Bowe eager to be part of new game-plan

After a year out of the Ireland jersey, Tommy Bowe has more reason than most to view the coming of the Joe Schmidt era as a clean slate.

Knee surgery made the Ulster wing one of the casualties that sent the injury rate through the roof during Declan Kidney’s final Six Nations campaign so the chance of a fresh start is a source of great excitement as Bowe prepares to face Samoa on Saturday.

The Lions hero is a little short on peak match fitness with only four games under his belt this season but he is hoping he will be included in Schmidt’s first team selection today, 50 weeks on from his 51st and last Ireland cap against Argentina.