Tommy Bowe insists Ireland’s Lions contingent is desperate to avenge the agonising Test series defeat by South Africa at Croke Park and says he knows the Springboks are “very worried” about the match.

The Grand Slam winners conclude the autumn campaign tomorrow with what has been billed as ‘battle of the hemispheres’. The contest has been given an extra dimension by events this summer which saw 10 Irishmen capped by the Lions.

All but one of them - the injured Luke Fitzgerald - will be involved tomorrow with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers earlier this week describing the Lions as “the Irish team camouflaged in red jerseys”.

South Africa edged an epic series 2-1 and Bowe, who started all three Tests, admits the heartache of losing will drive Ireland on tomorrow.

“I really enjoyed the summer with the Lions. It’s a rare opportunity to get as a player,” said the Ospreys winger. “There’s a big feeling of loss after leaving behind the Test series - there’s huge disappointment there.

“This is a chance for us to get our own back so it’s up to us to put in a big performance.

“The match has been billed as the best of the northern against the best of the southern hemisphere and has been built up over the last couple of weeks.

“For us to finish our season unbeaten will be huge. I’ve no doubt South Africa are very worried about this Test.

“The Australians and a lot of the southern hemisphere teams coming here said that we are the team they want to play against.”

Ireland began their autumn series by drawing 20-20 with Australia and went on to blow away any lingering cobwebs by thumping an under-strength Fiji 41-6.

South Africa’s first visit to Croke Park begins a day of fixtures that could see the northern hemisphere end November on level terms with the Tri-Nations giants.

Wales host Australia and France face the All Blacks - two very winnable games for Six Nations rivals with positive results leaving the total at five wins apiece with one draw.

But more importantly than striking a blow for European rugby, victory over the Springboks would confirm Ireland as a genuine force on the world stage.

Their swashbuckling display in the second half against Australia proved once again they are no longer in awe of the Tri-Nations heavyweights and Bowe insists the Irish backs are ready to cut loose.

“The fact we had so many players on the Lions tour shows the talent we have collectively and individually,” he said. “When this back line plays together we’ve shown what we can do. I love playing with these guys.

“If we get some good ball we’re full of confidence that we can tear any back line apart.

“We were slow getting into the swing of things early on against Australia.

“But as the game went on the cohesion came back into it and things started to gel.”

Much will depend on new fly-half Jonathan Sexton, who will be winning his second cap after producing a headline performance against Fiji.

Retaining the 24-year-old from Leinster against the world champions and leaving Ronan O’Gara on the bench is a bold selection that reflects well on coach Declan Kidney.

O’Gara will be 34 when the 2011 World Cup arrives so the logic of experimenting with a genuine alternative to the veteran Lions half-back is undeniable.

“Jonny will have no problem. He showed at the weekend that he has a very calm head,” said Bowe. “To step into an international match and play the way he did is credit to him. I expect he’ll do the same against South Africa.

“He likes to move the ball about so hopefully I’ll be on the end of some of those passes.”