Lowe tipped for Ireland cap
James Lowe could become the next Kiwi to play test rugby for Ireland after agreeing a new threeyear deal with Leinster.
The former Chiefs and Tasman Mako wing joined Leinster in 2017 and qualifies to play for Ireland in November under World Rugby’s former three-year residency rule.
Lowe, who returned to New Zealand in March during the Covid19 pandemic shutdown, confirmed his decision to stay with Leinster when he tweeted: ‘‘Excited to be staying in Dublin for another three years!’’
The Irish Independent newspaper stated: ‘‘It is thought the 27-year-old will be part of Ireland boss Andy Farrell’s immediate plans as the rugby season prepares for a return to action’’.
Lowe has scored 27 tries in 43 starts for Leinster, and has helped them win two consecutive PRO14 league titles and the 2018 European Champions Cup.
A former Nelson College athletics champion and a New Zealand under-15 basketball representative, Lowe scored 20 tries in 46 matches for the Tasman Mako between 2012 and 2017 and 26 tries in 53 matches for the Chiefs.
He made six appearances for New Zealand Ma¯ori before moving to Ireland.
Once the former New Zealand Ma¯ori international qualifies to play for Ireland, Lowe will no longer be subject to the rule which restricts Irish clubs to two imports in a match-day squad.
Lowe started on the left wing in Leinster’s back-to-back PRO14 grand final victories, scoring a try in a 40-32 win over Scarlets in 2018 and helping beat the Glasgow Warriors – coached by his former Chiefs mentor Dave Rennie – at Glasgow’s Celtic Park in 2019.
He wasn’t in the matchday squad for Leinster’s 15-12 2018 European Champions Cup win over French club Racing 92 in Bilbao, but was on the left wing in the Irish