Michael Lowry
Date of birth (1998-08-20) 20 August 1998
Place of birthBelfast, Northern Ireland
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight79 kg (12.4 st; 174 lb)
SchoolRoyal Belfast Academical Institution
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Fly-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Banbridge 4 (12)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018– Ulster 92 (105)
Correct as of 13 January 2024[1]
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 Ireland U20 1 (0)
2022– Ireland 1 (10)
2022 Ireland Wolfhounds 1 (0)
Correct as of 15 November 2022

Michael Lowry (born 20 August 1998) is an Irish rugby union player from Northern Ireland who plays fullback and out-half for United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup side Ulster, and internationally for Ireland. Doubted early on because of his small stature, he has exceptional footwork and acceleration.[2] Ireland coach Andy Farrell describes him as a "nightmare" to play against, praising his explosiveness and bravery.[3]

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Lowry attended Royal Belfast Academical Institution and captained the school to a Medallion Shield and three Ulster Schools' Cups in a row between 2015 and 2017,[4] and represented Ulster at under-17, under-18 and under-19 level, as well as Ireland at under-19 level.[5] After leaving school, he joined the Ulster academy ahead of the 2017–18 season.[6] He debuted for Ireland under-20s in their final match of the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship against Japan, which Ireland won 39–33.[7]

He made his senior debut for Ulster on 29 September 2018, featuring off the bench in the province's 64–7 defeat at the hands of Munster.[8][9] He made his European Rugby Champions Cup debut in Ulster's 24–10 win against English side Leicester Tigers in round 1 of the 2018–19 tournament on 13 October 2018.[10] In 2018–19 he made sixteen appearances, including twelve starts, scored two tries,[1] with 38 defenders beaten and 17 clean breaks.[11] He was named Academy Player of the Season in the 2019 Ulster Rugby Awards.[12] He signed his first senior contract with Ulster in February 2019, joining the senior squad ahead of the 2019–20 season.[13] That season he made seven appearances, including 3 starts,[1] but his season was curtailed by an ankle injury that required surgery.[14] In 2020–21 he made 22 appearances, including 18 starts, scoring 53 points,[1] making 159 carries with 54 defenders beaten and 15 clean breaks, and being named Man of the Match twice.[15] He was named at fullback in the 2020–21 Pro14 Dream Team,[16] and was invited to train with the Ireland squad for the 2021 summer internationals.[17]

In 2021–22 he made 20 appearances, including 15 starts, and scored 22 points.[1] He was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2022 Six Nations Championship,[18] making his debut, and scoring two tries and providing a try assist, against Italy.[19] He was named on the long list for EPCR European Player of the Year for his performances with Ulster in the Champions Cup,[20][21] finishing the competition first in run metres with 770 and joint first for defenders beaten with 29.[22] He was nominated for the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year award by Rugby Players Ireland,[23] and was named Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Player of the Year.[24] He was called up to the Ireland squad for their 2022 tour of New Zealand.[25]

International Tries

As of 28 February 2022[26]

Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  Italy Dublin, Ireland Aviva Stadium 2022 Six Nations Championship 27 February 2022 Win 57 – 6
2

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 ItsRugby profile
  2. ↑ "Written off over his size, Michael Lowry is an example for smaller players", Rugby Pass, 30 January 2022
  3. ↑ "Ireland debutant Michael Lowry ‘a nightmare’ to play against, says Farrell", The Observer, 26 February 2022
  4. ↑ "Michael Lowry ready to make up for lost time with Ulster". Belfast Telegraph. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  5. ↑ "Michael Lowry Banbridge RFC Profile". Banbridge RFC. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "Ulster Announce Academy Squad For 2017/18", IRFU, 28 July 2017
  7. ↑ "Ireland U-20s Secure World Championship Status With Winning Finish". Irish Rugby. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Warwick set for 100th cap in Thomond Park". Ulster Rugby. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  9. ↑ "Academy due make Senior debuts". Ulster Rugby. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "Ulster 24 Leicester Tigers 10". Ulster Rugby. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  11. ↑ Ulster Men: Who did what 2018-19, The From Row Union, 18 July 2019
  12. ↑ Darren Fullerton, "2019 Ulster Rugby Awards: Retiring captain Rory Best is named Heineken Personality of the Year", Belfast Live, 9 May 2019
  13. ↑ "Academy trio commit futures to Ulster". Ulster Rugby. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Ulster dealt injury blow as Michael Lowry undergoes surgery", Belfast Telegraph, 22 October 2019
  15. ↑ Ulster 2020-21 - Who Did What?, The Front Row Union, 12 August 2021
  16. ↑ "The Media Votes are in - Who made the Guinness PRO14 Dream Team?". Pro14 rugby. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  17. ↑ Cian Tracey, "Uncapped Ulster back Michael Lowry to train with Ireland squad ahead of summer tests", Irish Independent, 22 June 2021
  18. ↑ "Uncapped Hansen and Lowry named in Ireland squad". RTE Sport. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "Ireland rack up 57 points after red card forces Italy down to 13 players". the42. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  20. ↑ "Five Irish players nominated for European Rugby Player of Year", The42, 1 February 2022
  21. ↑ "Lowry steps into EPOTY contention" , European Professional Club Rugby, 1 April 2022
  22. ↑ "Tournament Statistics - Players", EPCR, retrieved 20 June 2022
  23. ↑ "Rugby Players Ireland Reveal Award Nominations", Irish Rugby, 11 May 2022
  24. ↑ "2021-22 Heineken Ulster Rugby Award winners revealed", Ulster Rugby, 23 June 2022
  25. ↑ Gerry Thornley, "Ireland name their 40-man squad for tour of New Zealand", The Irish Times, 14 June 2022
  26. ↑ "Michael Lowry". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
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