"There's no doubt he's a top end player," said Eddie O'Sullivan about James Lowe on RTÉ's Against The Head on Monday night.
Not for the first time since Lowe's arrival from New Zealand, O'Sullivan expressed misgivings about Leinster signing the winger.
Lowe may well end up playing by Ireland. He's one of the last players to qualify under the three-year residency rule.
For the moment, though, the former Ireland head coach is concerned about the effect Lowe's presence could have on the development of younger players in the Leinster squad.
"The question we had when he arrived is that there's somebody else going to pay a price for him being there.
"There is a young Leinster back going to lose out because James Lowe has come in. To me, it's a pity because they have produced great outside backs.
"Larmour has come out of that same stable. And there's some other young Leinster player not going to get an opportunity.
"I was critical at the start, I think he's delivered, I should expect him to deliver but he is actually taking up a slot."
"If we're talking about planning and strategising and building depth into the squads, then these academy players have to see an opportunity as well.
"We're telling them not to go abroad or they'll never see an Irish shirt again. You're giving them a Hobson's choice."
'There is a young Leinster back who is going to lose out because James Lowe has come in, which to me is a pity.' pic.twitter.com/KvTzPEquaN
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 19, 2018
