English influence and perspective paying dividends in Irish rugby

ames Lowe during a Leinster Rugby captain's run at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

World Rugby's decision to bump their player residency rule from three years up to five prompted the IRFU into a radical rethink after years scouring the globe for uncut gems that could fill a gap at tighthead or add some beef to the second row.

James Lowe will be the last in that long line of players drafted in from overseas with no familial links to Ireland but employed with a view to wearing a green jersey. The focus now in terms of deepening the talent pool is on the UK and those with Irish mammies and grannies.