rugby fixtures 28-11-14

 There are fewer internationals this week as the Autumn Internationals are on. I will look at England v Australia and Wales v South Africa.   I will also look in detail at Munster v Ulster and give an opinion on the other Irish provinces in action

 

ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA

Gloucester's Billy Twelvetrees will start for England in Saturday's Test against Australia at Twickenham.

The centre, 26, replaces Owen Farrell, who moves to the bench.

Northampton Saints pair Tom Wood and Dylan Hartley takes over from James Haskell and Rob Webber at flanker and hooker respectively.

Second-row forward Courtney Lawes, another Saints player, has recovered from a knee injury sustained in last weekend's 28-9 win over Samoa.

England: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby) Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); George Ford (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby).

Replacements: Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), George Kruis (Saracens), James Haskell (Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Marland Yarde (Harlequins).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/

My analysis 

In my opinion this will be a very close match that could go either way.  I see it going towards England as I think they will have more of a will to win at home.

WALES V SOUTH AFRICA

- Centre, Jaque Fourie, has been named in the South Africa side to face Wales and plays for his country for the first time since the 2011 World Cup.

- The Springboks face Six Nations champions Wales on Saturday.

- Prop Frans Malherbe will make his Test debut for South Africa, while wing JP Pietersen also returns to the side.

- South Africa team to face Wales: Pat Lambie; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers (captain), Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis (v-captain), Frans Malberhe, Eben Etzebeth, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Louw, Willem Alberts, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, JJ Engelbrecht, Willie le Roux.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24837794

Wales team v South Africa:
 L Halfpenny (Toulon); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Clermont Auvergne), J Roberts (Racing Métro), L Williams (Scarlets); D Biggar (Ospreys), R Webb (Ospreys); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets); J Ball (Scarlets), A W Jones (Ospreys); D Lydiate (unattached), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements E Phillips (Scarlets), A Jarvis (Ospreys), R Jones (Scarlets), L Charteris (Racing Métro), J King (Ospreys), M Phillips (Racing Métro), R Priestland (Scarlets), S Williams (Scarlets).

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/wales-vs-south-africa-we-are-actually-ahead-of-schedule-says-warren-gatland-9888907.html

My Analysis 

I feel that this match is a very important match for Wales as it will tell them more where they stand in the world going into the World Cup.  I do see this as a very close match not won by more than a score but would have to go with South Africa as they have a better team.

PRO 12 TABLE 

We will be going back to the pro 12 a little as well as I first show you the current standings and the fact that Ulster are joint top:

                                                

		Played	Won	Tries	Lost	TP	Points
1.	Ospreys	8	7	0	1	225:120	30
2.	Ulster	8	6	1	1	204:98	30
3.	Munster	8	6	0	2	196:113	28
4.	Glasgow Warriors	8	6	0	2	202:146	27
5.	Leinster	8	4	1	3	208:136	24
6.	Connacht	8	5	1	2	148:131	23
7.	Llanelli Scarlets	8	4	2	2	186:146	22
8.	Edinburgh	8	3	1	4	120:195	15
9.	Cardiff Blues	8	1	1	6	161:228	8
10.	Dragons	8	1	0	7	113:192	7
11.	Zebre	9	1	0	7	90:217	5
12.	Treviso	8	0	1	7	100:231	4

PRO 12 FIXTURES

MUNSTER V ULSTER FRI 7.35PM

Rory Best will start for Ulster in Friday's Pro12 game against Munster in one of four changes from last weekend's win over leaders the Ospreys. Best returns as hooker in place of Rob Herring after playing in Ireland's win over Australia last weekend.

Alan O'Connor and Nick Williams also replace Lewis Stevenson and Clive Ross in the pack while Ian Humphreys comes in for injured fly-half Paddy Jackson. Jared Payne remains out after missing Ireland's win over Australia.

