The Left Wing

Irish Independent

The biggest stories in Irish rugby with our team of writers and experts, including Rúaidhrí O'Connor, Cian Tracey, Will Slattery, Sineád Kissane and Luke Fitzgerald. From breaking news to in-depth analysis, expert opinion and post-match comment we have every position covered.

From in-depth analysis to team news and post-match analysis we have every position covered.

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24 episodes
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Episodes 24

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Tuesday · 1 hr 3 min
Lancaster's year two blueprint, Frawley's make or break season & Munster's chink of light
Will, Luke and Cian convene for part one of the Left Wing's season preview with Munster and Connacht under the microscope. The lads throw out a few reasons for Munster fans to be hopeful ahead of the new season but serious questions about the direction of travel still remain. Meanwhile, year two of Stuart Lancaster in Connacht is picking up steam with the westerners looking poised to have a big season. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 7 · 50 min
Contepomi's Leinster link, ROG's future & Springboks statement
Will and Luke are joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to discuss the latest news on Leinster's coaching search and South Africa's impressive third Test win over New Zealand. Felipe Contepomi's Leinster link, Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle future and Rassie Erasmus' record vs the All Blacks is all on the menu. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 31 · 1 hr 5 min
Rassie's 'Bond villain' approach, Crowley concern & Leinster's RDS dilemma
It’s officially season number 10 of the Left Wing as Will, Luke and Rúaidhrí come in off the back of another high-quality clash between South Africa and New Zealand, where the quality of Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi shine in the Springboks win. The lads also break down Jack Crowley’s injury and Rud gives us an inside look into the new RDS. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 24 · 54 min
Springboks stunned, All Blacks' new era & Rassie's big decision
The Left Wing has come out of hibernation as Will is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to review the first Test of Springboks vs All Blacks. South Africa's missed opportunities, the All Blacks improvement under Dave Rennie and the future of summer tours are all on the menu. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 21 · 1 hr 2 min
The big Ireland debrief | Too many mistakes, the big three gap & World Cup outlook
Will and Luke are joined by Jonathan Bradley for one final Left Wing of the season as they dissect Ireland's defeat to New Zealand. The lads break down Ireland's shortcomings in Eden Park and discuss the direction of travel with the World Cup looming on the horizon. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 18 · 31 min
New Zealand 40 Ireland 19 | Lots to ponder for Andy Farrell after Eden Park humbling
Will is joined by Cian Tracey from Eden Park to break down Ireland's heavy defeat to the All Blacks. The lads pick through the errors Andy Farrell's side made and discuss whether this result means Ireland are definitively behind the big three of South Africa, France and New Zealand. Rugby on the Indo Sport podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 13 · 1 hr 2 min
Disjointed Ireland, Frawley misses his chance & Eden Park looms
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley reflect on Ireland's stuttering win over Japan and look ahead to the showdown with New Zealand in Eden Park. Ciaran Frawley's performance, the lineout struggles and whether Andy Farrell made too many changes is all on the menu. The lads then move onto next weekend's game in Auckland, where Ireland will bid to become the first team to beat the All Blacks in Eden Park in the professional era. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 9 · 29 min
Ireland team reaction | Four new caps, Frawley's chance and the 13 concern
Will, Luke and Cian convene once again to discuss the Ireland team that will face Japan on Saturday. Andy Farrell has made nine changes, with Ciaran Frawley handed the ten jersey and four uncapped players - Sean Jansen, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Bryn Ward - all in the 23. The lads also discuss the lack of depth at outside centre, with veteran Robbie Henshaw given the 13 jersey this Saturday in place of Garry Ringrose. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 7 · 1 hr
Ireland's smart play, Australia's missed chance & Eddie Jones mind games
Will, Luke and Cian (from Sydney) convene to discuss Ireland's thrilling win over Australia to start the Nations Championship. The lads break down how Ireland were able to come away with a victory despite a strong Wallabies performance and look ahead to next weekend's clash with Japan - with Eddie Jones already starting the mind games. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 2 · 39 min
Ireland team reaction | Surprise Osborne selection & Schmidt's Leinster link
