Whether sanctioned by formal accolades or not, hat-tricks are always remembered fondly. James Lowe will look back dearly at the moment he singlehandedly took over Leinster’s scoring responsibilities in the semi-final at Croke Park. His remarkable performance in front of a record-breaking Investec Champions Cup crowd of 82,300 will stick with him.
Lowe’s three touchdowns were simply the tip of the iceberg, observant eye can see a much broader scope to his overall game. The knack of being at the right spot and the intuition that sprouts from good habits and technique have to be complemented by the ability to make clear-headed decisions in the heat of the game. After all, results are the ultimate determinant in sports.
Try-making is a winger’s primary currency, but Lowe’s worth to both Leinster and Ireland extends beyond mere scoring. His impressive statistics of 57 tries in 78 matches in the blue jersey speaks volumes.
Leinster’s scrumhalf, Jamison Gibson-Park, who was chose as the official man of the match, shares a number of top-tier skills with Lowe. Both players excel in technical proficiency, and have a sharp, astute clairvoyance in attack or defence.
Lowe excels at embedding himself into a game, often stepping outside of a traditional role and consistently breaching the gain line to set his team up for success. His kicks, whether powerful clearances with his left foot or tactfully measured chip and chases, are another major asset.
In the initial minutes of the match, Lowe contributed on five separate occasions. Excluding one errant pass, his contributions were consistent – chasing kicks, inducing mistakes, occupying multiple defenders, and even the unsung work of clearing out at rucks.
At the 10-minute mark, a faultless pass from Gibson-Park enabled Lowe to weave between Alex Mitchell and George Hendy to secure his first try.
Lowe’s rugby acumen allowed him to execute an angled cutback from the touchline, effectively splitting the defenders and momentarily diverting their focus from the Leinster wing. One can only speculate about Gibson-Park’s telepathic abilities considering the trajectory of the ball.
Not long after, they almost collaborated again when Lowe pursued the scrum-half’s grubber kick on penalty advantage which led to a second try-scoring partnership. Caelan Doris had an exquisite flick of the ball when he was grounded on the line and Gibson-Park showed quick thinking to hit the ball one-handedly towards Lowe.
George Furbank experienced a jolting tackle from Lowe, who also withstood a vicious hit by Juarno Augustus. Lowe’s first-half accomplishments were only slightly tarnished by a single fumble. Despite this, Lowe pressed on, demonstrating his skill when he secured Fin Smith’s grubber kick through and found touch. By this time, Lowe had scored twice, defeated three defenders and had made five successful gainline hits according to the match’s official data.
After the break, Lowe maintained his momentum by chasing Ross Byrne’s towering kick. Being involved in a kick chase can sometimes feel futile for wings, but it’s an expected part of the role.
Lowe solidified his hat-trick around the 43rd minute, a feat that was largely attributable to others like Ryan Baird’s distinctive gallop, beautiful offloads from Jamie Osborne and Dan Sheehan, and Ciarán Frawley’s significant work rate and foresight. This team effort left the Saints defence in disarray and allowed Lowe to saunter towards the corner for his third try, contributing to an estimated total running distance of roughly 8 metres. In a post-match interview, the modest wingman adjusted this figure to 10 metres as a humble acknowledgement of his input.
While holding his toddler son, Nico, he was questioned if it was a ‘Lowe-show’ at Croker. His response was, “I truly believe it’s Jamison’s show. He’s showcasing astounding football skills and making it all seem quite effortless. I suspect I covered about 10m altogether for it [the hat-trick]. The lads served it on a splatter for me and I was merely the bloke who grounded the ball.”
The game altered its character after this point. Lowe kept himself engaged in assisting his teammates, unyielding except for one high ball that slipped his control. He pursued determinedly and appeared more frequently as the initial receiver, usually making advancement amidst dense opposition.
At the 63rd minute, he curbed a menacing attack from Northampton by swiftly closing down the broader path. As Saints nibbled at Leinster’s lead, Lowe showed he wasn’t afraid to take the lead, becoming more actively involved, especially with the kicking game.
It was clear the home team was now in defensive mode and Lowe twice kicked the ball to a far distance. His last noticeable play was a cleanup at the game’s final breakdown as he exerted himself to shield Robbie Henshaw’s advance into Northampton’s towering forest.
In his commendation to his teammates, Lowe had one last remark, “Prominent players rise to the occasion in crucial moments.” He could likely have been commenting on his own input.