It’s Hard To Argue With Joe Schmidt’s Reasoning For Picking Tommy Bowe

Joe Schmidt knows exactly what he’s at.

Tommy Bowe’s selection on this bench for Ireland this Friday against Wales surprised a few people, given the competition that is currently there for the coveted number 23 jersey.

In Andrew Trimble’s absence the likes of Craig Gilroy, Jared Payne, Andrew Conway and Tiernan O’Halloran were all fighting for a spot on the bench, but it’s the veteran Bowe who has gotten the nod.

Schmidt gave his reasoning at the team announcement for selection the Lions winger, and it’s hard to argue with him.

Tommy has trained really well. He’s trained the house down.

His last couple of games for Ulster have been incrementally improving. Some of the things we’ve asked of him, we’re seeing in what he’s doing.

It’s tough because Craig Gilroy has also been doing really well. So has Andrew Conway.

In the context of what we feel Wales will bring, Tommy is so strong in the air.

His experience as well, having played with a lot of these players in his time with the Ospreys, we just felt it was a good decision in this context.

Ireland fans will be hoping Bowe repays Schmidt’s trust in him this weekend and causes some serious problems for the Welsh off the bench.