It’s not personal, it’s business, is a natty phrase that goes well on a T-shirt or mug but seems trite and shallow when discussing a real-life situation. James Lowe, cap number 1,262, will leave Leinster for Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo this summer after nine years at the province. The actuary has spoken.He’ll be missed, by team-mates, coaches, supporters and given his personality and sense of irreverence, the media. Life will be duller in his absence. His appeal is obvious. Lowe is box office on and off the pitch, his effervescent personality engaging whether celebrating tries, seminal moments in matches, or good-naturedly bagging team-mates for their idiosyncrasies.He is thoughtful and interesting on most topics, rugby or otherwise, his analysis sharp and flecked with honesty, the edge generally softened by a smile and a quip. That’s the person. The player isn’t too shabby either. Lowe is more than a set of numbers, even when those numbers are hugely impressive: 71 tries in 102 appearances for Leinster, 17 tries in 45 caps for Ireland.Leinster made him an offer he could refuse. The IRFU declined to PONI (player of national interest) up the spondulicks, to supplement a contract that with the union bump from previous deals was reputed to be worth in the ballpark of €350,000 per annum. The revised offer might have been closer to the €200,000 plus change mark.Derisory or otherwise, the specific details are known to a few, but it doesn’t stop everyone wading out of their depth in the pool of opinion. A more vocal consensus among Leinster supporters is that they’re disappointed that he couldn’t be persuaded financially to stay. Given the stage in his career, it’s unlikely that the 33-year-old would have wanted to accept a sizeable pay cut. And few would blame him.So was it purely a financial decision? What’s slightly problematic is whether the decision was made by the commercial or the rugby side of the house in Leinster. There would have been a collaboration, but it would be interesting to ascertain which side got the final say.In pure rugby terms, Leinster doesn’t have a winger of his ilk, in quality or style. Nor do Ireland, the nearest stylistically, and it is not a close approximation, is probably Connacht’s Shayne Bolton.Lowe’s power into and through the tackle regularly flummoxes opponents, accompanied by a well-timed shoulder dip or a late change in stride length. He is a prodigious left-footed kicker, perfect for a long exit strategy from the 22. His vision, timing on to the ball, ability to play out of contact, physicality and unselfishness stand out too.Leinster doesn’t have a winger of James Lowe's ilk, in quality or style. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Lowe might not be quite as quick as he was when he first signed for Leinster at 24 in 2017, but top-end pace wasn’t a consideration in the way he played, nor did it ever represent a point of difference. Prior to qualifying to play for Ireland, he played 47 matches for Leinster in his first three seasons. He’s played 55 games for the province in the last six seasons. Injury has been a factor, especially this season. The balance sheet boffins would have looked at an average of nine matches a season for Leinster during the latter time frame and cross-referenced it with salary demands. His availability next season and through to the World Cup in Australia would have yielded a bottom line per game figure.James Lowe has 17 tries in 45 caps for Ireland.