Will is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to break down the Ireland team selection for Saturday's game against Australia. Jamie Osborne's surprise start on the left wing, Cian Prendergast's big opportunity and Ireland's stacked bench are all on the menu. The lads also discuss the Australian team selection as well as Joe Schmidt's comments about whether he would be interested in replacing Leo Cullen. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 30 · 1 hr 2 min
Ireland's summer goals, Stockdale's chance & Leo Cullen's announcement
Will and Luke are joined by Cian Tracey from Sydney ahead of Ireland's first Nations Championship game against Australia. The lads discuss the big team selection talking points, assess where Ireland are at ahead of their three-match tour and also weigh in on Leo Cullen's long goodbye from Leinster. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 21 · 1 hr 7 min
Dominant Leinster, Bulls flop again & Prendergast's next step
Will, Luke and Jonathan deliver a rare Sunday special as Leinster seal the URC title by disposing of a brutal Bulls team. That said, there was a lot to like about this Leinster performance as the team assess whether Sam Prendergast can build into the summer, and where Leinster’s season can be evaluated on the whole. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 20 · 26 min
Leinster deliver best performance of the season in URC Final win | Reaction from Croke Park
Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey report from Croke Park as Leinster have won the URC for the second year, delivering their best performance of the season with Sam Prendergast's outing at 10 a highlight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16 · 1 hr 4 min
Irish rugby's exodus, the James Lowe mistake & Leinster's final step
Will, Luke and Cian look ahead to Friday's URC final between Leinster and the Bulls, discuss the players exiting the provinces this summer and look ahead to the Ireland squad announcement for the summer tour. Luke questions Tyler Bleyendaal's contribution as Leinster attack coach given the recent criticism of Jacques Nienaber, the lads debate the reasons behind James Lowe's departure and discuss the areas Leinster will need to get right to beat the Bulls. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 8 · 1 hr 2 min
Leinster advance, 12 years of Farrell & will Ronan O'Gara ever return?
Will, Luke and Ruaidhri O'Connor convene to assess Leinster's URC semi-final win over the Stormers, look ahead to a final rematch against the Bulls and discuss Andy Farrell's new Ireland contract. What Farrell's deal means for Ronan O'Gara's future and the importance of Jamison Gibson-Park is also up for discussion. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 2 · 1 hr 10 min
Leinster's media battle, Munster's bleak outlook & James Lowe's future
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley assemble after a URC quarter-final weekend that saw only Leinster emerge from the pile - and then come out swinging. The future of James Lowe in Ireland, Munster’s future after their loss to the Bulls and the eye-catching back-and-forth between Jaques Nienaber and our Irish Independent colleague Rúaidhrí O’Connor are all on the menu. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 26 · 1 hr 9 min
Leinster's dark day | Can Leo Cullen survive? | Out-half issues
Will, Luke and Cian convene (again) for a Leinster Champions Cup final post-mortem. Leinster's awful first-half performance, whether their defensive system is fit for purpose and the future of Leo Cullen as head coach are all on the agenda. The lads also discuss Ulster's tough night against Montpellier after a similarly chastening defeat. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 23 · 47 min
Another lost final for Leinster as exceptional Bordeaux top Europe | Reaction from Bilbao 🏉
Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey give their reaction from the San Mames stadium in Bilbao as Bordeaux comprehensively defeat Leinster in the Champions Cup final. The lads also give their analysis of Ulster’s defeat at the hands of Montpellier on Friday night in a sweltering Challenge Cup finale. Rugby on Indo Sport is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 22 · 25 min
Leinster team reaction | No Lowe, Clarkson's big day & Henshaw gets the nod
Will is joined by Cian Tracey from Bilbao to break down Leinster's Champions Cup final team selection. The omission of James Lowe, the selection of Thomas Clarkson over Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw getting the nod over Jamie Osborne is all up for discussion. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 18 · 1 hr 11 min
Bumper final preview | Leinster's toughest test, selection debate & URC drama
It is European finals week as both Leinster and Ulster eye silverware in Bilbao this weekend. Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley preview Ulster's Challenge Cup final clash with Montpellier before giving their thoughts on Leinster v Boredeaux in the Champions Cup Final. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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