Miracle man Tommy Bowe will complete a remarkable recovery from injury when he lines up for the British & Irish Lions in today's second Test against Australia.
The Ireland winger's tour appeared to be over less than three weeks ago after he broke his hand during the 22-12 victory over Queensland Reds.
Initial medical opinion pointed to an early flight home, but Bowe has confounded logic and will run out at the Etihad Stadium wearing a hurling glove for added protection.
"I was pretty much told it was curtains when I hurt my hand," said Bowe. "On the side of the pitch, the doctor just said 'I'm sorry'. I went for X-rays and they all showed a spiral fracture down through the metacarpal. My family are all over here, and I just texted them all to say 'game over'. I thought that was it."
Lions doctor Eanna Falvey, though, rang Brisbane-based orthopaedic surgeon Dr Peter Rowan, and it proved a tour-changing moment for Bowe.
"Eanna called the surgeon who said he'd had rugby league guys coming back within three weeks, maximum, so that was the shining light, the opportunity that there might be a chance to stay on" he said.
"When I got back to the hotel it was a range of emotions – to go from the lows, thinking your tour is over so early into it, to thinking that you have a chance.
"I didn't know whether I would be back in time for the Test matches, but there was always that opportunity, and to get picked now is an even higher emotion."
Now that 29-year-old Bowe has a chance to play in the Test series, his game-breaking ability could prove significant if the Lions are to end their run of 16 years without success overseas.
"Today is a huge pressure match, but that is what you want to play in" he said.
"With these big games, come massive rewards.
