Bowe revels in Grand Slam glory

Ireland Grand Slam hero Tommy Bowe will be back at work on Tuesday – with many of the players whose RBS 6 Nations title dream he helped destroy.

There is no let-up for the Irish wing, who faces two big cup games during the next three weeks.

And the Ospreys’ Irishman-in-residence knows bragging rights are his when he returns for training alongside the likes of Wales stars Shane Williams, Gavin Henson, Mike Phillips and Ryan Jones.

“I will be walking in with a smile, and I am looking forward to that,” said Bowe, whose 10th try in 23 Tests helped Ireland claim a stunning Six Nations title triumph.

“But we have a big match against Gloucester next weekend, so I can’t celebrate the Grand Slam too much.

“It will be nice to go back to training on Tuesday now with a smile on my face.”

Bowe’s finishing power has elevated him among the front-runners for a wing berth in the Lions squad to tour South Africa this summer.

And the selectors are certain to keep a close eye on his performances against EDF Energy Cup semi-final opponents Gloucester next Saturday, followed by Heineken Cup quarter-final rivals Munster a fortnight later.

Bowe though, has probably already done enough, and will be part of a sizeable Irish contingent pencilled in for the South African expedition.

“I am sure they (Lions selectors) have been looking at the Six Nations, and to get the win in Cardiff would have done me no harm,” he said.

“But it’s back to the drawing board, and back to Swansea this week.”

Ireland left Cardiff with the title, Triple Crown and first Grand Slam since 1948, but only after a nerve-tingling climax that culminated in Wales fly-half Stephen Jones narrowly missing a long-range penalty attempt.

“I think Paul O’Connell was halfway up the pitch with his arms in the air before we had even dotted the ball down,” said Bowe, reflecting on the moment Ireland’s long Grand Slam wait finally ended.

“Prayers went out in the hope that the kick would be off-target.

“As it flew through the air, I thought ’Oh, no, it’s going over’. But when it dropped short, words cannot describe how I felt.

“Obviously, there were little bits of panic with the penalty at the very end.

“But there is such a belief in this side, coming through from the provinces, the players, (coach) Declan (Kidney) and everyone.

“Such belief has been instilled into the set-up, and that’s been the big thing in the Six Nations. We’ve fallen behind in games, but we’ve always managed to claw our way back.”

Bowe also paid tribute to fly-half Ronan O’Gara, whose injury-time drop-goal ultimately made the difference.

“There is nobody nobody better than Ronan to step up and slot a drop-goal like that,” he added.

“Ronan was fantastic. I am sure he will put his hand up for a couple of dodgy kicks, but the occasion got to everyone – everyone had a few dodgy moments.

“It was great to see how it turned out for him. What a star.

“This game had been building up for weeks.

“After the first weekend of the Six Nations people were talking about this match, but who would have thought that it would actually come down to it?

“Everyone is buzzing, the music was so loud in the changing room and all the lads were singing. It’s going to be a great couple of days.”