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15th December 2020
10:53am GMT
James Lowe pictured during the anthems at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/SPORTSFILE)[/caption]
On that defeat to England, Lowe believes Ireland still have a couple of gears to go through in 2021 but gave credit to Eddie Jones' side for a much-deserved victory.
"They don’t play too much rugby, but the rugby that they do play is pretty to watch, as hard as it is for me to say that. "They don’t play much, they kick the ball a lot and they’re very clinical. They’re physical and thy defend well. It’s very basic and very simple. It sounds very simple. It’s easy to say it’s simple but that’s it. That’s how they’re playing and that’s how they’re winning."On the criticism from Ashton, who has 44 Test caps with England, Lowe admits he did not 'hear the full context of everything' but is well aware of the headline comments. He added:
"I will stand up and say that Jonny May try, I didn’t think he was going to score that, and I know it’s my role to get back there and stop it. I fully understand that. "But as someone who’s still a player, or he’s still playing professional rugby, who would probably have more of a player’s perspective on things… could probably have understood or worded it in a different way. To come from another player, I don’t know… it’s a bit much. Someone who actually understands the game and the context of a game. I didn’t think it was very nice."
"It is disappointing when you see current players coming out and being critical of situations where there’s a lot of moving parts," said Ian Madigan.
"But, look, he’s probably trying to step up and make a bit of a name for himself." To that, Lowe replied:
"I mean, I wouldn’t mind him in front of me, that’s for sure. Yeah, like it’s easy… I took responsibility. I should have been there and I should have stopped it. I was absolutely b*****ed, in fairness. "For someone who has also played international rugby and would have a fair amount of understanding. But, like I said, I didn’t hear it or see the context of how he was saying it. But I wouldn’t mind him in front of me, every now and then. See how we go."Lowe is currently out injured but will be hoping to nail down a place in the Ireland XV for the 2021 Guinness Six Nations. Chris Ashton has not played for England in almost two years so the only chance we may have of a meeting with Lowe is a Harlequins vs. Leinster Champions Cup encounter. Also covered on the latest House of Rugby Ireland episode:
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