Former Lions star Tommy Bowe picks his Lions captain and bolter selection

Former Ireland star Tommy Bowe chatted to RugbyDump recently about the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

A tourist on the last trip to Australia, a series in which Bowe’s Lions emerged victorious 2 – 1 back in 2013, Bowe knows just what it takes to be successful on a Lions tour.

Recovering from a broken hand during a midweek match in the build-up to the Test Series, the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam winner underwent a miraculous surgery and recovery to be first for the final two tests of the series.

‘They’re the ones who have beaten us in the last two World Cups’ Tommy Bowe

Talking at yesterday’s Canterbury launch of the 2025 Lions jersey, Bowe was asked about who he felt would captain the side.

Focusing immediately on Leinster and Ireland captain Caelan Doris, the bookies favourite to lead the famous touring squad, Bowe said that backrow is front and centre for the role.

“I would imagine that Andy Farrell is going to be keeping a really close eye on him ( Doris),” Bowe said.

“Because Faz has been a part of Lions tours in the past, he knows what the pressure is that comes with being a captain in a Lions tour.

“It’s one thing being the captain of your Leinster and even Ireland, but the Lions is on a whole different spectrum. The level of interest, the level of media scrutiny and supporters’ scrutiny is so huge.

“Caelan Dorris is an absolutely phenomenal player, but he is very new to the captaincy and it’ll be interesting to see whether Andy Farrell feels that having the pressure of captaincy will bring out the best in him. Or maybe it might be better to bring somebody in who has a little bit more experience under their belt in what is going to be a massive test series.”

Away from the serious business of who will captain the side, Bowe was asked to pick a player who he felt could be a bolter for next year’s series.

After taking a brief moment of consideration, Bowe named an Irish breakthrough star as one to watch.

“Jamie Osborne’s an interesting one. I think he’s a player who, you know, is playing a fullback against South Africa in the summer. I didn’t see that coming, and he was absolutely incredible,” Bowe said.

“He’s been playing first centre as well, he’s a guy who’s just got huge versatility, h can play in so many different positions.

“When you go into a Lions tour, it’s all about guys who can play one week in the centre and then turn up on the wing the next week because you’ve got so many games in a short space of time.

“So many people get injured that having a Jamie Osborne could be a great shout as a vulture for the Lions.”