The Munster coach hands a first start to South African centre, Pat Howard, who joined the club recently on a three-month contract. Howard takes over for Andrew Smith while other backs changes see Gerhard van den Heever in for Andrew Conway and Duncan Williams taking over from Cathal Sheridan at scrum-half.
 

In the pack, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha and CJ Stander replace Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer and Sean Dougall.
 

Ireland squad members Felix Jones, Dave Kilcoyne and Tommy O'Donnell are named among the replacements.
 

Munster: JJ Hanrahan; G van den Heever, P Howard, Denis Hurley, R O'Mahony; I Keatley, D Williams; J Ryan, D Casey, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan (capt), B Holland; R Copeland, P Butler, CJ Stander

Replacements: K O'Byrne, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, T O'Donnell, S Dougall, N Cronin, A Smith, F Jones

Ulster: S Olding; L Ludik, D Cave, S McCloskey, C Gilroy, I Humphreys, P Marshall; C Black, R Best (capt), W Herbst; A O'Connor, F van der Merwe; R Wilson, S Reidy, N Williams.
Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, R Diack, M Heaney, M Allen, P Nelson

My Analysis
 

With a few Irish players coming back, the match of the week has to be Munster v Ulster. What makes this match interesting is you are not sure who is in the stronger position but Ulster have that little bit of form behind them so I will back them.

 

LEINSTER V OSPREYS

 

 

My Analysis 

This is a match between the biggest team in the league and the best team in the league this season and by the way that Leinster are playing at the moment, I feel that they will find it difficult to get a bonus point loss. 

 

CONNACHT V SCARLETS

 

 

My Analysis

Connacht are a team that are doing a lot better this season than others.  This year, Connacht have got the form to win this match but I feel that if they are going to reach the play offs this season this is the type of match that they must win

      

Dan Tuohy

DAN TUOHY

FULL NAME:   Daniel Tuohy  

POSITION:   Lock

DOB:   Jun 18, 1985

PLACE OF BIRTH:   Bristol, England

HEIGHT:   198 cm ( 6 FT 6IN)

WEIGHT:   113 kg (7 ST 11 LBS)

SCHOOLS ATTENDED:    Hartpury College

YOUTH CLUB:    Weston-Super-Mare RFC

SENIOR CLUBS:

2007–08 Gloucester Rugby  2 (0)

2008–09 Exeter Chiefs 0 (0)

2009–    Ulster    104 (45)

NATIONAL TEAMS:   Ireland 9(5)

PLAYED:   113

POINTS:   60

PLAYER BIO
 

CLUB CAREER
 

Dan Tuohy (born 18 June 1985) is an English-born Ireland international Rugby Union player, currently playing for Ulster Rugby. He plays as a lock.

He moved to Ulster from Exeter Chiefs on a two-year contract and began pre-season training with the squad in July 09.

Having come through a strong academy system in the Guinness Premiership with Gloucester, the Irish-qualified lock had Ireland U21 honours to his name before his arrival in Belfast.

With his excellent lineout abilities and his excellent turn of pace, Dan has become a regular starter for Ulster.  He won two senior Ireland caps in June 2010, scoring a try against New Zealand, and appearing again against Australia.

Tuohy started rugby on the wing for Weston-Super-Mare R.F.C. Colts before becoming a second row forward.  He made his first professional appearance for Gloucester against London Irish in the Guinness Premiership and received the Man of the Match award. In May 2012, he scored Ulster's only try in the 14-42 defeat to Leinster in the Heineken Cup final.

In 2012/13 he played 20 times for Ulster and scored a memorable try against Northampton in Franklin's Gardens as the Province secured a record win.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER
 

In May 2010, Tuohy was named in the 33-man squad for Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.  He went on to play for Ireland in the non-cap match against the Barbarians on 4 June 2010. On 12 June 2010, Tuohy made his test debut, coming on in the first half of the game against New Zealand in New Plymouth. Ireland lost the game by 66–28, with Tuohy scoring a try in the first minute after coming on.

