Adopted Kiwis are very Irish now

London – New Zealanders James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park (right) have travelled a similar path to representing their adopted country Ireland, but they are very different characters.

They are both 28, play for Leinster and back in New Zealand they appeared for the Maori All Blacks.

Today, they will both don the green jersey and start in the Autumn Nations Cup game against Wales – for Lowe his first cap and for Gibson-Park his first start but third cap.

Lowe has been described by his fellow Irish squad members as great for the “craic” and as a “free spirit” by head coach Andy Farrell, who says Gibson-Park is a calmer figure.

This transfers itself onto the pitch where Lowe’s natural exuberance translates into crowd-pleasing performances and Gibson-Park is less noticeable but effective at creating opportunities and seeing openings.

Gibson-Park was the pathfi coming to Ireland in 2016 – qualifying for the national side last year under the three-year residency rule – and the scrumhalf played a key role in persuading Lowe to make the trip a year later.

Lowe came closest of the two to playing for the All Blacks – the wing’s sole opportunity ruined when a shoulder injury ruled him out of a Test against Samoa.

It says a lot about his determination and ability given he was bed-ridden as a youngster with rheumatoid arthritis – he still receives weekly injections and painkillers for the condition.

Lowe has become an established starter for Leinster whilst Gibson-Park is battling with Luke McGrath for the first-choice position.

The Kiwi is in the ascendancy and seemingly in the race to replace Conor Murray as firstchoice international when the time comes. –