He believes that by hook or by crook Ireland are where they would have wanted to be when, as grand slam champions of Europe, they finished last autumn's series of Tests with a win over South Africa and a draw against Australia. All they have to do now, argues Bowe, is to regain their winning ways, starting with the first international at their spanking new Aviva Stadium tonight. "We're a side who want to be getting back to winning ways with the World Cup looming," said Bowe this week. "We want to get back to the style of play we had when we were beating the top teams in the world. We know what's at stake and we know they're on the back of a few losses so it's a great opportunity to get another good win against South Africa."
In fact Ireland has made a habit of beating South Africa recently. Once the Springboks brought an aura with them when they came north, but three successive defeats have changed all that and this time Ireland confront a Boks team which finished bottom of the Tri-Nations pile and which has left half its talent back home in the sick bay.
A fourth win would also set Ireland up nicely for Samoa in a week, followed by the All Blacks and finally Argentina. "The summer tour was obviously very disappointing but the players are well over that and we're looking forward to the next stage," says Bowe, one of those players who has flourished under Kidney's particularly gnomic style of leadership. After an on-off start to his Test career in the Eddie O'Sullivan era, the Osprey has been around whenever Kidney has really needed big performances.