The following season he was selected by Ireland Head Coach, Joe Schmidt, in his squad for the RBS 6 Nations.  He was a late replacement for the injured Paul O’Connell against Scotland and was excellent in a convincing win for the international side.  He retained his place for the following match but a broken arm meant his participation in the match was limited to just 9 minutes.

He is now an established member of the Ireland international squad and a highly important member of the Ulster team.

My analysis

I feel that Dan Touhy can be a very important part of the Ulster squad and might be the difference between Ulster qualifying or not for the league play offs. I do see it as almost impossible now to reach the “European Challenge Cup” quarters.  I feel that he is important in the line out and should be in the squad for the World Cup. I think that he will not be in the team but needs to play a little more with the team as he has so few caps and may make that bit of difference in the World Cup after coming off the bench.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS 24-11-14

IRELAND 26-23 AUSTRALIA

ZEBO AND BOWE  SHOWS CLASS AS IRELAND BATTLE TO WIN AGAINST AUSSIES 

Joe Schmidt's Irish looked in control after Simon Zebo's try and Tommy Bowe's breakaway score helped them lead 17-0.  However, the strong-running Wallabies fought back to lead after two Nick Phipps' tries and a Bernard Foley score. Sexton's penalty levelled before the break and his two second-half penalties proved enough for the Irish.

MY ANALYSIS:

THIS MATCH HAD EVERYTHING FROM AN INCREDIBLE FIRST HALF AND A GIANT IRELAND LEAD TO AN AMAZING COMEBACK FOR AUSTRALIA. THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLY TENSE SECOND HALF WHERE FEW POINTS WERE SCORED. IRELAND GOT THE WIN WHICH WILL MAKE THEM THIRD IN THE WORLD BUT WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE AND LOST IN QUARTER FINALS.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30085485

ENGLAND 28-9 SAMOA

ENGLAND STILL HAVE QUESTIONS TO ASK OF THEMSELVES... MAYBE THEY WILL GET ANSWERS ON SATURDAY

England wing Jonny May scampered through a gap to score the only try of a scrappy first half at Twickenham. One crisp handling put May in for his second shortly after, but England never cut loose as a capacity crowd hoped.

Samoa stubbornly kept in touch, however, with Tusi Pisi's pair of penalties ensuring they were within a converted score at the break.

Firstly, he picked out club team-mate Anthony Watson with a cross-field punt which gave the winger space to draw the cover defence and off-load for Brown

MY ANALYSIS:
ENGLAND LOOKED VERY GOOD IN THIS MATCH AGAINST SAMOA. THE GAME LOOKED A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE THAN IT PROBABLY WAS. ENGLAND HAVE GOT ONE MORE MATCH ON SATURDAY AGAINST AUSTRALIA AND HOPEFULLY THEIR MOMENTUM IS A THING THAT CAN HELP THEM GET THE PERFORMANCE THAT THEY THINK THEY NEED AS IT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30132193

WALES 16-24 NEW ZEALAND

WALES SHOULD HAVE WON BUT BARRETT CLOSES IT OUT 

Wales 61 year wait for a win goes on as again New Zealand win in a very close match.

Wales had begun well, winning three penalties at the breakdown in the first five minutes and converting the sole "kicklable" one as the All Blacks coughed up a series of uncharacteristic knock-ons, forward passes and kicks put out on the full.

Barrett missed a simple penalty to compound the sluggish start but he levelled from halfway midway through the half.

And, as the Welsh scrum began to creak, the visitors muscled their way into a fierce contest. The home defence was ferocious, though, holding off a series of drives off a New Zealand scrum 20 metres out.

But within moments of the re-start much of that hard work was undone.

Wales did well to turn over New Zealand ball on their own try-line but Halfpenny then opted to go back into contact rather than kick clear and was stripped of the ball.

The All Blacks went left, Conrad Smith flipped a pass out of the back of his hand as Jamie Roberts thundered into him and Savea wriggled free of Biggar's tackle to score in the corner.

