'If you were a betting man you'd be pretty excited about seeing him play for Ireland'
Andy Farrell has spoken of his excitement about the impact that newly eligible James Lowe could make with Ireland. The 28-year-old New Zealander has this month qualified to represent his adopted country under the 36-month residency rule.
Lowe was part of the New Zealand Maori team that lost to the 2017 Lions in Rotorua but move to Leinster later that that year and has since gone on to score 33 tries in 49 matches, winning three PRO14 titles and a European Cup in the process.
Having recently trained with the Ireland squad in an unofficial capacity, Lowe was included in the 34-strong panel chosen by Farrell for the Autumn Nations Cup and the coach can’t wait to see whether the firepower winger can translate his provincial form to the international stage.
“I’m as keen as everyone to see how he goes at international level,” said Farrell. “It is a different level but we see the potential of what he shows in the PRO14 and how he fitted into life in Ireland in and around the PRO14 for Leinster.
“We will see whether that transfers or not into the international scene. I suppose if you were a betting man you’d be pretty excited about seeing him play and do well.”
A riveting attempt at publicly tidying up the Parisian mess https://t.co/4ZByPcccgh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 5, 2020
Lowe was one of three changes to the Ireland squad that Farrell announced on October 14 for the remaining two matches in the delayed Six Nations, the home win over Italy that was followed by last Saturday’s title-conceding defeat to France in Paris.
Billy Burns, another uncapped player, and the vastly experienced Keith Earls have been included at the expense of the broken-jawed Garry Ringrose, Jack Carty and Jack Conan for the series of Nations Cup games that begin on November 13 at home to Wales.
Ulster out-half Burns had originally been included in the squad last January when Farrell first started his tenure as Ireland coach and he now returns still seeking that debut cap. “Billy spent some time with us at the start of the Six Nations before we went into lockdown,” said Farrell.
“He never really got an opportunity but we were very impressed with what we saw of his skillset and his game understanding stuff in and around the team. He fitted in really well back then. At the start of us coming back after lockdown into the remaining games of the Six Nations he wasn’t fit.
“He had a calf problem and has been working away to get back fit. We watched his game the other night in Cardiff and we thought he deserved that opportunity to come back in and meet back up with the team.”
Farrell also had words of encouragement for Jacob Stockdale, Burns’ Ulster colleague, after his first-half error resulted in a try for France and the yellow carding of Caelan Doris. “Well, there is one thing for sure, I know what Jacob is and that’s a dangerous player.
“His form against Italy, everyone was raving about and there’s one or two things, he talked of the fundamentals of his game etc that he needed to pick up. But having said all that, the yardage that he picked up for us (carrying the ball) and the yardage that he picked up with his boot as well is something that we need to keep progressing with him.”
"I had never seen them in my life. This man pulls them out of his bag as if it is nothing. That bag was a bag of tricks"https://t.co/1ZFNIqZsif
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 4, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments