Positioned against one of the posts at Croke Park’s Hill 16 end is James Lowe, a vital member of the Leinster team. As balls fly over and around him from his team-mates kick-off, he stands his ground. Nearby, the Champions Cup trophy, bedecked with fluttering ribbons, resides on a lofty plinth at the midway point of the pitch, a symbol of glory that every Leinster player must walk past on their way onto the pitch from the Hogan Stand.
Not far from this significant trophy, the president of GAA, Jarlath Burns, interacts with the surrounding spectators. Like a caring host, he entertains attendees with cheerful smiles and photos, ensuring their comfort as they take in the picturesque view of the pitch.
Undetected, Declan Darcy manages to sneak by. As a player from Dublin and Leitrim, and currently operating as a performance coach for the Leinster Rugby team, he is likely the only one who feels a sense of familiarity with the daunting architectural design of the steep terraced seating and enclosing stands.
Lowe’s reaction is an infectious chuckle, a characteristic that effortlessly eases tension around him. However, this jovial nature does not detract from his serious commitment to the game, nor does it diminish his central involvement in Leinster’s forthcoming fixture against Northampton on Saturday. Expectations are high for Lowe, who is known for hitting rucks, eliminating opponents, executing defensive tackles and scoring tries with precision, as he did during the quarter-final against La Rochelle.
Furthermore, Lowe appreciates the historical and emotional imprint Croke Park carries for the Irish, transcending its physical role as a mere stretch of green on Jones’ Road. He acknowledges its deep-rooted past including the country’s turbulent history. Being a New Zealand native, he admits there is no equivalent place in his homeland.
“There wouldn’t be anything with this sort of historical significance back home,” Lowe admits. “The history of what Croke Park means to the Irish nation is well-understood. I’d bet every child across Ireland aspires to represent their provinces and counties here someday.”
“Ireland has become a true home to me over time,” he continues. “I’ve had the pleasure of attending quite a few football matches here. Now, having the rare opportunity to participate in only the second club rugby match ever played here, is really extraordinary and an honor. I can anticipate tomorrow being a remarkable day. To state the least, I am incredibly mindful of the historic events that transpired here.”
Lowe is well aware, something he was informed by Darcy, of the amplified intensity of Croke Park. It’s a stage that dramatically scales up performances: they can be soul-shattering if poor and exhilarating if excellent.
Leinster’s most recent Champions Cup accomplishment was six years prior at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Although not an active player in the final match against Racing 92, Lowe showed a champion’s gaiety and commended the win, undeterred by his absence on the field.
There was an air of persistent success around Leinster; it seemed they were destined to make regular appearances in the Champions Cup finals with subsequent victories on the cards.
Indeed, they made it to the finals regularly. Experiences with Saracens the next year and two encounters with La Rochelle in 2022 and 2023 were frequent. However, repeated losses replaced triumphant moments, crafting an undesirable narrative for Leinster.
Lowe himself, despite appearing in three finals, tasted defeat each time. Prior to an encounter against Leicester Tigers last month, Lowe deemed this series of losses an “unpalatable statistic”.
These highs and lows are now ingredients of motivation to overcome Northampton. Winning against them would provide the players an opportunity to confront their anxieties of repeated losses.
Lowe reminisces the victorious day in Bilbao, “That was a stellar day,” he says. “We were savouring the win early in the morning, not indulging in pastries.
“I’ll admit I may have taken it lightly. I wasn’t part of that match in Bilbao, but the lead-up and the boys’ stunning performance on the day are imprinted on my memory.
“We’ve been striving ever since to replicate that success. Yes, it’s an unhealthy fixation. The repeated heartbreak has been harsh. But we’re relentless in our pursuit, and hopefully… we won’t stop knocking until the door finally opens.”
The nominations for the Investec Player of the Year include Lowe, Dan Sheehan, Caelan Doris and Jamison Gibson-Park, in addition to two nominees from Northampton – Courtney Lawes and Fin Smith. The finalists are rounded out by Antoine Dupont and Marcus Smith.
Lowe, responsible for a pair of tries and assists against La Rochelle, was noted for his strong attributes and experience by his coach, Leo Cullen. He cited Lowe’s deep understanding of the rugby game, his rugby IP, and even his significant playing history being under the mentorship of Andrew Goodman. Goodman, set to transition from Leinster to Ireland as a backs coach until 2027, was also Lowe’s school coach.
Not only Goodman, but Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith, both successful coaches from New Zealand, were part of the coaching group during Lowe’s time with the Chiefs. Cullen highlighted these differences in Lowe’s playing perspective that mark him as a preferable pick for overseas recruitments. The attributes we highlighting include his game skills, strength, strong left boot, and attacking instincts. Cullen even suggested Lowe could rank among the top attacking players of the northern hemisphere.
Despite the adoration, Lowe remains humble and aware of the unpredictable nature of the game, which was particularly evident in their narrow defeats to La Rochelle, ending in a mere three-point difference.
Lowe notes that the outcome of those two finals could have been vastly different if a few decisions had gone the other way, serving as a reminder of the fickleness of the game. He cited examples where changes in the set-piece, or strategic plays by the hookers, could have significantly impacted the game. Despite the losses, he maintains a forward-looking perspective, ready to tackle the next challenge.
“So, it’s vital that we stay fully aware of every detail. They are aggressive when they engage physically, therefore, we can’t afford to falter in our tackles. Ideally, I’d like to avoid too much physical contact as that would hint at a successful day at our end.
“However, chances are, this won’t be the case, and we’ll have to face a daunting reality. This conveys their strong offensive style as well as their eagerness to compete in the sport we all love. I believe it’ll be quite the display.”
A calm wind drifts by at ground level, but above, it howls. Croke Park has a strange microclimate, a mixture of serene and ferocious winds cycling within the space, bordered by shadowy depths on one end and sunlight streaming through Hill 16 and Clonliffe Road on the other. The spirit of this place is palpable.
For Lowe, it’s critical to disregard the intimidating stature and sobering history of the stadium. The very elements that make the field almost hallowed are what he must cast aside. While Croke Park amplifies the event, he recognizes the risks of over-analyzing and the benefits of simply absorbing the grandeur of the experience.
“It’s an unusual place,” admits Lowe. “Quite a windy spot but each stadium has its own distinctive characteristics and advantages. Being here is awe-inspiring. Standing in the heart of that field and taking in the sheer enormity can be quite overpowering.
“This marks my inaugural journey down this road, my first time stepping onto this field, and it’s all in preparation for the captain’s run. The stadium is incredible, something only a young child can dream about. That we get to play a club rugby match, and potentially fill the stands…
“We’re quite familiar with this scenario. We’ve found ourselves in some considerable venues elsewhere. It’s simply that this particular one happens to be on our home turf.”
Just another day.