No 'fairytale ending' for Lowe as he confirms exit

James Lowe says "not everyone gets their fairytale ending" as he confirmed he will leave Leinster at the end of the season after nine years in Irish rugby.

Lowe, 33, joined Leinster in 2017 and has scored a club-record 71 tries in 101 appearances.

The New Zealand-born back has been a hugely influential figure for Ireland, earning 45 caps since his debut in 2020 after qualifying through World Rugby's old three-year residency rule.

He has helped Andy Farrell's side win two Six Nations titles, including the 2023 Grand Slam, and also represented the British and Irish Lions in last year's series win over Australia.

With Leinster, Lowe has won five United Rugby Championship/PRO 14 titles, the 2018 Champions Cup and is set to play his final game in the URC final against the Bulls at Croke Park on 19 June.

Before Ireland's Six Nations win over Scotland in March, which secured the Triple Crown, Farrell said he expected Lowe and centre Bundee Aki to sign new contracts.

But while Aki agreed a new one-year deal to stay with Connacht, Lowe is set to leave when his contract expires this summer and has been strongly linked with a move to Japan's Suntory Sungoliath.

Moving to Japan would halt his Ireland career a year out from the Rugby World Cup in Australia given the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s policy of not selecting players based outside of Ireland.

"I find it difficult to put into words what Ireland means to me," Lowe said in a statement.

"It's become so much more than a place of work. It's become our home. This country has not only shaped me, it has shaped my career, our family and given us friendship that we will have for the rest of our lives."

Lowe, who has scored 17 international tries, also referenced the criticism of him as a "project player" that accompanied his ascension to the Ireland squad.

"Leinster Rugby, you took a punt on me many moons ago and I think we both got more than we bargained for," he added.

"I didn't understand what representing this club meant, but now I get it.

"It's been some craic. The highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. It has been an honour to represent this club.

"Last but definitely not least, to Irish Rugby. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you. I can't put into words what this means.

"All I ever wanted to do when I was a kid was play international rugby. You trusted me, and to represent you 45 times is the greatest 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.

"Unfortunately, not everyone gets their fairytale ending. This decision comes with a heavy heart."

While Lowe's exit has been well signposted in recent weeks, this will still be difficult news for Irish rugby fans to digest.

With the 33-year-old reportedly set to move to Japan, his exit from the Irish system will be a significant blow for Andy Farrell, who committed his own future to Ireland until 2031 last week.

Lowe has been one of Farrell's key on-field lieutenants over the past six years, but has never been on a central IRFU contract.

He played every minute of Ireland's historic Test series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2022 and was ever-present during the Grand Slam triumph the following year, scoring tries against Wales, France and Scotland.

And while he may not be as quick as when he joined Leinster nearly a decade ago, he remains the kind of hardened Test player Ireland may miss in next year's World Cup.

While he may bow out of Leinster with another trophy under the Croke Park lights, that his Ireland swansong was an injury-hit appearance against England in this year's Six Nations seems ill-fitting for a player of his stature.