The future of Ireland and Leinster wing James Lowe remains uncertain after his record-breaking night against the Lions.
The 33-year-old’s contract will expire at the end of the season and there has not been any sign of a new deal.
Lowe scored his 70th and 71st tries on his 100th Leinster appearance against the Lions in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals on Saturday to take him clear of Shane Horgan’s long-standing try record.
Speaking to reporters after the 59-10 win, which booked a semi-final spot against the Stormers, head coach Leo Cullen declined to provide an update on Lowe’s future.
“Listen, 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,” said Cullen, who stated pre-match that “conversations are always ongoing” but added that “some people will move on”.
Since arriving in Ireland in 2017 from the Chiefs in his native New Zealand, Lowe has established himself as a key player for the Irish province and on the international stage.
If Lowe was to leave Leinster and move outside of Ireland then it would end his chances of being selected by head coach Andy Farrell for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
He made his Ireland debut in 2020 after qualifying through residency and has scored 17 tries in 45 international caps as he played a key role in the Six Nations titles in 2023 and 2024.
Lowe also represented the British and Irish Lions last summer in the series win over Australia.
Before Ireland’s Six Nations win over Scotland in March, which secured the triple Crown, Farrell said he expected both Lowe and centre Bundee Aki to sign new contracts.
Aki has agreed a new one-year deal to stay with Connacht but there has not been any progress with Lowe, who is contracted by Leinster rather than an central contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU].
Lowe did not make the squad for the Champions Cup final defeat by Bordeaux despite having returned from a hamstring injury sustained in the Six Nations win over England.
However, his two record-breaking tries on Saturday show he is still a threat when fit and available.
While Cullen declined to comment on his future, he did praise the impact Lowe has made since he moved to Ireland nine years ago.
“He’s been a great character in the group. Very, very different, you know, what he brings, great energy,” Cullen said after the game.
“Internally, we had a video there just in terms of some of the stuff that he’s done in a Leinster jersey over his career.
“There’s not many James Lowes running around the streets that we’ve come across so far. He’s been a great addition to the group over the years.”