James Lowe says rugby is in a 'weird' and 'confusing' place

Michael Bolton

Leinster and Ireland winger James Lowe has admitted rugby is in a "confusing place at the moment".

Lowe was speaking as World Rugby has announced plans to trial a lower "sternum tackle height for the first time at next year's World Rugby Under-20 Championships in Georgia.

The Leinster winger says tackle safety should be down to the players and officials on the pitch, and not the game's lawmakers.

Speaking ahead of the clash against Ulster at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, Lowe says the sport is in a weird place and questioned some decisions made by referees.

"As a tackler, you have a duty of care every time you go into contact," Lowe said. "I just think that that's it. You can't say if you tackle above the hips, it's going to be a penalty. I don't think you can do that.

"No matter the situation, there is a level of due diligence that you have to take into your own hands when going into contact.

"The game's in a confusing place at the moment," Lowe added.

"There are incidents that happen, week in, week out. If you have a different referee, if you have a different camera angle, you can get a completely different result. And I don't think anyone knows what's going on.

"There's incidents throughout the week, the whole time. We talk about bringing the tackle height down, but I don't think anyone goes in trying to put a shoulder into someone's head.

"I can speak on every single person, no one's trying to do that, but it's such a quick and dynamic game that sometimes incidents happen, and if you're on defence and it's your shoulder.

"We could all think off the top of our heads, there's been some questionable 'how has this come to this decision?' And everyone can sit here and pick one off the top of their head, and everyone's probably going to pick a different one, because there's been some crazy ones.

"I don't know, I'll probably get myself in trouble if I keep going here... the game's in a weird place, isn't it?"

As a winger, Lowe has had to get used to the new kick chase laws, which have seen more competition in the air and made it a crucial part of the game.

"It's an evolution of the game that's come about, and I don't know who looks into it. It's not up to me. I just do what I'm told.

"I don't know exactly why they changed. I don't think it's a bad thing for the game, but, you know, there's a lot more high balls going up. There are a lot more contests in the air.

"The one-v-ones in the air, they are so tough.

"As a winger, it sucks. I'm getting six-foot-five guys sprinting down and leaping over my head sort of thing, like, but I guess, contrary to that, we actually had a good day under the high ball against Leicester. In challenging conditions, a lot of that was with our frontline pressure.

It is here, at least up until the next World Cup. So I think we all have to get used to it."

After wins in Europe against Harlequins and Bath, the busy schedules continue for Leinster, with Ulster the first of three inter-provincial games over the festive period.

Richie Murphy's team were in excellent form before their defeat to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup last weekend, and Lowe is looking forward to the challenge they will bring.

"They've definitely got the personnel to be able to play with the ball in hand. But look, it's an exciting opportunity.

I don't think you got to see our defence fully on show over the weekend, because Leicester are a territory-based team, and like to win in their half, kick the ball away.

"I think it's going to be a completely different kettle of fish this weekend. So if they want to play with the ball against our style, hopefully they don't have a day like Munster did against us a couple of months ago."