Bowe targets five points
Tommy Bowe is predicting another points fest when the Ospreys head to the south of France to battle with Biarritz as both clubs strive to stay in European competition.
The Frenchmen need to pick up five points to stand any chance of toppling English champions Saracens in the race for top spot in the pool – and Saracens need one point to clinch top spot – while the Ospreys need a full set to stand a chance of making the Amlin Challenge Cup last eight.
And there is also the not insignificant matter of pride for the Welsh region following their agonising Heineken Cup quarterfinal defeat in San Sebastian two years ago when they went down 29-28 in one of the most thrilling games in recent history.
“It was an expansive game in glorious weather and we were all blowing a bit,” said the Irish international wing.
“It was a game that was there for the taking and it came down to a missed kick in the end.
“We were bitterly disappointed not to win and it was a missed opportunity,” he added. “Now we need to go into our final Pool game looking to get another five points to stand any chance of staying in Europe.”
The six try, 44-17 home win over Benetton Treviso was the perfect boost ahead of their foreign assignment in Round Six and it was a game that saw Bowe take his Heineken Cup try tally to 22. It also saw the Ospreys pick up their first try bonus point in all competitions this season.
“We are trying something different and trying to put more width on the game,” he said.
“We needed a bonus point against Treviso and we need another five points this weekend to stand any chance of staying in Europe.
“We tried to get the ball into the hands of our ball players and get the runners working off them. It worked well against Treviso and we should have scored even more tries.
“I was pleased to score, but disappointed I didn’t get a second when I crossed the line. But I’m feeling good and I have got no worries with the hamstring.”
That’s just as well because the Ospreys wings will have to deal with the threat of the fastest man in world rugby in Biarritz flyer, Taku Ngwenya.
The Zimbabwe-born American international scored a magnificent 80-metre try in the quarterfinal clash in 2010 and ran almost as far in Round Two to score against Saracens.
“We all know he is lightening quick and the key is not to find yourself exposed in a one-on-one situation,” added Bowe.
“I came up against him in the World Cup and know how difficult an opponent he can be.”
As for Bowe, he is looking to maintain his try-scoring record and to edge ever nearer the ERC Elite Award target of 25 Heineken Cup touchdowns.
He is one of six Irishmen with 20 plus Heineken Cup tries and needs one more to join the top 10 tournament try-scorers.
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