Farrell leaves World Cup door open for Japan-bound Lowe

The Ireland boss said he could have brought the departing Leinster legend down under.

Head Coach Andy Farrell. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

James Lowe’s next adventure might be in Japan, but Andy Farrell hasn’t completely shut the door on the outstanding winger playing in next year’s World Cup in Australia.

The soon-to-be 34-year-old was a shock exit from Leinster recently after being offered a reduced contract from the Irish heavyweights.

But the British and Irish Lions star was always to garner serious interest overseas. And so it proved to be with Japanese powerhouse Suntory throwing the kitchen sink at luring him to the League One side as a replacement for Cheslin Kolbe.

The extraordinary contract decision came despite Farrell wanting Lowe to stay in Ireland through to the World Cup.

Asked about the unusual events, Farrell didn’t shy away from the fact he wanted the winger to stay in Ireland but added that it was ultimately out his control.

“Well, I’m disappointed for us,” Farrell said. “He's a larger-than-life character and he's a brilliant player, but we all know sport and the ins and outs and the intricacies of all of that.

“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 onto a new venture.

“Hopefully, we'll see him back in Dublin now because at this moment in time, chatting to him, he sees his family coming back and settling down in Dublin.” 

With Lowe heading to Japan and Mack Hansen injured, the Irish back three has taken on a different dimension for Saturday’s Nations Championship fixture.

Hugo Keenan still remains, of course, at fullback, but the depth that once existed in the back three has taken a blow following Lowe’s departure.

Farrell said he technically could have still brought Lowe down under, but said the three-Test tour, which also includes Tests against Japan in Newcastle and the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland, provided a good chance to build some depth.

Asked specifically if there were any circumstances which could see Lowe picked for next year’s World Cup, Farrell said he wouldn’t definitively rule it out but added Ireland’s policy of picking from home had served them well and it wouldn’t likely change.

“Well, you know that we've held the line with that for many, many years and whatever, but you know, we'll see how that plays out in the next 12 months,” he said.

“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 try and 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, so we'll see how that goes.” 

While Lowe couldn’t convince everyone of earning a big deal offer to stay at Leinster, Farrell had no issues convincing Irish Rugby he was the right bet to continue coaching the national team after securing a deal through to the 2031 World Cup in the USA.

The incredible contract extension shocked many, but Farrell described staying on as a “no-brainer”.

“Very straightforward,” he said. “A compliment, massively.

“I suppose you saw the video there that we put out, all of that, like really proud and privileged to be asked. Absolute no-brainer for me. I've said that all along, delighted to get it done.

“It seems like a long time ago now and, yeah, the job doesn't change. It gives us a little bit more certainty as far as planning and stuff like that for the future, but the guts of the job, it doesn't change.” 

Farrell’s experience will likely be necessary for the change coming beyond next year’s World Cup, with Ireland’s squad one of the oldest in the top 10 nations in the world.

Farrell admitted “there’s always chats” with suitors trying to lure him away, but said he never considered wanting to coach elsewhere.

“There's always chats, but it's whether with those chats if there's an appetite to move them on. And there was no appetite to move them on anyway, so it was very easy,” he said.

Nor did Farrell believe he was at risk of losing his touch with the national side by taking the team through to a third World Cup.

“I wouldn't have took it in the first place if I didn't believe in myself to be able to [grow and evolve],” he said.