"We are not afraid to say we want to win the World Cup."
So proclaimed Ryan Baird after Ireland beat Argentina, in November, to win their eighth consecutive Test match. James Lowe surely approves the spunk but is targeting some silverware with Ireland much sooner than 2023.
There is no doubt that Andy Farrell, having been on the Irish rugby scene for five years now, has looked at what Leinster are doing and opted to push plenty of his chips behind those players. The likes of Iain Henderson, Bundee Aki and Peter O'Mahony are showing the other provinces are contributing, but the spine of this Ireland team is Leinster.
Baird has grown up, in this Leinster squad, and is part of a generation of young players bred on success. League titles are an annual occurrence while Baird made his senior break-through in the season that the Blues were reigning champions of Europe.
Lowe arrived in late 2017 and has fit right in. Consistently good for Leinster, he
delivered in three games on the trot for Ireland and is the man in possession of the No.11 jersey as we head towards the 2022 Six Nations.
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James Lowe pictured after the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
'We can definitely get better,' declares James Lowe
Back in November 2018, just over a year into his time in Ireland, we had
Lowe on as a House of Rugby guest ahead of a highly anticipated game against New Zealand.
Lowe got along to that game, along with his parents, a few days later and sipped on a beer as he watched Ireland beat the All Blacks. In 2019, he got along to a couple of the home Six Nations games, too, and soaked up the atmosphere.
"The whole northern hemisphere definitely performed during that Autumn Nations Series," Lowe tells us, "which means it's going to be super exciting when the Six Nations comes about.
"You know, I feel we've built very well over the Autumn Nations Series and, if we can continue that form and keep building, there's still truck-loads of things we can definitely get better at, and get better at. If we can keep building, keep fit, I don't see why we can't challenge for the Six Nations.
"Last year was probably disappointing. It was definitely disappointing, actually. And I firmly believe that we can win the Six Nations. I don't know why we shouldn't be speaking about that, in the form that we've been able to produce.
"It's hugely exciting. The prospect of a full crowd at a Six Nations game. You know, I've been to a few Six Nations games and I've sat in the crowd, having pints. I'm pleased I'm not doing that... please God I'm not doing that this time around. It's an amazing atmosphere. It's something that I relish - the opportunity to play in the Six Nations. And, mate, if it comes about, it comes about, I'll definitely put my best foot forward."
Just like earlier this year, Ireland start off the 2022 Six Nations by facing Wales and France. They lost both games in 2021 before going on that eight-game winning streak. If they can right those wrongs, Lowe's bold claim could be on the money.
Leinster and Ireland rugby star James Lowe, who is Gourmet Burger Kitchen’s official Brand Ambassador, unveils new GBK in Dundrum Town Centre which will open next week in the Food Court.
