Head coach Andy Farrell indicated that while former Leinster wing James Lowe is unlikely to join the Ireland squad while playing in Japan, he has not completely ruled out the possibility of his selection for the 2027 World Cup.

Lowe, 34, departed from Leinster after the 2025-26 season due to a failed contract renewal. He has been an integral part of Farrell's team, contributing to two Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam victory in 2023. Farrell expressed disappointment over Lowe's move away from the national setup.

Lowe is reportedly set to join Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, filling the gap left by departing South African wing Cheslin Kolbe. According to IRFU policy, only players from the four provinces are eligible for selection, except for Johnny Sexton, who played with Racing 92.

Farrell stated:

We've held the line with that for many, many years... but we'll see how that plays out in the next 12 months.

• He emphasized the importance of developing homegrown talent, suggesting Lowe's absence opens opportunities for others, like Jacob Stockdale and Jamie Osborne, who has been assigned the left-wing position for the upcoming Nations Championship match against Australia.

Reflecting on Lowe's impact, Farrell noted his "larger-than-life character" and acknowledged the complexities surrounding player contracts, wishing him well on his new venture.

Despite the challenges presented by injuries to Tommy O'Brien, Shayne Bolton, and Mack Hansen, Farrell remains optimistic about moving forward as the team prepares for upcoming fixtures against Japan and New Zealand.