James Lowe (rugby union)

For the rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, and rugby league and rugby union coach of the 2000s and 2010s, see James Lowes.

James Lowe

Lowe representing Ireland during the 2023 Six Nations Championship
Full name	James Francis Rawiri Lowe
Date of birth	(1992-07-08) 8 July 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	Nelson, New Zealand
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	101 kg (223 lb; 15 st 13 lb)
School	Nelson College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Fullback Current team Leinster Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2012–2017 Tasman 46 (100) 2014–2017 Chiefs 53 (125) 2017– Leinster 85 (305) Correct as of 4 February 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2014–2017 Māori All Blacks 6 (30) 2020– Ireland 37 (80) Correct as of 01 February 2025

James Francis Rawiri Lowe (born 8 July 1992) is a New Zealand born professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Leinster. Born in New Zealand, he switched to Ireland after qualifying on residency grounds. ^[1]

Early career

Born and raised in the city of Nelson on New Zealand's South Island, Lowe is of Māori and English descent and affiliates to the Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Te Rangi iwi. Lowe attended high school at Nelson College where in addition to playing rugby, he was a junior and senior schools athletics champion and also represented New Zealand Under-15s at basketball. After leaving high school, he began playing local club rugby with the Waimea Old Boys club. ^{[2] [3]}

Club career

New Zealand

Lowe debuted for his local province, the Tasman Mako, as a 20 year old in 2012, scoring 2 tries in 6 matches as the men from Nelson reached the Championship semi finals. He was firmly established as a regular in the side for Tasman during their Championship winning year in 2013. He contributed 6 tries in 11 appearances as the Mako narrowly saw off Hawke's Bay, 26–25 in the final to clinch promotion for the 2014 New Zealand domestic season.

He continued his excellent performances in the ITM Cup Premiership, playing all 12 of Tasman's games during the 2014 season as they reached the Premiership final before losing 36–32 to Taranaki in the final, with Lowe netting an impressive 8 tries during the campaign. 2015 was not so kind to him as injury forced him to miss the entire national provincial championship season, but he bounced back in 2016, playing 6 times and scoring 1 try as the Mako once again reached the Premiership final, before this time succumbing to local rivals, Canterbury, 43–27. ^[4]

Strong domestic performances during the 2012 and 2013 seasons saw Lowe land a Super Rugby contract with Hamilton-based franchise, the Chiefs, ahead of the 2014 Super Rugby season. He made his Super Rugby debut by coming on as a substitute in the Chiefs' first match of the season against the Crusaders in Christchurch. With the Chiefs leading 11–10, but the Crusaders on the attack, he scored an intercept try from within his own 22 to help inspire his side to an 18–10 victory. ^[5] In total he played 10 times and scored 2 tries in his first season in Hamilton as the defending champions were eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

2015 saw him return stronger from Tasman's excellent domestic campaign and he went on to start 12 games for the Chiefs, score 5 tries and also net himself 3 yellow cards. The Chiefs were once again eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2015, but went one step further in 2016, reaching the semi-finals before going down to New Zealand rivals and eventual winners, the Hurricanes. Lowe started 15 times and scored a career high 7 tries to firmly establish himself as a fans-favourite. ^{[3] [4]}

Leinster

On 6 March 2017, Lowe signed for Irish province Leinster in the Pro14 ahead of the 2017–18 season. Despite arriving late in the season due to commitments with Tasman, he quickly established himself as a fans' favourite scoring 10 tries and beating 41 defenders.^{[ citation needed ]} He scored a try in the quarter finals of the Champions cup, seeing off the reigning champions Saracens. Lowe achieved winners' medals in both the European Champions Cup and Pro14 in his first season. ^[6]

In June 2020, he signed a new three-year contract with Leinster covering the 2021–22 through 2022–23 seasons. ^[7] Lowe was selected in Leinster's defeat to La Rochelle in the 2023 European Rugby Champions Cup final. ^[8]

International career

Māori All Blacks

Lowe fends off Italian defender during Ireland's 2023 Six Nations contest against Italy.