A try from Rhys Webb and 11 points from the boot of Leigh Halfpenny had given Warren Gatland's men a one-point lead with 11 minutes left.

But with characteristic ruthlessness, New Zealand accelerated away.

Two tries from Beauden Barrett and one from Kieran Read meant they ended the match in complete control.

MY ANALYSIS:

WALES HAD A GOOD CHANCE TO BEAT NEW ZEALAND IN THIS MATCH BUT NEW ZEALAND BEING NEW ZEALAND DUG THEMSELVES OUT OF A HOLE AND MANAGED TO DEFEAT THE WELSH BUT FOR THE WELSH THIS WAS DEFINITELY ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30164081

ITALY 6-22 SOUTH AFRICA

ARE ITALY GETTING BETTER?

Scorers:

Italy:

Penalty Goals: Kelly Haimona (12, 42)

South Africa:

Tries: Coenie Oosthuizen (22),Cobus Reinach (59),Bryan Habana (79)

Conversions: Handre Pollard (60, 80)

THIS WAS A MASSIVE SCARE FOR SOUTH AFRICA AS THEY COULD HAVE LOST THIS MATCH. THIS WAS TOO CLOSE TO CALL AND SOUTH AFRICA SHOWED THAT THEY CAN GET NERVOUS BUT DEFINITELY ITALY ARE IMPROVING AND IN A FEW YEARS COULD BE A FORCE IN RUGBY. I JUST THINK THAT THIS PERFORMANCE IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD LOOKED AT 

autumn internationals friday preview 21-11-1`4

Its Friday and that means that it is preview day today. The first match that I will focus on today is the main one which is Ireland v Australia

IRELAND V AUSTRALIA

With Jared Payne ruled out, D'Arcy, 34, retains his place at centre after starting against Georgia last weekend.

Robbie Henshaw switches to outside centre after wearing the number 12 jersey against the Springboks.

Hooker Best missed the shock win over South Africa because of a calf injury but returns in place of Sean Cronin.

Australia coach Michael Cheika has made four changes from last weekend's 29-26 defeat by France which includes handing a debut to Fiji-born winger Henry Speight.

Speight, who only qualified to play for Australia on residency in September, replaces his ACT Brumbies team-mate Joe Tomane while another change in the backs sees Matt Toomua taking over from Christian Lealiifano.

In the pack, Luke Jones takes over at blindside flanker from Sean McMahon while Sam Carter displaces former skipper James Horwill at lock

TEAMS

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Robbie Henshaw, Gordon D'Arcy, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Mike Ross: Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell (capt); Peter O'Mahony, Rhys Ruddock, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Rodney Ah You, Dave Foley, Tommy O'Donnell, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Felix Jones

Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevenia Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Henry Speight; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; James Slipper, Saia Fainga'a, Sekope Kepu; Sam Carter, Rob Simmons; Luke Jones, Michael Hooper (capt), Ben McCalman.

Replacements [from]: James Hanson, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Tetera Faulkner, Will Skelton, James Horwill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale.

I THINK THAT THIS MATCH IS GOING TO BE INCREDABLY CLOSE AND NOT WON BY MORE THAN 3 POINTS. I WOULD GIVE IT TO IRELAND BUT I THINK THAT IT WILL BE A TENSE AFFAIR FROM THE START TO THE FINISH WITH NO TEAM EVER GETTING MORE THAN AN 8 POINT LEAD AT ANY GIVEN TIME

WALES V NEW ZEALAND

Star fly-half Dan Carter is not in the matchday squad for the game in Cardiff as coach Steve Hansen feels he is "rusty" after recovering from injury. Instead Beauden Barrett is at 10 with Colin Slade on the bench.

Hansen said of 33-year-old flanker McCaw: "He is now one of the all-time great leaders of any sports team."Ben Smith remains at full-back for the All Blacks, so Israel Dagg misses out. Conrad Smith is back to partner Sonny Bill Williams at centre.

