Tommy Bowe

A former pupil of The Royal School, Armagh, Bowe was a schoolboy provincial full-back, only converting to wing whilst playing for Ireland U-21s. Bowe also ran for the Glaslough Harriers and represented his local parish Donagh in the All-Ireland Community Games.

Bowe played Gaelic football from under-10 level with Emyvale, his local GAA club, and later represented Monaghan at under-16 and Minor level. He 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 Queen's University Belfast rugby team, earning a selection to the Ireland U20 Team before transferring to Belfast Harlequins. He was subsequently capped at U21 level and was named the Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) Young Player of the Year in 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/monaghan/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=66932|title=From Emyvale to International Rugby|publisher=Hoganstand.com|access-date=16 February 2016}}

File:Osprey Bowe.jpg, Gavin Henson and Tommy Bowe playing for Ospreys]]

Bowe received a call-up to the Ulster squad at the end of the 2003–04 season, scoring on his debut against Connacht and soon made his name as an Ulster regular. He was named IRUPA Young Player of the Year in May 2004.[https://web.archive.org/web/20040605020338/http://www.ulsterrugby.com/newspage/49667.html "Tommy Bowe – IRUPA Young Player of the Year"], Ulster Rugby, 20 May 2004, archived 5 June 2004 He won the Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year Award at the Ulster Rugby Awards Dinner in May 2005.[http://www.irishrugby.ie/6855_4574.php] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120130452/http://www.irishrugby.ie/6855_4574.php |date=20 November 2007 }} In 2006 Bowe won his first Celtic League title for Ulster.

On 25 January 2008 he confirmed that he would leave Ulster at the end of the 2008 Celtic League season, to join the Ospreys on a two-year deal. In his first season with the Welsh club, he scored a club-record four European Cup tries in a match against Treviso,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7759644.stm|title=Ospreys 68–8 Benetton Treviso|date=6 December 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 June 2009}} as well as becoming the leading Magners League try-scorer, having scored the most tries in the league's history. In 2008, he won both the Ulster and Ireland Player of the Year awards.[http://www.lions-tour.com/the_lions/profile.asp?id=62] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425092328/http://www.lions-tour.com/the_lions/profile.asp?id=62 |date=25 April 2009 }} In December 2009 it was announced that Bowe had signed a 3-year extension with the Ospreys.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8432378.stm|title=Tommy Bowe ignored Irish pressure to sign Ospreys deal|publisher=BBC News|access-date=16 February 2016}}

He 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 instrumental in the province's league season, helping them to the Pro12 Final.{{cite web |title=Ulster ease past Scarlets and into Pro12 final |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-30594031.html |website=Irish Examiner |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=17 April 2023}}

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.{{cite web |title=Ireland's defeat of Japan doesn't paint the whole picture |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2005/06/16/general/irelands-defeat-of-japan-doesnt-paint-the-whole-picture/ |website=The Japan Times |date=16 June 2005 |access-date=17 April 2023}}

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 went on to score a try in that game. After Ireland's poor first half against France in the following Championship match, Bowe was axed from the squad – prompting allegations of him being made a scapegoat by Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/sixnations/2008/0222/bowe.html|title=Bowe has a point to prove|date=22 February 2008|publisher=RTÉ Sport|access-date=19 June 2009}}

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. Bowe earned himself a place in Ireland's original 2008 Six Nations squad after a very good season with Ulster.{{cite web |title=Ireland Six Nations Squad Is Announced |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2008/01/15/ireland-six-nations-squad-is-announced/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=17 April 2023}}

He was overlooked for the Ireland match day squad to play Italy in the tournament's opening game, however, despite his form. He was again excluded from the squad the following week when Ireland were narrowly defeated by France in Paris, 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{{cite web |title=Six Nations Audio: Tommy Bowe And Eoin Reddan |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2008/03/10/six-nations-audio-tommy-bowe-and-eoin-reddan/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=17 April 2023}}{{cite news |title=Six Nations 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7294610.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 March 2008 |access-date=17 April 2023}}

With his good form for the Ospreys continuing in 2008 Bowe retained his right-wing position for Ireland during the Autumn internationals, scoring the team's only try against Argentina. Bowe was then selected on the wing for the 2009 Six Nations opener against France in Dublin. Bowe impressed as Ireland claimed their first win over France in six years with 30–21 triumph. Their next game was against Italy. Bowe scored a try as Ireland won 38–9.

