Michael Lowry (rugby union)

Irish rugby union player

For other people named Michael Lowry, see Michael Lowry (disambiguation).

Rugby player

Michael Lowry

Date of birth|  (1998-08-20) 20 August 1998 (age 26)

|

Place of birth| Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height| 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight| 79 kg (12.4 st; 174 lb)
School| Royal 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|  123|  (125)

Correct as of 16 May 2025[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] He made his 100th Ulster appearance against the Scarlets in May 2024.[26]

## International Tries

[edit]

As of 28 February 2022[27]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ "Post-Match Reaction | Scarlets (A)", Ulster Rugby, 12 May 2024
27. ^ "Michael Lowry". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 28 February 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Ulster Rugby profile
* United Rugby Championship profile
* Michael Lowry at European Professional Club Rugby
* Banbridge RFC Profile

* v
* t
* e

Ulster – current squad

Forwards|

* John Andrew
* Juarno Augustus
* Angus Bell
* Sam Crean
* Matthew Dalton
* Iain Henderson
* Rob Herring
* Joe Hopes
* Charlie Irvine
* Cormac Izuchukwu
* David McCann
* James McCormick
* Rory McGuire
* Lorcan McLoughlin
* James McNabney
* Bryan O'Connor
* Eric O'Sullivan
* Tom O'Toole
* Marcus Rea
* Sean Reffell
* Callum Reid
* Harry Sheridan
* Tom Stewart
* Nick Timoney
* Scott Wilson

Backs|

* Robert Baloucoune
* Ben Carson
* Nathan Doak
* Jake Flannery
* James Hume
* James Humphreys
* Werner Kok
* Michael Lowry
* Stuart McCloskey
* Ethan McIlroy
* Conor McKee
* Stewart Moore
* Ben Moxham
* Jack Murphy
* Jude Postlethwaite
* David Shanahan
* Jacob Stockdale
* Zac Ward

Coach|

* Richie Murphy

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