Bowe leaving nothing to chance ahead of return

Ireland wing Tommy Bowe is leaving nothing to chance ahead of his expected return to the British & Irish Lions matchday squad for Saturday’s second Test against Australia at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

The Ulsterman, who played all three Tests for the Lions against South Africa in 2009, missed the series-opening win over the Wallabies last Saturday having broken a bone in his hand against the Queensland Reds on June 8.

Bowe, 29, underwent surgery to stabilise the fracture the following day and yesterday, just 18 days later, was going through some final medical checks ahead of his comeback to the Lions squad announced overnight.