James Lowe Bids Farewell to Leinster and Irish Rugby After Stellar Career
James Lowe has officially announced his departure from Leinster and Irish rugby at the conclusion of the season, emphasizing that "not everyone gets their fairytale ending." The 33-year-old winger, who joined Leinster in 2017, has made an indelible mark by scoring a club-record 71 tries in 101 appearances. Since qualifying for Ireland through residency, Lowe has represented the national team 45 times since his debut in 2020. He has played a crucial role in securing two Six Nations titles for Ireland under coach Andy Farrell and was part of the British and Irish Lions squad that triumphed over Australia last year. During his time with Leinster, Lowe has celebrated several achievements, including: Five United Rugby Championship titles The 2018 Champions Cup A final appearance in the URC final against the Bulls at Croke Park on 19 June. Although Farrell anticipated that both Lowe and center Bundee Aki would sign new contracts, Aki has committed to a new one-year deal with Connacht, while Lowe is reportedly linked with a move to Japan's Suntory Sungoliath, which may end his international career just a year before the Rugby World Cup in Australia. In a heartfelt statement, Lowe expressed his deep connection to Ireland, stating, "It's become so much more than a place of work. It's become our home." He thanked Irish Rugby for the opportunity to represent the country and acknowledged the emotional weight of his decision, saying, "A new chapter awaits us, and that doesn't make saying goodbye any easier."
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-06-09