James Lowe has been granted Irish citizenship (Image: Getty)
New Zealand-born James Lowe has shared his heartfelt gratitude towards the Irish people after he and his wife Arnica were granted Irish citizenship. Lowe, who joined Leinster in 2017 and earned his first Ireland cap in 2020, has two children born in Ireland with Arnica.
The couple tied the knot in a surprise elopement to Las Vegas in 2022. Recalling their unexpected wedding, he said: ‘It was a lot of fun, stress-free.
“It was funny, I was lying on my bed 20 minutes before we had to leave, thinking, ‘Ah s*** I better have a shave'”. Despite a packed schedule, Lowe made time to attend the citizenship ceremony last Friday amidst training commitments.
“Now proud Irish Citizens,” Lowe told Irish Rugby TV. “It was obviously a very proud moment; we’ve been in Ireland eight years now, had two beautiful children here, and see our future here in Ireland.”
He added: “I was in here in the morning, we were training against the [under] 20s, then into the car straight after training popped home, picked up my wife and one of the kids, and we were off to the Convention Centre. It was awesome,” as reported by the Irish Mirror.
Before making Ireland his home, Lowe played for the New Zealand side Chiefs, and he credits the warm reception from the Irish community for easing his transition. “I remember when I first arrived here by myself, it was pitch black at 4.25pm in the afternoon in November, and it has gone by so quickly.
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“We’ve loved our time and what rugby has given us and the opportunities it has presented, and then to represent Ireland in Rugby has been one of the best experiences in our lives and something we cherish every day and hopefully, moving forward, a couple more kids can play for Ireland.”
The shift to the other side of the globe is challenging; leaving behind the comfort of family and friends. But joining Leinster’s rugby team meant an instant circle of 40 friends, and the support from past and present partners eased the transition.
“The staff made all the little stuff you don’t think about moving to the other side of the world so much easier, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. What the Irish people have done for us has filled us with confidence and joy and feeling accepted, and we’re just able to go out there and be ourselves and play good rugby and try to be good people.”
After a week off, Ireland will be back on the Six Nations pitch this weekend, facing Wales in Cardiff.
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