'No fairytale ending' as winger Lowe announces Ireland exit

'No fairytale ending' as winger Lowe announces Ireland exit / Photo: Paul Faith - AFP/File

SPORTS 09.06.2026

New Zealand-born winger James Lowe announced on Tuesday that he was leaving Ireland and Leinster amid rumours of an impending move to Japan.

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The 33-year-old, who won 45 caps for Ireland since arriving from his homeland in 2017, had been hoping for an Irish contract extension to take him through to next year's World Cup in Australia.

"Unfortunately, not everyone gets the fairytale ending," Lowe said on social media.

"This decision comes with a heavy heart."

The former New Zealand Maori international won the Six Nations with Ireland twice, including a Grand Slam in 2023.

Lowe, and his iconic long hair tied up in a bun, became a mainstay in the Ireland set-up after his Test debut in 2020.

Last July, he also played two Tests on the British and Irish Lions' successful tour of Australia.

His Ireland journey was not all plain-sailing, though.

Lowe's initial inclusion in Ireland squads was criticised as he was seen as a project player, alongside compatriots Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki, who all qualified for their new nation on residency grounds.

"All I wanted to do when I was a kid was play international rugby," former Chiefs back Lowe said.

"You trusted me and to represent you 45 times is the greatest rugby honour of my life. I never took it for granted.

"I understood the criticism that would follow, but I want you to know that every time I pulled on that jersey, it filled me with an immense amount of pride."

Lowe's final Leinster game is set to be Friday's United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls.

He has won the league title five times with the province, as well as and the 2018 Champions Cup.

He also played in four Champions Cup losing finals, but missed out on selection last month when Leinster lost to Bordeaux-Begles as he had only recently from injury.

He has been strongly linked with a move to Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo, to replace two-time World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe, who is returning home to join the Stormers next season.

"A new chapter awaits us," Lowe said.

"But that doesn't make saying goodbye any easier."

Leinster released a brief statement confirming Lowe's exit.

"With 71 tries in 101 appearances, he leaves as our record try-scorer and a true-blue legend," the Dublin-based club said.

"Let's give Lowey the send off he deserves at the URC Grand Final!"

N.Fischer--NZN