Wales centre Jonathan Davies and wing Alex Cuthbert are among those to express a belief they can end their losing streak on Saturday.

TEAMS

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Paul James (Bath), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (unattached), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), James Hook (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

New Zealand: Ben Smith; Charles Piutau, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Joe Moody, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Messam, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty.

NEW ZEALAND ARE PREPARED TO WIN THIS MATCH AND HAVE PROVEN OVER TIME THAT THEY ARE THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD AND I CAN NOT SEE WALES GETTING CLOSE TO THEM AT ANY TIME I CAN SEE THIS GOING TO NEW ZEALAND BY 20 POINTS. I DO FEEL THAT THERE WILL BE PARTS OF THIS MATCH WRER IT IS VERY CLOSE AT THE START AND WILL TAKE NE ZEALAND SOME TIME TO GET GOING.

 ENGLAND V SAMOA

George Ford is given his first England cap. The 21-year-old, one of five changes to the side beaten by South Africa, is in for the injured Kyle Eastmond, meaning Owen Farrell moves to inside centre.

Ben Youngs replaces Danny Care at scrum-half, while Rob Webber at hooker relegates Dylan Hartley to the bench.

Ben Morgan ousts Billy Vunipola at eight and Wasps' James Haskell starts.

Haskell, 29, has impressed for his club this season and returns to the starting XV at blind-side flanker, having made his most recent start in the first Test against New ­Zealand in Auckland in June, with Tom Wood dropping to the bench.

England team in full: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Anthony Watson (Bath), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), George Ford (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Rob Webber (Bath), David Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood (Bath), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain), Ben Morgan (Gloucester).

Replacements: Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Kieran, Brookes (Newcastle), George Kruis (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde (Harlequins).

THIS IS A GAME THAT ENGLAND MUST WIN BY 14 POINTS TO BE A GOOD PREFORMANCE FOR SAMOAH THEY HAVE TO KEEP IT VERY CLOSE AND I FEEL THAT ENGLAND WILL WIN IT BUT NOT BY MUCH 

TOMMY BOWE

Full name            Thomas John Bowe

Date of birth      22 February 1984 (age 30)

Place of birth     Emyvale, County Monaghan, Ireland

Height   1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)

Weight 102 kg (16 st 1 lb)

School   Royal School, Armagh

University           University of Ulster, Jordanstown; University of London International Programmes

Rugby union career

Playing career

Position                Wing, Centre

Amateur clubs

Years     Club / team

Monaghan RFC

Belfast Harlequins

Professional / senior clubs

Years     Club / team        Caps      (points)

2003–08 Ulster Played 91 points 170

2008–12 Osprey’s played 77 points 180

2012–present    Ulster played 124  points 240

National team(s)

Years     Club / team        Caps      (points)

2004–present

2009, 2013          

Ireland caps 55 points 135

Loins 5 points0

of 9 November 2014.

Thomas John "Tommy" Bowe (born 22 February 1984) is an Irish rugby union player from County Monaghan, Ireland. He plays on the wing for the Ulster, Ireland and the Lions. In March 2012, after four years with Ospreys, Bowe returned to his native province, Ulster, for the 2012/13 season.

EARLY RUGBY AND GAELIC CAREER 

He is a former pupil of The Royal School, Armagh, Northern Ireland; he was a full-back in his younger days converting to wing whilst playing for Ireland U-21s. Bowe played Gaelic football from U10 level with Emyvale, his local GAA club and he also ran for the Glaslough Harriers and represented his local parish Donagh in the All-Ireland Community Games and went to Mosney with the Monaghan Relay team. He represented Monaghan at U16 and Minor level at Gaelic football. Bowe also played rugby with Monaghan RFC at underage levels as well as representing his primary school team. He attended the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and played for the Queens University Belfast rugby team, earning a selection to the Ireland U20 Team before moving to Belfast Harlequins. He subsequently was capped at U21 level and was named as the Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) 'Young Player of the Year' in 2003

                                 CLUB PROVINCIAL CAREER 

Bowe received a call-up to the Ulster squad in the 2003–04 season, scoring on his debut against Connacht in a 42-27 win and soon made his name as an Ulster automatic. He won the Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year Award at the Ulster Rugby Awards Dinner in May 2005.On 25 January 2008 he said that he would leave Ulster at the end of the 2008 Celtic League season, to join the Ospreys on a two-year deal where he proved himself as a brilliant  finisher.

