Lowe’s not losing sight of bigger picture

JAMES Lowe has nailed down the Ireland left-wing berth, the No.11 shirt.

Chiming with the idea that when the Auckland-born whippet is unavailable, Andy Farrell’s go-to manoeuvre has been to move first-choice rightwinger Mack Hansen across to the left.

The Ireland coach would much rather ‘patch’ someone in on the far side rather than mess with the left-wing balance.

Consider this: Lowe has started 26 of the last 36 games since NewYear’s Day 2021, all of them on the left-wing with Mack Hansen filling in four times.

The remaining six games were shared one apiece by the now retired Andrew Conway and Keith Earls, Jacob Stockdale making three appearances and the currentlyinjured Jimmy O’Brien one.

Aside from the incumbent Lowe, Hansen, the injured O’Brien and Stockdale, there is only one other player still playing professional rugby in Ireland who has worn the No.11 shirt.

Take a bow Simon Zebo, who started all five 2017 Six Nations games there!

Clearly Farrell is loath to tinker with his back-three, Hugo Keenan and Lowe played all five RWC 2023 games and both 2024 Six Nations games.

Injured

Hansen played the last four RWC 2023 games and, currently injured, has been replaced by Calvin Nash for both the 2024 Six Nations games.

Then again, it is a role Lowe is revelling in, culminating in picking up the Man of the Match against Italy last Sunday.

“I love rugby and it’s my job, and I’m very fortunate, and I am part of two teams that are striving to get better every week, I’m very much enjoying my rugby at the moment even if it’s tough sometimes.

“As amazing as rugby is, it still takes away things. It takes you away from your family. I got home from France last week, three hours sleep and I was so grumpy at the world.

“My poor wife Arnica, man, she is blooming great...took it in her stride, as she always does, and she understands.

“Every now and then you do have to step back and appreciate what the game has given you and where it’s taken you. At the end of the day, I love rugby and I’m going to do it for as long as I can.”

Should Ireland lose Lowe for any reason during this Six Nations, it is a fair bet Hansen will move across and Nash continue on the right-wing.

Right now, Lowe ‘owns’ the No.11 shirt at both his club and adopted country, having brought his All Blacks/Maori skills to these shores, melded them with Leinster thoroughness, and improved his defence along the way.

Reads

There has also been the added extra of a siege-gun left foot which dovetailed nicely with right-footed Johnny Sexton in the past and is now deployed in similar fashion with Jack Crowley.

“I don’t know, I feel like things are falling into place pretty well, my body is feeling good, I’m getting minutes.

“Defensively, week-on-week, I’m getting good reads and picking off passes.

“I probably just want to get my hands on the ball more, I’m not going to lie, trying to find ways of getting into the game.

“I’m happy but obviously we’re only two rounds in. I can’t just stop now, I’ll pick apart my game and see where it could have made more of a difference individually and collectively and go from there, hopefully be able to get even better for Wales.”