Brilliant Bowe ready for another crack at Boks

John Smit is all set to bring his world beaters to Croke Park in the autumn and Bowe believes the experience the 13 Irish tourists have picked up in South Africa could give them every chance of causing an upset in four months time.

Bowe was at the heart of a stunning Lions fightback in the third and final Test in Johannesburg at the weekend playing out of position at centre. He terrorized the home midfield with his strong running and pulled off two try saving tackles.

It helped Paul O'Connell's men post a record equaling 28-9 win over the Boks and earned them some pride after two narrow defeats on the previous two weekends.

"We were 100 per cent confident coming into the game that we could win it and we owed it to all the Lions supporters in South Africa and back home," said Bowe.

"We could have been 2-0 up in the series, but instead we went into the final Test needing to win one game. It was very important for us to gain any bit of respect we could.

"To pick ourselves up for that last match was incredible after what had happened in the last seconds in Pretoria in the second Test. We had been so close in the other two matches and it would have been such a disappointment if we had come away with no wins.

"Paul and the other leaders in the squad really geed us up in the last couple of days and we knew this was our opportunity and we had to take it.

"It was hard work out there but I enjoyed it. Coming up with a victory put smiles on everyone's faces and means we can go home with our heads held high.

"I think we proved there is not quite as big a gulf as they think down here. I hope to be involved with Ireland when South Africa come up in November and I think we can give them a run for their money."

Bowe can certainly go into that game oozing confidence after playing in all three Tests and scoring four tries on tour. The victory at Coca Cola Park brought to an end an incredible season for the Ulsterman now plying his trade in Wales at the Ospreys.

"Thinking back 12 months I never dreamed I would be in the Lions squad, never mind playing in three Tests. The craic in the changing room after the game was right up there with winning the Grand Slam with Ireland," said Bowe..

"It was a great way to finish what has been a very long season. Now I'm looking forward to reflecting on the year sitting in a deck chair soaking up the sun.

"Losing the series is a huge disappointment, but we are looking at the tour as a success off the pitch. I've got friends for life from this tour and it's the best craic I've ever been a part of on a rugby tour.

"The coaches and management set the tone and the atmosphere, but it was down to the players to do the bonding and the team spirit was tremendous."