Lowe represented New Zealand Schools in 2010 and was part of the successful side which defeated Australia. ^[9]

Of Māori descent, Lowe affiliates to the Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Te Rangi iwi. He gained selection for the Māori All Blacks in 2014 and 2016 with his debut coming in a 61–21 win against Japan in Kobe on 1 November 2014, he scored his side's eighth and final try in the 76th minute of the match and also played in the 20–18 victory over the same opposition in Tokyo the following week. Injury prevented him from appearing for the Māori in 2015, but he made the squad again for the 2016 tour, scoring 5 tries in 3 appearances against the United States, Munster and Harlequins. ^{[10] [11]} He played his final game for the Māori All Blacks on 17 June 2017 against the British & Irish Lions at Rotorua International Stadium. ^[12]

Ireland

Lowe became eligible to play for Ireland ^[13] in November 2020 due to the then 3-year residency rule. He made his Ireland debut on 13 November 2020 in a 32-9 victory over Wales in the Autumn Nations Cup, scoring a try in the final minute. ^[14] He was selected for the 2021 Six Nations ^[15] and started against Wales. In March 2023, Lowe was part of the Ireland Squad to win the Grand Slam, only the fourth time in history that Ireland had won. ^[16]

In November 2024, he was named in the 2024 World Rugby Dream Team of the Year. ^[17]

Career statistics

List of international tries

Number	Position	Points	Tries	Result	Opposition	Venue	Date	Ref.
1	Wing	5	1	Won	Wales	Aviva Stadium	13 November 2020	[18]
2	Wing	5	1	Won	Japan	Aviva Stadium	6 November 2021	[19]
3	Wing	5	1	Won	New Zealand	Aviva Stadium	13 November 2021	[20]
4–5	Wing	10	2	Won	Italy	Aviva Stadium	27 February 2022	[21]
6	Wing	5	1	Won	England	Twickenham	12 March 2022	[22]
7	Wing	5	1	Won	Wales	Millennium Stadium	4 February 2023	[23]
8	Wing	5	1	Won	France	Aviva Stadium	11 February 2023	[24]
9	Wing	5	1	Won	Scotland	Murrayfield Stadium	12 March 2023	[25]
10	Wing	5	1	Won	England	Aviva Stadium	19 August 2023	[26]
11	Wing	5	1	Won	Tonga	Stade de la Beaujoire	16 September 2023	[27]
12	Wing	5	1	Won	Scotland	Stade de France	7 October 2023	[28]
13	Wing	5	1	Won	Italy	Aviva Stadium	11 February 2024	[29]
14	Wing	5	1	Won	Wales	Aviva Stadium	24 February 2024	[30]
15–16	Wing	10	2	Won	England	Twickenham Stadium	9 March 2024	[31]

International analysis by opposition

Opposition	Played	Win	Loss	Draw	Tries	Points	Win %
Argentina	2	2	0	0	0	0	100%
Australia	1	1	0	0	0	0	100%
England	6	4	2	0	3	15	66.67%
France	3	2	1	0	1	5	66.67%
Italy	4	4	0	0	3	15	100%
Japan	1	1	0	0	1	5	100%
New Zealand	6	3	3	0	1	5	50%
Romania	1	1	0	0	0	0	100%
Scotland	5	5	0	0	3	15	100%
South Africa	3	1	1	0	0	0	66.67%
Tonga	1	1	0	0	1	5	100%
Wales	4	3	1	0	3	15	75%
Career	37	29	8	0	16	80	78.38%

as of 4 February 2025 ^{[update] [32] [33]}

Club summary

Year	Team	Played	Start	Sub	Tries	Cons	Pens	Drop	Points	Yel	Red
2014	Chiefs	10	6	4	2	0	0	0	10	1	0
2015	Chiefs	12	12	0	5	0	0	0	25	3	0
2016	Chiefs	15	15	0	7	0	0	0	35	0	0
2017	Chiefs	16	16	0	11	0	0	0	55	0	0
2017–18	Leinster	13	13	0	10	0	0	0	50	0	0
2018–19	Leinster	17	17	0	11	0	0	0	55	1	1
2019–20	Leinster	17	17	0	9	0	0	0	45	0	0
2020–21	Leinster	5	5	0	4	0	0	0	20	1	0
2021–22	Leinster	13	11	2	13	0	0	0	65	0	0
2022–23	Leinster	7	7	0	3	0	0	0	15	0	0
2023–24	Leinster	9	9	0	10	0	0	0	50	2	0
2024–25	Leinster	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
Career		138	132	6	86	0	0	0	430	8	1

as of 4 February 2025 ^{[update] [4] [34]}

Honours

Tasman

• 1× Mitre 10 Cup Championship: 2013

Leinster

• 4× Pro14: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
• 1× European Rugby Champions Cup: 2018

