off the pitch, he is a far more laid-back character, willing to be the instigator or the victim of a laugh.

My international career was winding down when Bowe came on the Irish scene. I first met the young winger at Irish training camps and found him to be capable on the pitch and extremely affable off it. In the 04/05 season, the young Monaghan man was beginning to make a big impression for his province and country. Bowe had already established himself as a deserved international and was a starter in the opening Six Nations’ match that season against Italy. However his form had been questionable and as the tournament progressed, the knives were sharpened for Bowe. He was dropped from the squad following the second match against the French and didn’t appear again that season.

As a result, he was available for Ulster in a Magners League clash at Musgrave Park. That evening, I had my first on-the-field confrontation with Bowe. He was impressive. Bowe didn’t play like a winger. He roamed the field as a second full-back, always in the right place to gather loosely kicked Munster kicks. His counter-attacking lines were intuitive and he always probed the weak areas of the defensive kick-chase line, choosing mismatches against the slower defenders. He scored an individual try that evening, retrieving one of his own garryowens and racing past the Munster defenders. His ability to play as a second full-back made him a valuable asset. Bowe’s confidence might have been rocked by his Irish demotion but his performance that evening still oozed of class.

However, injury and international omission would deny Bowe his deserved recognition for a couple of seasons. He was already out of favour with Eddie O’Sullivan. He would fail to even make it into the 2007 World Cup squad and he had been written off in the media, branded “too slow to play for Ireland” by one smug expert. Bowe needed a change to freshen up his career and despite the IRFU’s belief that Irish players will only prosper in Ireland, he joined the Ospreys.

The decision was inspired.

IN the 2008/2009 season, Tommy Bowe’s move coincided with the IRB’s introduction of a whole new set of laws to the game of rugby. Options to kick directly to touch were greatly reduced. Wingers could no longer afford to leave the majority of fielding to their full-backs. In the new game of aerial ping-pong, it became vitally important that the back three could play as a unit, fielding, kicking and counter-attacking as a unit. Bowe had always played naturally in this role and adapted easily to the new rules. His piercing runs on the counter-attack added an extra dimension to both the Ospreys and Ireland. Because out-halves could no longer freely kick to touch under the new rules, they had to become more imaginative in their kicking games. The kick pass became the new offensive weapon. When O’Gara looks out to his right this evening and sees all 6ft 3ins of Tommy Bowe against 5ft 7ins of Shane Williams, he has to fancy his chances of hitting his target with a kick-pass. And when James Hook looks down the field, he will kick anywhere but in the vicinity of the Irish number 14, knowing too well how devastating Bowe can be when he runs back.

The effects of Bowe’s absence has been felt in the first two matches of the Six Nations. Ireland lacked cutting edge. They missed one of their main try-scoring weapons. The dour Scottish match didn’t afford the Ulster man any opportunities to show his class, but it did serve to knock off the rustiness. The Welsh play a more expansive style. This should afford Bowe more chances to shine. It would be a welcome sight to see history repeat itself today, with Bowe towering over a flustered Shane Williams at the Millennium Stadium.