Revitalised and revved up Bowe is ready to face the Force

Paul O’Connell was not the only Irish player to make a late, injury-hit run onto Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions squad.

Fellow former Lion Tommy Bowe was in the same situation having suffered knee ligament damage during his first season back at Ulster after three seasons with the Ospreys in Wales.

The 29-year-old wing’s hopes of selection received a serious setback last December when injury struck during a Heineken Cup pool game against Northampton at Ravenhill and it would be four months before he could return to action, having missed the chance to put himself in the Lions’ shop window during the Six Nations.