Tommy Bowe

Tommy Bowe was a prolific Ireland winger who was the leading try scorer on the British & Irish Lions' successful 2013 tour of Australia.

Thomas John Bowe was born on 22 February 1984 in Emyvale, County Monaghan, Ireland, and attended the Royal School, Armagh, before playing club rugby for Queen's University and Belfast Harlequins while studying at the University of Ulster. He signed with Ulster in 2003, developing into one of the most reliable and prolific finishers in Irish rugby history. Bowe made his Ireland debut in 2004 and became renowned for his aerial ability and clinical finishing, particularly excelling in high-pressure knockout and international rugby. He moved to Wales's Ospreys in 2008, winning domestic honours before returning to Ulster in 2012. Bowe was selected for the British and Irish Lions in both 2009 and 2013, delivering standout performances on the successful 2013 tour of Australia and being named in the Test team for the series-clinching third match. He earned dozens of caps for Ireland across a 13-year international career, becoming one of the country's most consistent attacking wings. Bowe retired in 2018 after a career spent across Ulster, the Ospreys, and Ireland, and has since remained connected to the sport as a respected pundit and broadcaster, drawing on a career defined by durability and reliable finishing at the highest level.

Bowe was known for his pace, finishing ability, and strong aerial skills under the high ball. He combined excellent positional sense with powerful running, making him deadly in one-on-one situations and particularly effective at scoring tries in the corner.

Bowe's consistent try-scoring record and performances on Lions tours established him as one of the premier wingers of his generation in Northern Hemisphere rugby.

• Six Nations titles with Ireland
• Lions series win 2013 (top try scorer)

Club Career

Club	Period	Apps	Tries	Shirt
Ulster	2008–2012	44	25	#11
Ospreys	2004–2008	168	25	#11
Ireland	—	69	30	—