Wing James Lowe has been ruled out of Ireland’s two remaining Six Nations matches with a groin injury.
Lowe, was replaced by Tommy O’Brien just 20 minutes into Ireland’s stunning 42-21 victory against England at Allianz Stadium.
Before the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed the news on Thursday, Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby admitted the 33-year-old Leinster player was “struggling”.
“I think he’s due to see someone today, a specialist,” Easterby said after Ireland’s open training session in front of nearly 5,000 fans at Aviva Stadium.
“I would have thought they’d make a call on it over the next few days, but you could see when he tried to take off that he did something nasty.
“Lowey’s pretty tough. He was getting up and down on the sideline when things were going well for us and he was part of the cheerleading group on the sideline.
“I think the next couple of days will probably be reflected on his involvement before the end of the Six Nations.”
New Zealand-born Lowe has won 45 caps since making his Ireland debut in 2020 and earned two British and Irish Lions Test caps during last summer’s tour to Australia.
He played every minute of Ireland’s triumphant Six Nations campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
Having been left out of Andy Farrell’s matchday squad for the defeat by France earlier this month, Lowe’s impressive display in the win over Italy saw him keep his place in the line-up for the England game.
Ireland, who sit third in the table, face Wales in Dublin on 6 March before hosting Scotland in their final game on 14 March.