Individual

• 1× Pro14 Dream Team: 2018
• 1× European Rugby Champions Cup try scoring leader: 2022
• 2x Six Nations Team of the Championship: 2023, 2024
• 1x World Rugby Men's 15s Dream Team of the Year: 2024

Ireland

• 2× Six Nations Championship: 2023, 2024
• 1× Grand Slam: 2023
• 2× Triple Crown: 2022, 2023
• 4× Centenary Quaich: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• 2× Millennium Trophy: 2022, 2023

References

1. "These players have been recruited to play for Ireland. International sport shouldn't have a transfer market". Irish Independent. Dublin, Ireland. 18 November 2020.
2. "James Lowe Chiefs Player Profile". Chiefs Rugby. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
3. "James Lowe Tasman Mako Player Profile". Makos Rugby. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
4. "James Lowe itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". It's Rugby. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
5. "Chiefs win battle of attrition over Crusaders". allblacks.com. 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
6. "Leinster to sign Chiefs utility back James Lowe". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
7. "James Lowe confirms new Leinster contract is a three-year deal". The 42. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
8. Kitson, Robert (20 May 2023). "La Rochelle break Leinster hearts with epic comeback to win Champions Cup". The Observer. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
9. "2010 New Zealand Schools squad announced". All Blacks.com. 6 September 2010. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
10. "James Lowe". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
11. "Six new caps named in Maori All Blacks". RNZ News. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
12. "Maori All Blacks named for Lions clash". All Blacks.com. 15 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
13. "'It would be a fantastic honour for him' - Ireland qualification in sight for Lowe". The 42. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
14. "Ireland pile pressure on Pivac as Wales slip to sixth straight defeat". The 42. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
15. "Six Nations 2021 Ireland Squad". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
16. "Ferris: Current Irish team are the greatest ever". RTÉ.ie . 20 March 2023.
17. Heagney, Liam. "Seven Springboks make World Rugby men's 15s dream team of the year". RugbyPass. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
18. "Ireland see off Wales in fierce Autumn Nations Cup opener". Autumn Nations Series. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
19. Morrow, Michael (6 November 2021). "Ireland 60-5 Japan: Johnny Sexton scores 16 points on 100th cap as hosts blow Japan away". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
20. Morrow, Michael (13 November 2021). "Ireland 29-20 New Zealand: Brilliant Irish claim statement win over All Blacks". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
21. Eddison, Paul (27 February 2022). "LOWRY WITH DEBUT DOUBLE AS IRELAND DOWN ITALY". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
22. Bennett, Charlie (12 March 2022). "CONAN AND BEALHAM SEAL THRILLING IRELAND WIN". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
23. Bray, Jonny (4 February 2023). "RUTHLESS IRELAND SPOIL GATLAND'S COMEBACK IN BONUS-POINT WIN". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
24. Eddison, Paul (11 February 2023). "AWESOME IRELAND SEE OFF FRANCE IN EPIC BATTLE". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
25. Hart, Ben (12 March 2023). "IRELAND ON COURSE FOR GRAND SLAM AFTER BT MURRAYFIELD SUCCESS". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
26. "Ireland 29-10 England". Autumn Internationals. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
27. "IRE 59-16 TGA: Record-breaking Sexton sets up Ireland for statement win". World Rugby. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
28. "IRE 36-14 SCO: Ireland send Scotland home to set up All Blacks date in last eight". World Rugby. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
29. "Ireland 36-0 Italy". Six Nations Guide. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
30. "Ireland 31-7 Wales". Six Nations Guide. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
31. "England 23-22 Ireland". Six Nations Guide. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
32. "James Frances Rawiri Lowe". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
33. , ESPN Scrum, 14 March 2021
34. "JAMES LOWE". Leinster rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2024.

External links

• James Lowe at European Professional Club Rugby
• James Lowe at Irish Rugby Football Union
• James Lowe at ESPNscrum
• James Lowe at ItsRugby.co.uk
• NZ Rugby History player profile
• Leinster Rugby player profile