Head coach Andy Farrell says former Leinster wing James Lowe is unlikely to feature for Ireland while he is playing in Japan, but did not definitively rule out the possibility of him being selected for the 2027 World Cup.

Lowe, 34, left Leinster at the end of the season after a new deal could not be agreed with the Irish province and United Rugby Championship winners.

The New Zealand-born winger has been a key player for Farrell throughout his tenure, which has yielded two Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam in 2023, and the head coach admits he is “disappointed” that Lowe will be moving away from the set-up.

Lowe has been heavily-linked with a move to Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath to replace the outgoing South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe.

Aside from Johnny Sexton in his two-year stint with Racing 92, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)’s policy is to only select players who feature for one of the four provinces.

“You know that we’ve held the line with that for many, many years and whatever, but we’ll see how that plays out in the next 12 months,” Farrell said when asked about the IRFU’s policy on selecting players based overseas.

“I mean, if we don’t develop someone and bring someone through…I mean, push come to shove, we probably could have brought him out here. But is it the right thing to do to not develop someone and give people a chance?

“I think it’s the right thing to do, to have a look and give people a bit of space to be able to do that. We’ll see how that goes.”

Ireland are without injured wings Tommy O’Brien, Shayne Bolton and Mack Hansen, while Jacob Stockdale is an option on the left wing for Farrell.

In Lowe’s absence, the versatile Jamie Osborne has been handed the 11 jersey for Saturday’s opening Nations Championship game against Australia in Sydney (11:10 BST).

Ireland will also face Japan and New Zealand in July as preparations continue towards the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Farrell added that Lowe, who made his Ireland debut in 2020 after qualifying under the residency rule, is a “larger-than-life-character”.

He added that it is “not my role” to be involved in contract negotiations.

“He’s a brilliant player, but we all know sport and the ins and outs and the intricacies of all of that,” Farrell said about Lowe’s contact situation.

“They become complicated from time to time and sometimes it works out, most of the time it works out for us, fortunately.

“But this time, obviously it didn’t. I know that James is delighted with the contract that he got in the end and he’s on to a new venture.”

Farrell said that Lowe will be “thoroughly missed” but “we have to move on”.

“Somebody has to step up and take that mantle that James has done over the last number of years, superbly for Ireland.

“But at the same time, it’s the same every campaign, every year. Something happens that takes you by surprise a little bit, and I suppose it’s the same as us missing Caelan Doris on this tour, Ryan Baird on this tour, Paddy McCarthy, all of that.

“That’s just rugby and that’s just life and the stars didn’t align for whatever reason.

“I certainly wish him all the best. I have done. I thanked him for everything that he’s done for Irish rugby.”