TOMMY BOWE CUT a dejected figure after he was replaced by Jonathan Sexton in the Lions’ 22-12 victory over the Queensland Reds today.
The Ulster wing had his right hand tightly wrapped up. And his body language told the tale of a man who knew he would not be able to complete his second Lions tour.
And that news was all but confirmed by Warren Gatland, who told ESPN :
“It doesn’t look too good at the moment with Tommy. It looks like he’s broken a bone in his hand and the doctors say he’ll probably need an operation.”
Asked if that meant the end of his hopes of facing Australia later this month, Gatland responded: “I would say so, you can deduct that from that.”
David Davies/PA Wire/Press Association Images
From an Irish perspective, Simon Zebo would be the obvious replacement. The Munster wing is due to play for Ireland tonight against the US Eagles, but may just be asked to sit out the Houston Test to make plans for a trip west to Australia.
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
*Lots of swear words* gutted for him :(
Poor fekker heart broken for him- no one of the 4 countries has the class to replace this man. Best wishes and a speedy return T Bowe!
Was a certain starter. Gutted for him.
FFS
I agree, Ah FFS!
If Ashton goes, I buy a Wallabies jersey!!
x2
x 3
X4
X5
At this rate they will be back to just being the British Lions. Not good!
They’re that anyway to most people outside of Ireland.
For the record that is the saddest photo Ive seen in a while . Bad luck Tommy Bowe
Awh man the irish are dropping like flies
Big pity! A shame :(
Nice profile picture
Zebo or visser
I’ll take the winger who can catch kick and defend as well as run out of those two
great if Zebo went , but is visser more Gatlands type
That injury requires plenty of rest & turkey subs on multi-grain
Terrible shame for him and for the Lions. Hope they call up Zebo, we could do with a few more Irish seeing as we lost 2 now.
Hard luck Tommy but that’s sport. Did well to make it back from injury to be fit to travel in the first place so good that he got some game time and showed the quality player he is. Looked great today especially when he moved into the centre. Be good to see him in there a little more for Ireland.
Sickened for him, hope he makes a speedy, full recovery. Would hope that Zebo gets the call.
Would like to see zebo out there, gutted for Bowe tho!
If Arseton goes over, I’m switching off ! Could not look at that obnoxious langer !
Cipriani or Henson for me will do fine
If you’re considering Henson you’d have to also considering Ross O’Carroll Kelly.
Well said Jennifer.
I love how many red thumbs Barry got when he was clearly just having some craic … I’m surprised Henson didn’t get the call when Healy went down, “he can play anywhere” is a phrase I’ve heard in Wales many a time.
It was just my poor attempt of a joke!
I thinks he going to arsenal this season anyway, so the jokes on us really.
Gutted for Tommy – picture says it all. And not long after Healy’s newd too. Hope Zebo gets the call now.
No thanks Zebo not up to it. Neither is visser.
so who then?
Pat if I were a betting man (and this is not my personal choice) but due to injuries mounting and the cover he provides at wing/full back (and 10 at a push), and if he’s not injured at the moment, Mike Brown.
Terrible news for tommy Bowe, he’s had shocking luck with injuries recently.
The curse of Irish injuries hasn’t gone away.
Alan Quinlan in the IT reckoned it was a generic trait that Irish players are smaller and so suffer more injuries in modern rugby. So basically the irish are genetic pussies and can’t hack it. It was the best excuse of the 6N
The genetic trait theory was put forward to explain the physical development differences between northern and Southern Hemisphere teams. Apparently, they develop to a physical peak at 19/20 while we reach a peak at 23/24. So they have stronger, younger and faster teams with more experience at a later stage. Lions tours have proved the point in the past…maybe this year can be different…maybe!
So two games into the Sky Sports/HSBC Lions rugby tour of a Australia and that’s two serious injuries to Irish players, with a likely impact on their involvement with their provinces at the start of next season.
After the last Lions tour France won the 6 Nations and two French clubs were in the HEC final. I’d expect the exact same next season. The sooner we end our involvement in this over hyped excuse for a UK national side, and focus on resting our key players with an eye on the World Cup, the better.
It would be very interesting to hear what the Irish members of your so called UK lions squad have to say about your comments however time….she escapes me…. The Lions is an honour….and for those Aussies who get a chance to compete against what is the cream of the Triple Crown countries. ..they are as proud as Messrs Healy Best Bowe O’Driscoll Murray Heaslip O’Connell O’Brien Kearney Sexton…..safe homeward travels Boys. ….roll on the next challenge Lions Lions Lions
In 2009 the majority of the squad were Irish. Only someone with a national inferiority complex with make a comment like yours. Thankfully, rugby has moved beyond the historically era you seem to be stuck in.
I have a national inferiority complex? Name me one other country in a team sport where representing your country isn’t seen as the pinnacle? For some reason in Ireland we feel our players need to be recognised by a joint entity with another country before they are thought to have reached to height of their achievements. That would be what I’d call a national inferiority complex.
And as for me being stuck in an historical era, nope, very much stuck in the modern era. One where the UK and Ireland are two different countries. Rugby on the other hand operates somewhere in the late 19th century with its national set up of one Irish side for the entire Island, and a Lions team representing the old UK touring three former colonies of the British empire.
Replace UK with France, Germany or anyone else and my feeling would be the exact same. I’m not being anti British as some lazy commentators would twist it, I simply want Irish rugby to set itself apart just like every other major rugby nation outside of Britain. Perhaps if we did we might have more than one Grand Slam in 60 years.
Talk coming out of the Lions camp that he’s going to have an operation tomorrow in Australia and isn’t necessarily out of the tour! Fingers crossed for him!
Tommy looks so deflated in those pics :( Rest up and get better dude!
Chris Ashton just saw is odds on favourite!
Seriously? The guy was a glaring liability for England during the 6N
Ashton 2 years ago? Yes. Ashton now? No way. But then again there are a few players in the squad on previous years performances who have been average this year. English coaches in charge of forwards (no real input) an defence (not a chance)
Tommy not going home yet, could be back in 2 weeks after op this morning.
Everyone will love to see an irish player go out there, like zebo but with the English coaches that are there it’s going to be Ashton!!!
Most Irish people. Few from elsewhere.
That’s crap