Real reason for James Lowe quitting Ireland emerges as team-mate speaks out
The 33-year-old announced this week he would leave Irish rugby just a year out from the World Cup in Australia
James Lowe’s Ireland career is over(Image: Photo by Raj Chavda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
New claims from one of James Lowe’s former team-mates has revealed that the wing had a deal to stay in Ireland until next year’s World Cup withdrawn at the last minute, before being offered half the money.
Earlier this week, the 33-year-old confirmed he would leave Leinster at the end of the season, after weeks of speculation. A move to Japan is now expected, with any deal abroad set to end his Test career.
One year out from the World Cup in Australia, it’s a sorry end for the 45-cap wing.
On Tuesday, the New Zealand-born Lowe admitted in a statement that he wasn’t getting his “fairytale ending”.
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Former Ireland and Leinster hooker James Tracy appeared on Off The Ball this week, where he offered more detail on how Lowe ended up leaving Irish rugby.
“I think James Lowe is down about the James Lowe news, just as much as the rest of us,” said Tracy. “That’s the saddest part of it.
“You’ve got a guy who’s a game-breaker. We don’t really have anyone who his king of skillset in the country.
“He’s let go through the powers that be in the IRFU trying to pull a quick one and save a few quid, thinking he’ll hold on for the World Cup and they can get him for half the price that had been agreed with to roll over the contract.
“It’s a very disappointing ending to clearly what was not what most people wanted. Andy Farrell wanted him, Leinster wanted him, he wanted to stay.
“It’s an unusual scenario that I hope we don’t find ourselves in again.
“My understanding is he had a one-plus-one year contract on the table and was expecting a renewal. The contract was agreed until the World Cup on the deal he was on.
“In the dying hours, he was handed a letter to say his plus one was going to be terminated.
“Then a few days later, he was handed a new contract for half the money instead of renewing what was agreed on.
“They did have a right to exercise a termination. But if you’re going to terminate, terminate.
“Don’t come back with an offer of half (the money).”
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