Bowe targeting Triple Crown

Tommy Bowe insists a Triple Crown would be a satisfactory return from the 2010 RBS 6 Nations a year after Ireland completed the Grand Slam.

The Irish host Scotland in their tournament climax at Croke Park on Saturday needing victory to complete their fifth Home union clean sweep in seven seasons.

France look destined to supplant them as Grand Slam champions when they meet England in Paris and can even afford to lose but retain the title thanks to their vastly superior points difference.

Bowe admits following up last season's heroics, when Ireland swept all before them and then supplied a record number of players to the Lions tour, was always going to be challenging.

The Ospreys winger, however, believes they can be content with a sixth runners-up spot this decade.

He said: 'After the success of last year when we won the Grand Slam and had so many players involved in the Lions, people were probably expecting us to have bit of a downer season.

'We were very disappointed with the loss against France but to come back from that in a season when people were expecting us to go downhill will be great.

'We'll come out of it well if we finish with a Triple Crown. Winning the Triple Crown would be an amazing achievement.

'They've come thick and fast over the last few years but it's still a great achievement.

'The title's obviously out of our grasp because even if France were to lose to England we're behind on points difference, but we'd take the Triple Crown.'

A hallmark of Ireland's championship has been their ruthlessness with the whitewash at their mercy.

They may not have generated as many try-scoring chances as previous years but have finished those that have appeared with aplomb, crossing nine times with only leaders France scoring more.

The wingers have led the assault, Bowe touching down twice and Keith Earls three times to become the tournament's top try-scorer heading into the final round.

He said: 'I'm not sure if we're creating more chances but we are being a lot more clinical. It's well known we have a backline of immense talent.

'We have a centre partnership in Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy that is renowned throughout the world.

'Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O'Gara are two quality outside-halves vying for the position and in the back three there is so much competition.

'Guys like myself and Keith are under pressure to perform in every match.

'We're both good finishers so if we get a sniff we like to think we'll finish chances off.'

Scotland arrive in Dublin knowing that defeat would condemn them to a wooden spoon finish - a demoralising outcome for a side that started the Six Nations with high hopes.

Andy Robinson's team have played well at times and should have beaten Italy and Wales, but Bowe warns there will be no kindness shown by Ireland as they seek to bid a triumphant farewell to Croke Park.

Bowe said: 'Scotland will be very difficult. Everyone knows what we've got to play for, but the Scots are fighting for pride.

'At the start of the campaign I thought they'd be a team to be reckoned with under Andy Robinson.

'Their provinces are going well in the Magners League so they might feel a bit disappointed at the way their Six Nations has unfolded.

'They'll be determined to finish on a high but so will we because we've had some very fond memories at Croke Park.

'We'll be very sad to see it go but we want to finish with a bang this weekend.

'When we first moved to Croke Park people probably thought we wouldn't be able to sell it out as many times as we have.

'People from GAA backgrounds have enjoyed the rugby and we've been able to deliver on the pitch, which is special for us.'