"James Lowe plays with an edge and wants to get into the opposition's face, and wind them up."
Having arrived into the 2025 Six Nations with just 80 minutes of senior rugby, this year, and some questioning his place in the team, James Lowe delivered against England, in a big way.
The Leinster winger came up with a hat-trick of try assists in Ireland's 27-22 win. He made 122 metres off 14 carries, had five line breaks, stuck all of his tackles, won some great aerial ball and came up with a big turnover. He finished with an 8/10 in our player ratings.
Lowe is the player always seeking to spark his side and make something happen. He came into the Ireland set-up as a man hungry for tries but with a tendency to not work hard enough on the defensive side of his game. He has worked tremendously hard on that, is now a solid defender, upped his work-rate around the breakdown and punishes teams with his thumping left boot.
For Ireland supporters, Lowe came up trumps when it really counted. For England fans, and pundits, they won't to see the 32-year-old again for a while.
Lowe got Ireland motoring, after a shaky start, when he fended off Alex Mitchell, out wide, then slipped in Jamison Gibson-Park for the opening try. In the second half, he assisted for Tadhg Beirne and Bundee Aki scores that helped put the match to bed.
In his match report, for The Sunday Times, Stephen Jones reckoned James Lowe was fortunate to escape a yellow card, from referee Ben O'Keeffe, for a ruck infringement. He stated:
The referee missed an offence at the bottom of the ruck which could easily have gained Lowe a yellow card and then Ireland struck to draw level [when Bundee Aki scored].
Jones was full of praise, though, for the winger's attacking game. "Ireland were way too experienced and tough, they had way more attacking ability from James Lowe and company," he wrote. "And as we expected, the Ireland versus France game is the one that will decide this tournament."
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Social media was flooded with England supporters cribbing about Lowe, especially after an incident that went against what O'Keeffe said. The New Zealander had warned captains Maro Itoje and Caelan Doris that the next person, from either side, that approached him to contest a call would be sin-binned.
Sure (and soon) enough, Lowe was protesting to O'Keeffe but the referee let his approach slide and kept his card in his pocket.
James Lowe had a hat-trick of try assists for Ireland, against England. (Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile)
Former England prop calls out James Lowe
During Ireland's five point win over England, James Lowe got into it with the opposition players on more than one occasion. It wound up sections of the away support, and England fans watching at home. One of those included 116-times capped England prop, Dan Cole.
During For The Love Of Rugby, Cole and former England teammate Ben Youngs looked back on that game in Dublin. Cole, who has also lined out for Leicester and the Lions, gave his take on Lowe's vocality.
Sparked by the following question - Is James Lowe one of the most annoying players to play against, or would you love to have him on your team? - Cole commented:
He's just a competitor, isn't he really? He's one of those players that, 20 years ago, he would have been punched in the face, in every match, and then he probably wouldn't be as annoying.
"You look at him the game today and he's just a competitor. He wants to win the game. I don't find him annoying, as such. He plays with an edge and wants to get into the opposition's face and wind them up. I think the game needs those kind of players. Well, it doesn't need those type of players but it is better for it. He's competitive and he can do what he wants, as long as it is within the laws."
Youngs compared Lowe to his former England teammate, Chris Ashton. "Can often give it out, but you want a guy like that on your team."
Say what you will about Lowe's on-field persona, he proved, once again, that he is a Test match animal and thrives on the big nights. Other options in Simon Easterby's squad, for the left wing, include Jimmy O'Brien and Jamie Osborne but expect Lowe to be in that 11 jersey for next weekend's game against Scotland.
