Bernard Jackman believes Leinster and Irish rugby will be poorer for the loss of James Lowe next season.
The 33-year-old appears to be departing the URC champions this summer, after contract talks broke down this week, although his next destination remains unclear.
While official confirmation of his exit is yet to be made, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen all but confirmed the departure in the last week when he was twice asked about the winger's future, and suggested an announcement would be made when the player is ready.
"James will come out in terms of his own individual piece, so, it's not really right for me to comment on him at this moment in time, if that's OK," the Leinster coach said after Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final win against the Lions.
His Leinster departure will also have a significant impact on Ireland, one year out from a Rugby World Cup in Australia.
After the Guinness Six Nations, head coach Andy Farrell said he expected and hoped that Lowe, Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park would all extend their contracts.
And while Aki and Gibson-Park's contracts were sorted within days of the championship, Lowe’s negotiations rumbled on before eventually reaching a standstill.
🗣️ "My understanding is that James is very unhappy with how this has played out and how he was treated..."@bernardjackman gives his thoughts on the expected James Lowe departure
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"My understanding is Andy Farrell wanted him [to stay]," Jackman said on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"The two flight risks this year were Bundee and James Lowe. They were two high profile players off contract.
"Bundee got done quite quickly, post Six Nations that was done, and that was great. And then I think everybody hoped and assumed [Lowe would stay].
"It was only about three weeks ago when I heard he was leaving. I was like, how is that not being sorted? It's a loss for Ireland.
"My understanding is that James is very unhappy with how this played out and how he was treated. My understanding is he will tell all when the time is right. I don't think that's through a book or whatever, but I think he'll actually [talk], because he’s that kind of fella.
"He’s very popular in the dressing room, players were gutted he's leaving."
While the 33-year-old had been left out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against France in February, he was back in top form the following week when he was restored to the Ireland squad.
He also started the Round 3 meeting with England with some impressive touches, before a groin injury during the first half (above) ended his championship.
That injury kept him sidelined until mid-May, and while he did return to the Leinster side in the final round of the URC regular season, he was left out of the matchday squad for the Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux-Begles.
Lowe was back in the starting side for last week’s 59-10 win against the Lions in the URC quarterfinal on Saturday, and marked his 100th appearance for the province by scoring twice to become Leinster’s all-time record tryscorer, sparking chants of "one more year" from the Leinster supporters.
"I know people say he has lost a yard of pace – whatever - it hasn't stopped him scoring 71 tries for Leinster, breaking the record. And there's more to his game.
"I actually think, again, would he have been valuable in the matchday 23 against Bordeaux. I thought Leinster overplayed sometimes because they couldn't exit using his left foot. You saw it the other day, how important it is in that zone outside of 22.
"He's infectious, his energy. He's a bit of a character. The opposition hate him because he's in their face, and because of his link play with Gibson-Park around the breakdown.
"I think he's a more dangerous winger for Leinster than Rieko [Ioane] was, because Rieko's very much up and down, you know what I mean? Whereas Lowe has that kicking game and he has that ability to offload, stay on his feet, link with others," Jackman added.
Lowe (above), who joined Leinster from the Chiefs in New Zealand in 2017 and became Irish qualified in 2020, has won 45 caps since making his debut, while he also featured in two Tests on last summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.
Barring a U-turn in the IRFU’s selection policy, his international career is also set to end this summer, leaving Farrell without one of his most trusted stars heading to next year’s World Cup.
"It's not great for Irish rugby," Jackman said. "It's another little glimpse of that lack of alignment, where someone that Farrell wants can't be kept in the country.
"We haven't had many [departures], the last regretted loss was Johnny [Sexton] and he was allowed to play for Ireland. So in fairness, the IRFU have done a good job of getting the main players staying in the country. But I think we're going to be weaker for it.
"I know his age profile and all that stuff [is a factor], but Farrell has been able to get the best out of him. And the World Cup pre-season would have him in great shape.
"And also for Leinster next year, I think Leinster are weaker without him, for sure."
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