James Francis Rawiri Loweis a professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Leinster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
International career
Māori All Blacks
Lowe represented New Zealand Schools in 2010 and was part of the successful side which defeated Australia.
Of Māori descent, Lowe affiliates to the Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Te Rangi iwi. He gained selection for the Māori All Blacks in 2014 and 2016 with his debut coming in a 61–21 win against Japan in Kobe on 1 November 2014, he scored his side's eighth and final try in the 76th minute of the match and also played in the 20–18 victory over the same opposition in Tokyo the following week. Injury prevented him from appearing for the Māori in 2015, but he made the squad again for the 2016 tour, scoring 5 tries in 3 appearances against the United States, Munster and Harlequins. He played his final game for the Māori All Blacks on 17 June 2017 against the British & Irish Lions at Rotorua International Stadium.
Ireland
Lowe became eligible to play for Ireland in November 2020 due to the residency rule. He made his Ireland debut on 13 November 2020 in a 32-9 victory over Wales in the Autumn Nations Cup, scoring a try in the final minute. He was selected for the 2021 Six Nations and started against Wales. In March 2023, Lowe was part of the Ireland to win the Grand Slam, only the fourth time in history that Ireland had won.
