Tommy Bowe set for Ulster return

[Robert Prosser]

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe is set to return to play for Ulster next season.
Although no contracts has yet been signed, it is understood that Bowe has agreed in principle to return to his native province.
The 27-year-old is set to leave Welsh club Ospreys with one year of his contract remaining and Munster were also believed to be in the running to secure his signature.
Bowe played for Ulster between 2003 and 2008, before departing for Wales.
The news that Bowe is likely to return to Ulster will provide a major boost to their hopes of becoming a major force in European rugby.
The British and Irish Lions player has become an established Ireland international and scored a try in last weekend's 23-21 defeat by Wales in Dublin.
Bowe has won a number of personal accolades in recent years, including being named the Player of the Championship in the 2010 Six Nations.
He was part of Ireland's Grand Slam winning team of 2009, scoring the decisive match-winning try against Wales to secure a clean sweep of victories.
Ulster recently announced that Northampton number eight Roger Wilson would also be returning to Ulster for next season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16924378

 

[Draggs]

He's no Simon Danielli.

 

[irelandfan123]

This is pointless we already have 3 class wingers
I would be gutted if it cuts down Gilroy's game time , he is the future and Trimble's been playing well too
Just don't see the need

 

[Feicarsinn]

This is pointless we already have 3 class wingers
I would be gutted if it cuts down Gilroy's game time , he is the future and Trimble's been playing well too
Just don't see the need

3 class wingers? Who?

Trimble is a good player, but hardly 'class.' Gilroy has the makings of a quality player, but isn't there yet. Who else is there?

 

[Robert Prosser]

To be fair Tommy is one of the best wingers in rugby and the best Ireland has to offer he wil no doubt be an asset for Ulster and may even help them push on nd challenge even more for honours.

 

[Jayatron]

This is pointless we already have 3 class wingers
I would be gutted if it cuts down Gilroy's game time , he is the future and Trimble's been playing well too
Just don't see the need

I'm glad you are not looking after Ulster's affairs. Tommy will be a great signing and will add so much to our great back line. You have to remember he can play centre as well as fullback! So much depth now. Imagine Trimble, Bowe and Gilroy as a back three!!

I should say though that I am so glad that he is not going to Munster!! I would have to disown him if he did.

 

[Jockstap]

They'll play him at 13 with Payne at Fullback, Ulster have the makings of an excellent team next year, especially with Wilson also returning.

 

[welshglory]

This could be the final jigsaw in the puzzle. Ulster will be even more of a force next year.

 

[Peat]

3 class wingers? Who?

Trimble is a good player, but hardly 'class.' Gilroy has the makings of a quality player, but isn't there yet. Who else is there?

If he's counting Danielli I'm gonna facepalm.

Although Trimble is class and you're wrong. Just putting that out there as an argument.

Gilroy will still get a fair bit of time, both Trimble and Bowe will be on central contracts - so we can drop one at a time and play Gilroy, and put him on the bench for HEC. Not too bad for him. Plus injury, plus international windows... it'll work out. This is the sort of depth that a squad looking to compete on two fronts needs.

9. Pienaar
10. Humphreys
11. Trimble
12. Wallace
13. Cave
14. Bowe
15. Payne

9. Marshall
10. Jackson
11. Whitten/Cochrane
12. Marshall
13. Spence
14. Gilroy
15. D'Arcy

Beginning to get there (if we gloss over 10 slightly)

They'll play him at 13 with Payne at Fullback, Ulster have the makings of an excellent team next year, especially with Wilson also returning.

They'd best do no such thing, Cave has been absolutely outstanding and I don't believe Bowe is a better outside centre.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Move to the correct sub-forum.

 

[irelandfan123]

I meant to say 2 sorry :S but still its just means one of our wingers is gunna lose game time , would not like to be in the coaches shoes if you had to pick the one to go

 

[Feicarsinn]

I meant to say 2 sorry :S but still its just means one of our wingers is gunna lose game time , would not like to be in the coaches shoes if you had to pick the one to go

You need at least five good back three players in my opinion if you're going to compete in Europe and domestically. With Bowe, Gilroy, Trimble, Payne and D'arcy you're getting there. I don't know if they'll lose all that much game time either. Bowe and Trimble at very least will be away with Ireland an awful lot of the time. Gilroy will still get match time, I wouldn't worry.

 

[welshglory]

you forgot Stefan Terblanche in that team

Terblanche is only on a short term deal for the this year because Payne is out injured. He'll probably retire or go to Japan after this season.

 

[Peat]

you forgot Stefan Terblanche in that team

What welshglory said. Although a lot of people are hoping he stays on as backs coach to continue his good work.

 

[ORothlain]

I've been waiting for this news since he announced he was leaving for Ospreys, to be honest. It will be awesome to have the Ulsterman back at Ulster!

Awwww...they look so happy together!

 

[ORothlain]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17274581
It's Official Today! Tommy Bowe signs 3 year Ulster Deal!

I am indebted to the staff, coaches, management, team-mates and fans of the Ospreys, for welcoming me so warmly and making my time here so special. That said, I am also delighted to be returning to Ulster, the province I grew up wanting to play for and where my family live. [Ulster director of rugby] David Humphreys was a mentor of mine in my early playing days and we have remained friends during my time at the Ospreys. His vision for Ulster is impressive, with Ulster-born players at the core of this vision.

 

[Peat]

Apparently Kaino rebuffed Toulouse as he wants to stay in NZ, so I think that one's gone - stick with Pedrie I guess, although the temptation to invest in a NIQ 10 will be strong (and wrong imo).

 

[Feicarsinn]

I's not as if Wannenburg is a bad option or anything though...

 

[SelimNiai]

This can only be good news for Ulster. I don't understand people saying "but we don't need him", you do, Bowe on his day is possibly one of NH's best wingers and will make a huge difference to any side he's playing for.

 

[ORothlain]

I don't understand people saying "but we don't need him", you do, Bowe on his day is possibly one of NH's best wingers and will make a huge difference to any side he's playing for.

Spot On!