After wins against England and Scotland, Ireland took on Wales with a Grand Slam at stake. Bowe scored a try and Ireland won their first Grand Slam for 61 years.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7954758.stm|title=2009 Six Nations|date=22 March 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 March 2009|first=Gareth|last=Roberts}}

In February 2010 against England in the 2010 Six Nations Championship, he scored two tries including the clinching try with five minutes remaining in a 20–16 win at Twickenham.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8537514.stm|title=England 16–20 Ireland |date=27 February 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 March 2010|first=James|last=Standley}} In March 2010, Bowe was voted 2010 Six Nations Player of the Championship, gaining over 50% of the vote.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/sixnations/2010/0325/bowet.html |title=Tommy Bowe named Player of the Six Nations |date=25 March 2010 |publisher=RTÉ Sport |access-date=23 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120184025/http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/sixnations/2010/0325/bowet.html |archive-date=20 January 2011 }}

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 US in Ireland's opening Pool C game. He was selected in the squad for the 2012 Six Nations Championship, during which he scored 5 tries in Ireland's first three games, including two each against Italy and France.

On 4 February 2017 Bowe came on for Keith Earls as a replacement in the 2017 Six Nations Championship against Scotland.

On 21 April 2009, Bowe was named as a member of the British & Irish Lions for the 2009 tour to South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://www.lionsrugby.com/7404.php |title=British & Irish Lions tour squad announced |date=21 April 2009 |work=British & Irish Lions |access-date=21 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424105603/http://www.lionsrugby.com/7404.php |archive-date=24 April 2009 }} He started in the first match 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 his selection 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 sporting media.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/5525902/Lions-2009-Tommy-Bowe-and-Ugo-Monye-take-Test-initiative.html|title=Tommy Bowe and Ugo Monye take Test initiative|date=13 June 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=19 June 2009|first=Ieuan|last=Evans}} 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 opportunities 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 Springboks. 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 third behind Wales' Jamie Roberts and England's Simon Shaw for the Player of the Series award.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8135320.stm|title=Roberts awarded top Lions honour |date=5 July 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 July 2009}}

In April 2013 he was selected as a member of the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia.{{cite news|author=Paul Rees|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/30/jonny-wilkinson-turns-down-lions|title=Jonny Wilkinson turned down Lions chance, says Warren Gatland|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London |date= 30 April 2013|access-date=30 April 2013}} While playing against the Queensland Reds, Bowe broke a bone in his hand, which threatened to end his Lions tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/lions-tour-2013/rugby/story/184753.html|title=Lions down fired up Reds|publisher=ESPN|access-date=10 June 2013}} He managed to recover from the injury in time to be included the starting fifteen in the last two tests against Australia, taking the place from Alex Cuthbert who had replaced him whilst he was injured, but was unable to score any points in the test series.

69 caps for Ireland.

5 caps for British & Irish Lions.

Correct as of 17 April 2023{{cite web |title=Career Figures |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/14655.html?class=1;template=results;type=player |publisher=ESPNscrum |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417183629/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/14655.html?class=1;template=results;type=player |url-status=dead }}

• IRUPA Young Player of the Year: 1 (2004){{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/3731535.stm|title=D'Arcy and Bowe win awards|publisher=BBC|date=20 May 2010|access-date=13 May 2010}}

• Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year Award: 1 (2005)
• Celtic League Team of the Year: 3 (2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10)
• IRUPA Players' Player of the Year: 2 (2008, 2010){{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/0513/bowet.html|title=Bowe wins IRUPA Players' Player of the Year|publisher=RTÉ|date=13 May 2010|access-date=13 May 2010}}
• WRPA Players' Player of the Year Award: 1 (2010)
• Celtic League Player of the Year: 1 (2009–10)
• RBS Player of the Championship: 1 (2010){{cite web |title=PLAYER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/player-of-the-championship/ |website=Six Nations Rugby |access-date=15 December 2020}}
• Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year: 1 (2010){{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/1108/bowet.html|title=Bowe named Rugby Writers Player of Year|date=8 November 2010|publisher=RTÉ Sport|access-date=8 November 2010}}

• Celtic League: 1 (2005–06)

• Celtic League: 2 (2009–10, 2011–12)

• Six Nations: 2 (2009, 2015)
• Grand Slam: 1 (2009)
• Triple Crown: 2 (2006, 2009)
• 2005 Ireland rugby union tour of Japan Series win 1

• Series winner: 1 (2013)

Bowe was guest chef in episode two of series seven of The Restaurant in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/therestaurant/2010/tommybowe/index.html |title=RTÉ Television – The Restaurant |publisher=RTÉ |date=2015-07-29 |access-date=2015-09-26}} Bowe 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0528/1224271298088.html|title=Prospering outside the comfort zone|date=2010-05-28|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=23 March 2011}} Bowe was the focus of an RTÉ documentary Tommy Bowe's Bodycheck, which examined what it takes to be a top professional rugby player.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/features/2013/0219/368547-tommy-bowes-bodycheck/#idc-container|title=Tommy Bowe's Bodycheck|publisher=RTÉ|date=21 February 2013|access-date=2 May 2013}}

