It is now official: Ireland wing James Lowe is joining the Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan League One.

Out of contract at Leinster, the 34-year-old wing, capped 45 times by Ireland, will replace Cheslin Kolbe, who returns to the Stormers after three seasons in Japan. A starter twice in the last Six Nations, Lowe played through the whole of Leinster’s URC title run, including a brace in the quarter-final. One consequence of leaving the Irish province: barring a change to IRFU regulations, he should have to give up on the 2027 World Cup with Ireland.