BBC Rugby Union: Ulster and Ospreys Legend Tommy Bowe Tops URC All-Time Try Scorers List
The United Rugby Championship (URC), formerly known as the Celtic League, PRO12, and PRO14, has evolved significantly since its inception in 2001. As the premier professional rugby union competition in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa, the URC has witnessed the rise of numerous try-scoring legends over the years.
At the forefront of this illustrious group stands Ulster and Ospreys icon Tommy Bowe, who has emerged as the all-time top try scorer in URC history. With an impressive 67 tries to his name, Bowe’s tally is eight clear of fellow Ulster great Craig Gilroy, who crossed the line 59 times between 2010 and 2023.
Trailing closely behind are retired speedsters Tim Visser (Edinburgh) and DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow and Scarlets), both tied for third place with 58 tries each. Scarlets’ Steff Evans, 29, is on track to challenge Bowe’s record, having already dotted down 54 times.
“Gareth Davies of Scarlets recently became the second Welshman to reach the prestigious 50-try milestone, cementing his status as the scrum-half with the most tries in the tournament’s history.”
Another Ulsterman, Andrew Trimble, also features in the top 10 with 50 tries scored between 2005 and 2018.
- Tommy Bowe (Ulster and Ospreys) – 67 tries
- Craig Gilroy (Ulster) – 59 tries
- Tim Visser (Edinburgh) – 58 tries
- DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow and Scarlets) – 58 tries
- Steff Evans (Scarlets) – 54 tries
- Gareth Davies (Scarlets) – 50 tries
- Andrew Trimble (Ulster) – 50 tries
- Dave Kearney (Leinster) – 48 tries
- Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets, now with Crusaders) – 46 tries
- Tom James (Cardiff and Scarlets) – 45 tries
- Simon Zebo (Munster) – 45 tries
- Andrew Conway (Munster) – 44 tries
- Rhys Webb (Ospreys) – 42 tries
As the URC continues to captivate rugby union enthusiasts, the quest to dethrone Tommy Bowe as the league’s all-time top try scorer remains an intriguing narrative for the years to come.
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