LEINSTER TODAY CONFIRMED the signing of 24-year Maori All Black James Lowe.

The back has scored 18 tries in 29 appearances for the Chiefs Super Rugby side and represented the Maori All Blacks on five occasions, scoring six tries, one of which came against Munster in Thomond Park last November.

Lowe made an impact with the Chiefs despite suffering from a rare arthritic affliction that had him bed-ridden and in severe pain as a teenager.

He made his Super League debut in 2014, scoring a try in that game, and has added a further 17 since.

Lowe will join up with his new Leinster team-mates after the conclusion of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign which he will play for his home province Tasman.

Speaking to Leinster’s official website this morning, head coach Leo Cullen said:

“James is a quality and still relatively young outside back that we have been tracking for some time, so we are delighted that he has agreed to join us.

“We believe James will greatly add to the outside backs that we have and provide good competition in the squad as we look to remain competitive in both the Guinness PRO12 and the Champions Cup.

“We look forward to welcoming James to Leinster and seeing him out on the field representing the team once his commitments in New Zealand come to a close.”

Source: The42 Rugby Show/SoundCloud

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