Ireland and Leinster wing James Lowe has confirmed his move to Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath, ending his time with the Dublin province.
The signing was reported by multiple outlets including the BBC and The Irish Times, confirming that the transfer is official rather than speculative.
Lowe, who qualifies for Ireland through residency and has been a key figure in both the Leinster and Ireland backlines in recent seasons, departs Leinster after a spell in which he became one of the most influential wide players in the United Rugby Championship and European rugby.
His move to Japan’s top-flight league follows a pattern of high-profile players heading to Japanese club rugby, where significant investment has attracted experienced international talent.
The departure of Lowe will be notable for Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, as the winger has been a regular fixture in the national squad. Players based outside of the Irish provinces are generally ineligible for Ireland selection under IRFU policy unless they have earned 30 or more caps, meaning Lowe’s availability for future international squads may be affected depending on his current cap tally.
Further details on the length or terms of Lowe’s contract with Suntory Sungoliath were not provided in the available reports.
Source: BBC.
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