Ulster craving success, says Tommy Bowe
The province has undergone momentous change in recent times, something made all too obvious by the fact that Ravenhill has been both rebuilt and rebranded and is now one of the finest, purpose-built rugby stadiums in Europe.
The departure of Mark Anscombe as head coach, replaced by Neil Doak, and the arrival after the World Cup of Les Kiss as Director of Rugby has added to that sense of change, while the signing of All Black Charles Piutau has reinforced their status as serious market movers.
Yet, still they scramble about for success on the pitch.
The province sits third in the Pro12 with three rounds still to play, but an arduous run-in kicks off tomorrow evening when Leinster visit Belfast. Munster are due a week later, before a trip to leaders Glasgow wraps up their regular season.
With the final due to be played in Kingspan Stadium at the end of May, the carrot could hardly dangle any sweeter in front of Bowe and his colleagues and, with league positions determining European seedings as well, the Ireland wing admits the stakes could not be higher.
“It’s enormous. Since I’ve come back [from Ospreys], this is what we’ve talked about. Ulster were in a Heineken Cup final before I came back. We have been knocking on the door for a long, long time. Unfortunately, it has been Leinster who have been the ones that have knocked us out every time. I mean, it’s 2006 since we last won the league.
“For us to be taken seriously... we’ve got the facilities, we’ve got a super coaching [staff] and another great coach coming in and another big signing in over a year’s time, but at the end of the day, trophies and winning things is what a team is graded on. I want to win silverware with Ulster rugby. I think we are in a good position to do it this year.”
Beating Leinster would amount to some revenge against a side that has beaten them in the finals of both the European Cup and Pro12 in recent times and also put paid to their opponent’s fleeting chances of making next month’s play-offs.
That Ulster are in such a good position, behind second-placed Munster only on points difference, is testament to the squad and staff, given the summer upheaval with Anscombe’s departure and the troubles they endured in Europe in a pool containing Toulon and Leicester Tigers.
Munster face Treviso in Cork on Saturday, which is heavily tipped to result in a home win, meaning Ulster must also account for their visitors if they are to push Anthony Foley’s side for that second-placed berth and the home semi-final slot it brings with it.
“That’s why for us to get three wins is what we’re concentrating on at the minute,” said Bowe. “Leinster and Munster at home, two difficult ones, and Glasgow away which is very difficult. We’ve got it all in our hands, though.”
Meanwhile, Edinburgh have confirmed that Ulster back Michael Allen will join the club this summer.
The 24-year-old, who can play at wing or centre, joins Alan Solomons’ side on a two-year deal, which takes him through to May 2017.
A former pupil of Methodist College Belfast, his peers included Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy and Paddy Jackson, who also joined Ulster’s Academy straight from school.
However, Allen admits his move from Belfast to the Scottish capital will take him out of his comfort zone.
He said: “I’ve never lived anywhere else, always been in Belfast, and I’m probably a bit of a homebird. I do love the city and everything that comes with it, but I’m looking forward to making a change, starting afresh.
“Apart from playing Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield over the last few years, I’ve only ever to been to the city twice to visit, both times with rugby school tours when we played Merchiston Castle School.
“I’m really looking forward to moving to the city, I’m really excited. It looks like an incredible place to live.”
He added: “Edinburgh have played some brilliant rugby this year and shown the potential of being a very, very good side. I think the ethos, the fitness, the physicality, everything. From what I can see, the team pride themselves on being the best defensively, the fittest and the most disciplined and I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in and trying to spring anything I can.”
Leinster may be angling for more access to their international stars under the IRFU’s player management system, but Tommy Bowe’s experience with Ospreys in Wales would suggest that union should tread carefully.
The Monaghan wing moved to the Welsh region from Ulster in 2008 and stayed for four years, during which time he featured 77 times and scored 30 tries, before returning to Belfast to his native province.
Bowe kicked on as a player during his stint in Wales, securing his place in the Irish team as his form improved and claiming two Celtic League medals with the Ospreys who boasted a formidable squad that never quite clicked in Europe.
“When I was at the Ospreys, certainly the first two years, I played a huge amount of rugby,” he said yesterday on a promotional engagement for Subway. “I was 24, 25 going on 26 and I just had a small niggles I was able to play week on week.
“But after two years, I felt my body starting to break down a bit from 30-plus games for two or three seasons ... I loved every minute of it and I was able to come back to play for Ireland too, so I was delighted with it.”
Bowe’s story is an interesting and timely one, given the claim by Matt O’Connor earlier this week that Leinster’s lack of access to their Ireland internationals has had a clear effect on the province’s Pro12 ambitions.
Rob Kearney, the chairman of the players’ union IRUPA, added that the IRFU might even be amenable to tweaking the player management regulations which seek to keep the top players fresh and fit for the international arena.
The majority of the IRFU’s income is derived from the international squad and, though the provinces are entitled to seek greater assistance, there is an imperative not to do anything to jeopardise success at the Test levels.
Bowe did point out that Ulster have not been affected by the player management rulings as much as Leinster — whom they meet in Belfast in a vital Pro12 clash tomorrow — but the current system has clearly found his favour. “Since I’ve come back to Ulster, the player management system has suited me amazingly,” said Bowe.
“The way they look after the player has benefited me massively. Getting that bit better looked after would be a massive thing for keeping players in Ireland.
“That was a massive part of me coming home.
“A massive part. I could have potentially gone to France or somewhere, but I knew my body was starting to fatigue a little. I knew I would have been flogged and just sent out to play.
“Now, unfortunately, I picked up unlucky injuries when I returned but, nevertheless, I feel I’m back up to whre I feel I should be.”
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