The real reason James Lowe’s contract negotiations broke down has emerged
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No deal.
The real reason for James Lowe’s departure from Leinster and Ireland has emerged after the winger confirmed his exit this week.
Lowe’s contract negotiations have been drawn out for a number of months, with an agreement unable to be reached in the end, just one year out from the Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Speaking on Off The Ball, former teammate James Tracy has revealed that a deal was on the table that Lowe was happy with, before that offer was pulled at the last minute…
“I think James Lowe is down about the James Lowe news, just as much as the rest of us,” said Tracy.
“That’s the saddest part of it.
“You’ve got a guy who’s a game-breaker. We don’t really have anyone who his king of skillset in the country.
“He’s let go through the powers that be in the IRFU, trying to pull a quick one and save a few quid, thinking he’ll hold on for the World Cup, and they can get him for half the price that had been agreed with to roll over the contract.
“It’s a very disappointing ending to clearly what was not what most people wanted. Andy Farrell wanted him, Leinster wanted him, and he wanted to stay.
“It’s an unusual scenario that I hope we don’t find ourselves in again.
“My understanding is he had a one-plus-one-year contract on the table and was expecting a renewal. The contract was agreed until the World Cup on the deal he was on.
“In the dying hours, he was handed a letter to say his plus one was going to be terminated.
“Then, a few days later, he was handed a new contract for half the money instead of renewing what was agreed on.
“They did have the right to exercise a termination. But if you’re going to terminate, terminate.”
Lowe is yet to reveal where he will be playing his rugby next season, but multiple reports suggest he has agreed a deal with Japanese side Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.