In 2014, Bowe added a clothing line XV kings to his earlier launched footwear brand Lloyd & Pryce.{{cite news|url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/tommy-bowe-xv-kings-range-popularity|work=evoke.ie|title=His teammates slag him, but Tommy Bowe's clothing range is a winner with the rugby heartthrobs!|date=20 February 2015}} He lent his name to the Tommy Bowe Challenge which was completed in both 2011 and 2012 to raise money for the Glaslough Harriers.[http://www.tommybowechallenge2012.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715162601/http://www.tommybowechallenge2012.com/ |date=15 July 2013 }}

In 2017, Bowe dipped his toe into television presenting becoming a co-presenter on BBC and RTE holiday program, Getaways.{{cite web |title=BBC One – Getaways – Tommy Bowe |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/TsjJ4ZdphGh3FsGfwfRj30/tommy-bowe |publisher=BBC |access-date=10 July 2021}} Then in 2018, Bowe was named as the presenter of Eir Sport's coverage of the Pro14 which started in August 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/guinness-pro14/bowe-ill-be-more-nervous-than-if-i-was-playing-37268973.html |title =Bowe – 'I'll be more nervous than if I was playing'|date=31 August 2018|work=Irish Independent|access-date=31 August 2018}}

Since August 2020 Bowe has been a host on Ireland AM, the morning television show of Virgin Media Television in Ireland.{{Cite web|url=https://m.independent.ie/entertainment/television/ireland-am-and-rugby-star-tommy-bowe-doing-live-tv-is-like-running-out-to-80000-people-39967266.html|title=Ireland AM and rugby star Tommy Bowe: 'Doing live TV is like running out to 80,000 people'|date=14 January 2021 }}

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 County Monaghan who runs her own practice. Bowe's sister, Hannah, is an Ireland hockey international, and his younger brother, David, is a rugby union footballer. The Bowe siblings' grandfather was awarded the Military Cross for war service with the British Army at the D-Day Normandy Landings in World War II.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/kevin-myers-what-the-english-have-as-they-showed-last-saturday-is-guts-but-it-is-often-witless-guts-26637392.html|title=Kevin Myers: What the English have, as they showed last Saturday, is guts. But it is often witless guts|date=3 March 2010|work=Irish Independent}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/world-cup/irish-news/tommy-bowe-ready-for-takeoff-26770099.html|title=Tommy Bowe: Ready for takeoff|date=10 September 2011|work=Irish Independent}}

Bowe married his fiancée, former Miss Wales Lucy Whitehouse, on 14 June 2015 at the Corran Resort and Spa in Carmarthenshire, Wales.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/tommy-bowe-2162063-Jun2015/?r_dir_d=1|title=Tommy Bowe got married (and posed for photos with people's mams)|date=15 June 2015 |publisher=The42.ie|access-date=16 February 2016}}{{cite news|url= http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/tommy-bowe-wedding-lucy-whitehouse-wales|work=evoke.ie|title=Rugby hero Tommy Bowe weds Lucy Whitehouse in romantic Welsh ceremony|date=15 June 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/tommy-bowe-wedding-reception|work=evoke.ie|title=A look inside rugby heartthrob Tommy Bowe's lavish Welsh wedding|date=15 June 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/tommy-bowe-shares-honeymoon-pics-from-exotic-private-island|work=evoke.ie|title=Tommy Bowe shares honeymoon pics from exotic private island|date=27 June 2015}} They have two children together.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717152551/http://www.ulsterrugby.com/rugby/ulster_first_team.php?player=4922&includeref=dynamic |date=17 July 2011 |title=Ulster Profile }}
• {{Webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20130130234936/http://www.ospreysrugby.com/rugby/fixtures/squad_seniors.php?player=85300&includeref=dynamic |date=30 January 2013 |title=Ospreys Profile }}
• {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604174523/http://www.irishrugby.ie/13394_13785.php?player=4922&includeref=dynamic |date=4 June 2009 |title=Ireland Profile }}
• [http://www.lionsrugby.com/6012.php?player=3176&includeref=dynamic Lions Profile]
• {{ESPNscrum|14655}}

{{British and Irish Lions 2009}}

{{Ireland 2011 Rugby World Cup squad}}

{{British and Irish Lions 2013}}

{{Ireland 2015 Rugby World Cup squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bowe, Tommy}}

Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of University of London Worldwide

Category:Alumni of the University of London

Category:Belfast Harlequins rugby union players

Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Ireland

Category:Broadcasters from County Monaghan

Category:Gaelic footballers who switched code

Category:Gaelic games players from County Monaghan

Category:Ireland international rugby union players

Category:Ireland Wolfhounds international rugby union players

Category:Irish rugby union players

Category:Ospreys (rugby union) players

Category:People educated at The Royal School, Armagh

Category:Queen's University RFC players

Category:Rugby union players from County Monaghan

Category:Rugby union wings

Category:Ulster Rugby players

Category:Virgin Media Television (Ireland) presenters

Category:2011 Rugby World Cup players

Category:2015 Rugby World Cup players