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James Lowe is leaving Irish rugby and is heading for Japan
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll has revealed that an unnamed businessman tried to step in financially to stop James Lowe’s exit from Leinster.
The back-end of Leinster’s season has been overshadowed by the departure of British and Irish Lions wing Lowe after nearly a decade in Dublin. The New Zealand-born winger was visibly emotional after their URC final triumph at Croke Park last week.
Lowe’s exit was confirmed earlier this month, after weeks of speculation that he would not be extending his stay with the Irish province.
There have been claims that a deal was agreed for Lowe to stay for one more year, only for the Irish Rugby Football Union to go back on that option – instead offering reduced terms.
Former Ireland centre O’Driscoll has now revealed that an unnamed businessman tried to intervene by offering to fund Lowe’s one-year deal – although ultimately to no avail.
Speaking on Off the Ball this week, O’Driscoll said: “Ireland weren’t paying James Lowe’s salary, Leinster were. He wasn’t on a national contract, so there would have had to be something done, I’m sure, for them to come in.
“I won’t mention any names, but I had someone call me three weeks ago.
“A very successful businessman, saying, ‘I don’t want any credit, I don’t want my name associated with it, but we need to make sure that James Lowe stays in Ireland. I’m more than happy to try and make up the difference.’
“I believe that he wasn’t the only one that offered that, but unfortunately the horse had bolted at that stage.
“I did [relay it to Leinster]. I can’t really get into [what they said], you know. I can only tell you what happened from a me point of view.”
O’Driscoll added: “First of all, it just shows the popularity and the kind of generic understanding that James Lowe has been brilliant for Ireland. For coming in as a project player, he’s a firm fan favourite. He’s really taken it to heart.
“Okay, it’s not his national team, but it’s meant a hell of a lot to them, playing for Ireland.
“He’s had his family here, he’s set up his home here, and all of a sudden, that’s all done and he’s off to Japan. People felt that’s not right, that there’s still a big job he could do for Ireland in the World Cup next year.”
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