 In his first season with the Welsh club, he scored a club-record four European Cup tries in a match against Treviso, as well as becoming the leading Magners League try-scorer, having scored the most tries in the league's history an incredible personal achievement .In 2008, he won both the Ulster and Ireland Player of the Year awards.

2009 was an awsome year for Bowe, as he was an important part of the Ireland  that won the Six Nations Grand Slam, before touring South Africa with the British & Irish Lions later that year. He came second behind Jamie Roberts for the Player of the Series. The following year he landed a number of individual accolades including the Six Nations Player of the Championship, the IRUPA Players' Player of the Year and the Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year.

 In December 2009 it was announced that Bowe had signed a 3-year extension with the Ospreys, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2012/13 season. Bowe returned to Ulster at the start of the 2012/13 season on a 3 year deal. He scored 2 tries on his return for Ulster against Cardiff Blues and was an important part in the province's league season, helping them to the Pro12 Final.

His first season back at Ulster was disrupted by injury, but he recovered and was selected by Lions coach, Warren Gatland for the tour of Australia

INTERNATIONAL CARER

Bowe made his senior international debut against the USA during the 2004 Autumn Internationals becoming the first player from County Monaghan to win an Ireland cap since the 1920s, marking his introduction to test rugby with a second half try. Bowe won further caps during Ireland's tour to Japan and their Autumn Internationals in 2005. With that experience and an impressive run of form for Ulster in the Celtic League, he made the 22-man panel for Ireland's 2006 Six Nations opener against Italy,  and scored a try. After Ireland's poor first half against France in the following Championship match, Bowe was cut from the squad making allegations of him being made a scapegoat by Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan.

An injury-plagued latter part of 2006 precipitated a downturn in form, though a rejuvenated Bowe came back with 5 tries in 6 matches to earn his place in Ireland's 2007 Six Nations squad. He failed to make the Irish squad for the disappointing 2007 Rugby World Cup. Ireland has never had a strong World Cup. Bowe earned himself a place in Ireland's original 2008 Six Nations squad after a quality season with Ulster. He was overlooked for the Ireland matchday squad to play Italy in the tournament's opening game, however, despite his form. He was again dropped from the squad the following week when Ireland were disappoint  defeated by France in Paris in a close match, however on 19 February 2008 Bowe was named in the starting team at for the visit of Scotland to Croke Park, a match in which he scored two tries. He then played in the losses to Wales and England.

At the start of 2008 Bowe made 2 starts against Argentina and France in the 6 nations scoring Irelands only try against Argentina.

Bowe impressed as Ireland claimed their first win over France in six years with 30–21 triumph. Their next game was against Italy. Despite a performance that was upsetting, Bowe scored a try as Ireland romped to a 38–9 win. After wins against England and Scotland, Ireland took on Wales with a grand slam at stake. With Ireland trailing 6–0 at halftime they came out firing as Brian O'Driscoll scored to put them 7–6 up. Then, from a Ronan O'Gara chip, Bowe gathered and outpaced Williams also from Ospreys to score under the posts for a try. Wales came back from 6–14 to go up 15–14 with six minutes remaining, but O'Gara slotted a last gasp drop goal to give Ireland the lead again. Wales had one more chance to snatch the game from Ireland with Jones having a penalty on halfway with the final kick of the ball. But Jones missed by a matter of inches and Ireland claimed a dramatic win and their first grand slam in 61 years.

In February 2010 against England in the 2010 Six Nations Championship, he scored two tries including the clinching try with five minutes to go in a 20–16 win at Twickenham. In March 2010, Bowe was voted 2010 Six Nations Player of the Championship, gaining over 50% of the vote.

