James Lowe keen to hit the ground running on Leinster return
Michael Bolton
After two defeats from two, Leinster are off to a slow start in the URC, with James Lowe among the returning players hoping to make a difference this weekend.
Lowe was among 12 other British and Irish Lions to remain in Dublin, as Leinster were defeated by South Africa to the Stormers and the Bulls.
Coming to the Aviva Stadium this weekend are the Sharks, who have also not won a game this season, but have quality across the pitch.
They also have some Springboks back after the conclusion of the Rugby Championship.
For Lowe, a win is not enough, as Leinster look to make a statement.
"No, no. We need a performance," he said. "I think everyone expects that. I don’t think anyone expected us to come back from South Africa with one point.
"We normally only lose a couple in the regular season, so to get them out of the way first isn’t good now, is it.
"There will be a fair few more South Africans lining up; there’s a bit of blood in the water.
"I don’t think anyone expected us to concede 35 and not score any points in that first game. A performance is always what you’re chasing, but a few things need to change. Hopefully, come this weekend, we can do that."
Lowe was last in action in the British and Irish Lions winning tour in Australia, having started the first two tests.
When asked about being left out of the third test, Lowe says, "Faz dropped me. It is what it is, mate. Sometimes that’s how it happens.”
The 33-year-old was impressed with the form of England's Tommy Freeman and also praised the rugby brain of England's Elliot Daly.
In the deciding moment of the tour, it was Lowe's Leinster teammate Hugo Keenan, who scored the winning try, who is currently out with an injury.
Looking back at the moment in the second test, Lowe said, "He’s one of the slowest men in world rugby in terms of a 15."
"But Hugo’s got one of the biggest engines. He’ll stick in gear four and just go all day, so fair play.
"A little bit of footwork, that one’s actually never worked on anyone, so no, he was there when we needed him, and we enjoyed ourselves after."
