Ireland rocked by huge injury minutes before France clash in Six Nations

James Lowe, the Ireland winger, has been sidelined from the upcoming Six Nations fixture against France due to an injury sustained during the warm-up. The 32-year-old seemed to injure himself in a tackling exercise, causing him visible distress as he collapsed and writhed on the ground.

Irish medical staff were quick to respond, attending to Lowe on the pitch. He spent approximately two minutes on the ground before being assisted to his feet, although he struggled to walk immediately.

Eventually, he was escorted off the pitch, casting doubt over his participation in the match.

Commenting on the situation in the ITV studio, ex-Ireland player Rory Best expressed concern: "It's worrying. Looking at the pictures of him walking down the tunnel, it seems his leg or his back went."

Best highlighted the significance of Lowe's absence, saying: "That is going to be massive for Ireland. He has been sensational for the team. They may have a decision now and maybe they will bring Calvin Nash in," reports the Express.

As the teams lined up for the national anthems, Lowe was notably absent, and it was soon officially announced that he had been withdrawn from the starting XV. Jamie Osbourne took over on the left wing, with Nash stepping in on the right.

The Irish management informed Six Nations officials that Lowe had experienced a back spasm. This setback leaves coach Simon Easterby without one of his pivotal players for a game that is widely considered crucial in determining the outcome of the 2025 Six Nations Championship.

Lowe put on a stellar performance in the opening weekend, helping secure a home win over England and scoring in the following week's victory over Scotland. He also played a crucial role in Cardiff two weeks ago, setting up a try for Osbourne with precision.

A win would put Ireland on the cusp of a Grand Slam and their third consecutive Championship win. However, a loss could see France leading the table by tonight, potentially giving England an opportunity ahead of their match against Italy tomorrow.