Bowe continued to represent Ireland throughout 2010. He was selected in Ireland's squad for the 2011 Six Nations Championship, and scored the opening try of Ireland's demolition of a Grand-Slam chasing England on 19 March. He went to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, his first such tournament, and scored a try against the USA in Ireland's opening Pool C game. He was selected in the squad for the 2012 Six Nations Championship, during which he rediscovered his try-scoring ability. scoring 5 tries in Ireland's first three games, including braces against Italy and France.

LIONS CAREER 

On 21 April 2009, Bowe was named as a member of the British and Irish Lions squad  for the 2009 tour to South Africa. He made his the first start  on the tour, versus a Royal XV and, in this game, became the first try scorer of the 2009 tour. He then scored two tries against the Golden Lions which contributed to him being picked  for the test side. He wasn't included for the next two games before coming back for the match against Western Province where he scored his fourth try of the tour and set up another for Ugo Monye.

His form on the Tour was outstanding, winning him praise from the press. On 18 June 2009, Ian McGeechan named Bowe in his test side to face South Africa in Durban on 20 June where The Lions lost 26–21 . Bowe, although holding his own in defence, wasn't given any room to run. He was again selected on the wing for the second test. The Lions lost 28–25 due to a last minute penalty by Morné Steyn to clinch the series for the |bocks. Bowe in this game had more opportunities to run and was dangerous in attack. Due to injuries to Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts, Bowe was selected at outside centre in a partnership with Riki Flutey. He came second behind Jamie Roberts for the Player of the Series award.

In April 2013 he was picked as a member of the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia. While playing against the Queensland Reds, Bowe broke a bone in his hand, which threatened to end his Lions tour. He managed to recover from the injury in time to be included the team in the last two tests against Australia, taking the place from Alex Cuthbert who had replaced him while Bowe was out, but was unable to score any points. He played in that game and the third and deciding test in Sydney and helped the Lions achieve a historic series victory.

HONOURS 

IRUPA Young Player of the Year 2004

Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year Award 2005

IRUPA Players' Player of the Year 2008

RBS Player of the Championship for the 2010 RBS 6 Nations

IRUPA Players' Player of the Year 2010

Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year 2010

TV WORK 

Bowe was guest chef in episode two of series seven of The Restaurant in 2010.

He appeared on RTÉ's The Late Late Show on 21 May 2010 where he was quizzed on his version of the song "The Black Velvet Band" which he sang during Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations.

Bowe was the focus of an RTÉ documentary Tommy Bowe's Bodycheck, which examined what it takes to be a top professional rugby player.

FAMILY 

His father, Paul, won a Leinster Schools' Cup medal with Newbridge College on the 1970 team, captained by Mick Quinn and went on to win a cap for Leinster Schools. Ann, his mother, is a physiotherapist in Co. Monaghan and she runs her own practice. His sister, Hannah, is an Ireland hockey international and she is also a member of the Monaghan ladies Gaelic football team. His girlfriend is former Miss Wales Lucy Whitehouse.

IN MY OPINION TOMMY BOWE IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE WORLD AT THE MOMENT. I FEEL THAT HE CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ULSTER HAVING A GOOD AND A BAD SEASON. HE IS A WINGER THAT I LOVE AND HE CAN CHANGE A MATCH IN AN INSTANT AND CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE IN ULSTER HAVING A PLAY OFF SEASON AND FINISHING TH WITH THE WAY HE PLAYS. H WILL ALSO BE AN IMPORTANT PLAYER FOR IRELAND AS HE HAS ESTABLISHED HIMSELF THERE ALSO. I FEEL THAT HE CAN BE THE BEST IN THE WORLD AT HIS POSITION AND CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE IN HO FAR THEY CAN GO IN THE WOELD CUP.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Bowe

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/team/profile.aspx?TeamID=101756&PersonID=106087