Exterior of representing the Barbarians, solely two gamers have ever performed for and in opposition to the British and Irish Lions. In 2025 – barring damage – Eire’s James Lowe will create historical past in changing into the third.
In 1955, Irishman Tom Reid represented the Lions in two Checks vs South Africa after which performed in opposition to the 1959 Lions for Japanese Canada in Toronto following their tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Some 55 years later, England centre Riki Flutey repeated the feat: beginning the third Take a look at for the Lions in opposition to the Springboks in 2009, having confronted the Lions for Wellington in New Zealand 4 years beforehand.
Again in 2017, a 24-year-old Lowe began for the Maori All Blacks as they suffered a 32-10 defeat to the Lions in Rotorua. Eight years and 40 Irish caps later, Lowe has been chosen to change into a 2025 British and Irish Lion on their tour to Australia.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” Lowe instructed Sky Sports activities. “I used to be a bag of nerves [during the announcement], my high was over my eyes because it got here nearer alphabetically. It was a humorous emotion however I used to be ecstatic. I am very, very honoured.
“I grew up in New Zealand and my mom is Maori, so I certified for the Maori All Blacks. I used to be fortunate sufficient to play in opposition to the Lions in 2017. I did not fairly perceive the enormity of what it meant to be a Lion on the time.
“I would just signed with Leinster a few months beforehand [for the start of the next season] and was trying on the 40-man squad and noticed there have been a variety of boys I would quickly be enjoying with in that crew. The likes of Tadhg Furlong – I could not even pronounce his title firstly, and was too scared to say! – Johnny Sexton, Sean O’Brien, Jack McGrath.
“To be honest, it was probably the Lions’ first actual test over there, it was before their first Test against New Zealand and I think they would probably say they hadn’t really performed up until that game.
“We went into the sport considering it may very well be alright. We had Nehe Milner-Scudder on one wing, Rieko Ioane on the left and I used to be enjoying full-back. We checked out our possibilities considering we may do it, however the depth from the primary kick-off was so arduous to explain.
“It was my first proper introduction to Test match rugby and what it actually meant for them to be a Lion, and they just suffocated us that evening.
“It was a wet night, it was Test match rugby. They were plugging corners, Conor Murray was putting box-kicks on top of me. I was there for fair-weather rugby, I wanted to run the ball around and play touch, but then you’d have Sean O’Brien chasing you down.
“It was one thing very memorable. I truly acquired Leigh Halfpenny’s jersey, we swapped after the sport.”
Having joined Leinster later that summer in 2017, three years later Lowe was eligible for Ireland under World Rugby residency laws at the time – since changed to five years.
The powerful winger has gone on to make a name for himself in the sport as one of the finest finishers around, picking up Six Nations titles in 2023 and 2024, in addition to further Triple Crowns in 2022 and 2025 and a stunning 2-1 series victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2022.
Yet, when making the move to Ireland eight years ago, Lowe says he never thought about the Lions or the possibility of ever potentially becoming one.
“Not one bit, genuinely,” he says.
“After I acquired the contract supply from Leinster, I used to be up in limbo with New Zealand rugby, I hadn’t made the New Zealand crew. This chance got here, a three-year deal on the finish of which, at the back of my thoughts, I believed I may possibly symbolize Eire. However that’s not the explanation I signed.
Lowe has picked up 40 caps for Eire since November 2020, scoring 17 tries
“It was an awesome opportunity for myself and my wife to come over to this side of the world, get away from the safety net of family and friends and engrain ourselves in a brand-new culture.
“Turning into a Lion is clearly superb however it’s a byproduct of a variety of little issues that occurred alongside the way in which. It’s kind of of a full-circle second and right here we’re.”
On the 2025 tour of Australia, Lowe will battle for a Test place in the back three with the likes of England’s Tommy Freeman and Elliot Daly, Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe and Irish colleague Mack Hansen.
The 32-year-old repeats the word ‘honour’ when asked for his thoughts ahead of the tour.
“I am trying ahead to getting in on the deep finish. To be given the honour to go away the jersey in a greater place is one thing I’ll cherish for a really very long time.
Lowe was introduced as one in every of 15 Irish gamers within the Lions’ 38-man squad to journey to Australia
“I want to go over there and represent this crest on the chest with as much pride and enthusiasm as I can bring.
“If I get the chance to symbolize myself and the individuals who have come earlier than us to the most effective of my skill and depart the jersey in a greater place that’s all you may ask for as a rugby participant.”
Watch the Lions tour of Australia reside on Sky Sports activities in 2025
Sky Sports activities will solely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Checks in opposition to the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven solely reside.
