With all Leinster eyes set on the URC final against the Bulls this Saturday, many will also be disappointed that it will be James Lowe’s final game in the blue jersey. While his contract silence was strange during and after the Six Nations, it was always assumed by fans that it was only a matter of time.
This week, Lowe took to social media to share an emotional farewell to the Dublin-based province, as well as to the Irish side. The New Zealand-born winger joined Leinster in 2017 and made his Ireland debut in 2020, when he had completed three years at the province to make him eligible for international selection.
What happened in the contract situation?
James Lowe signed a contract extension with Leinster in 2025. The deal was structured as a one-year deal with the IRFU and Leinster having the option to extend for a further year, which would bring him through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Lowe feels that he was given assurances that the year extension on the same financial terms was going to be signed, but in recent weeks that agreement was withdrawn and much lesser financial terms were offered to keep him in Ireland.
Lowe felt these terms were unacceptable and reports suggest that they could be half the amount he was previously earning. The winger had been disappointed with how negotiations had been handled, particularly the withdrawal of the one year extension.
Lowe was on a Player of National Interest (PONI) contract, meaning the IRFU were contributed a significant portion of his salary. In recent years, the IRFU have been trying to find a fairer funding balance between the provinces and in the old system Leinster were having a majority, if not all of their star salaries covered by the IRFU.
The IRFU have pledged the freed up resources will be distributed fairly amongst the provinces and a focus on pathways to professional rugby is the key. In the case of Lowe, Leinster were also unable to support and boost the monetary offer to Lowe.
What positives could come out of the situation?
For the IRFU, investment in pathways is something that should be a real focus, particularly outside of Dublin. The Dublin school’s system is almost self-funded by several top quality programmes in the private schools of the capital. Other areas have shown their ability to the national team this year with Stuart McCloskey and Robert Baloucoune offering great performances in the Six Nations, both having played in the club system in Ulster on their way to the top.
Mack Hansen and James Lowe on either wing for Ireland has seemed in recent years as a blocking of pathways for local players and the pairing of Tommy O’Brien and Baloucoune, showed the quality of winger that Ireland can produce. There are also players performing at the top of the provincial game. Zac Ward and Joshua Kenny have been showing incredible form this season and haven’t got into the Ireland squad, even with injuries to other senior players.
