Fit again Tommy Bowe is unconvinced he is a contender for the Lions tour to Australia this summer despite his return to action with Ulster after knee surgery.

Bowe said: “I wouldn’t be that hopeful at all but I would obviously love it. It would be an amazing thing. I went on the last tour and it is one of those things. It is the pinnacle of your rugby career and it would be amazing to get picked to go again.”

The Ireland winger made history as the first player to score 50 tries in the Rabo 12 league in Friday night’s 34-18 victory over Connacht in Galway.

He added, “It is nice to get to that milestone and hopefully plenty more to come. Personally I’m just very happy with how I’ve come back from the injury, to be out for four months and then get myself back playing rugby again. We’ll see what happens.”

In other rugby news, Leinster moved within three points of Rabo 12 league leaders Ulster thanks to Sunday’s comprehensive 41-22 win away to Italian side Zebre when Ireland out-half Jonathon Sexton returned to the starting team after his recent injury problems.

Munster went down 30-24 to the Dragons in Wales in the Rabo 12 League on Friday night.

And Leinster have signed South African full-back Zane Kirchner on a two year deal which kicks-off next season.