The Left Wing
Irish Independent
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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.
Епизоди
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Leinster's media battle, Munster's bleak outlook & James Lowe's future 02.06.2026 1ч 10минWill, 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.
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Leinster's dark day | Can Leo Cullen survive? | Out-half issues 26.05.2026 1ч 9минWill, 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.
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Another lost final for Leinster as exceptional Bordeaux top Europe | Reaction from Bilbao 🏉 23.05.2026 47минRúaidhrí 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.
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Leinster team reaction | No Lowe, Clarkson's big day & Henshaw gets the nod 22.05.2026 25минWill 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.
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Bumper final preview | Leinster's toughest test, selection debate & URC drama 18.05.2026 1ч 11минIt 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 EnergiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Prendergast's future, the Lancaster surge & Munster's lost season 11.05.2026 1ч 6минRúaidhrí O’Connor joins Will and Luke after a URC weekend where Connacht’s quality shone through, Munster’s lack of depth was exposed and Sam Prendergast’s tackling leaves doubts over his spot in Leinster’s 23 for the Champions Cup final. The team break it all down and look ahead to the players who could make a name for themselves at the season’s end to get on the Ireland squad for the summer tour. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Leinster's good & bad | Leo Cullen vs the media | Ulster's final date 05.05.2026 1ч 11минWill, Luke and Jonathan Bradley convene to look back on a European weekend that saw Leinster and Ulster book their ticket to Bilbao. The good and bad of Leinster's win over Toulon plus Leo Cullen's battle with the media is on the menu, as Jonathan breaks down Ulster's return to the limelight. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Leinster see off late Toulon rally to book place in Champions Cup final | Post-match reaction | Leinster 29-25 Toulon 02.05.2026 24минIndo Sport's Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey convene post-match at the Aviva Stadium to assess Leinster's 29-25 win in today's Champions Cup semi-final vs Toulon. Rugby coverage on the Indo Sport podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Leinster's prop crisis | Munster’s feel-good victory v Ulster | Connacht chase the top eight 28.04.2026 59минSinéad Kissane, Cian Tracey and Luke Fitzgerald assemble for this week’s edition of the Left Wing podcast - reviewing how the provinces faired in the latest URC games and looking forward to the Champions Cup semi-final weekend. They chat through Leinster’s potential selection headaches, how Munster secured a ‘feel-good’ victory v Ulster and debate who remains in poll position in the chase for the top eight. They also discuss the raucous atmosphere in Clermont for Ireland v France, and the outcomes from the recent Energia AIL finals. Finally, the panel also lay their predictions on the line for the Champions Cup. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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St Mary's and Clontarf face off in Aviva showdown | Energia AIL final special 23.04.2026 37минWill is joined by Darragh Frawley of the Club Scene Podcast to preview the Energia AIL final weekend and to discuss the club rugby landscape in 2026. St Mary's and Clontarf square off in the men's final while UL Bohs take on Blackrock in the women's decider and Darragh breaks down all four teams ahead of the Sunday showdowns. The health of club rugby in Limerick, the strength of the Dublin teams and the relationship between the pro game and the club game is all on the menu too. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Leinster's European dilemma, Connacht's famous win & Munster's latest controversy 21.04.2026 1ч 1минWill and Luke are joined by Jonathan Bradley to break down another exciting weekend in the URC run in. Leinster's impressive win over Ulster, their Champions Cup selection policy, Connacht's South African scalp and Munster's on-field win and latest off-field controversy are all on the menu. Ireland's impressive Six Nations victory over Italy is up for discussion too. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brittany Hogan in studio | Facing England, life with Sale & Italy in Galway 16.04.2026 37минWill is joined in studio by Ireland back row and Energia ambassador Brittany Hogan to discuss Ireland's opening defeat to England and round two against Italy. Life in the Premiership with Sale, moving between back row positions and facing off against her Ireland team-mates are all on the menu too. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Hybrid Dan Sheehan, Bordeaux brilliance and Leinster's lessons 13.04.2026 1ч 2минWill and Luke welcome Ruaidhri O'Connor back to the show to break down a busy weekend of European action. The lads start with Bordeaux's thrilling win over Toulouse and then move on to Leinster's European credentials after a mixed outing against Sale. Ulster's Challenge Cup hopes, Connacht's European exit and Ireland's opening defeat in the Women's Six Nations against England are on the menu too. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Leinster's weird win | Munster's systems failure | Quarter-final crackers 07.04.2026 1ч 2минWill, Luke and Cian are back again to review the European round of 16 and look ahead to a blockbuster quarter-final line up.Leinster's strange win over Edinburgh - featuring three intercept tries in the first half - is up for discussion as the lads debate how good Leo Cullen's side are going into the last eight. Munster's bad day in Exeter, Connacht's winning streak and Ulster's lucky escape are all on the menu too. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Leinster's sloppy return, Crowley's big day & Ireland goal-kicking problem 31.03.2026 1чWill, Luke and Cian assemble to look ahead to the first European knockout weekend with Leinster starting their Champions Cup assault while the rest of the provinces prepare for Challenge Cup action. The lads pick through last weekend's URC action, with Leinster's poor first 30 minutes catching the eye. Jack Crowley's impressive performance vs the Bulls is a talking point, although his issues off the tee are still visible. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Schools rugby special with Bernard Jackman | Cup final drama & player pathways 27.03.2026 40минWill is joined by Bernard Jackman to look back on this year's dramatic schools cup finals, discuss the next steps for the best young talent and how provinces might compete against each other to secure the top prospects. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Munster's collapse | Leinster's decline | Connacht's revival | Ulster's missed chance 24.03.2026 1ч 4минWill, Luke and Cian assemble to discuss the return to provincial action ahead of a busy URC and European period. The problems at Munster, Leinster's poor showing in Glasgow, Connacht's good run of form and Ulster's missed opportunity are all on the agenda. An epic schools cup final and the proper way to pronounce Murray are up for discussion too. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The bumper Six Nations review | Paris chaos & Ireland's turnaround 16.03.2026 1ч 5минWill and Luke convene to recap the most sensational Super Saturday of them all. From the madness in Paris to Ireland's impressive win over Scotland, every big talking point from the final day of the Six Nations is on the table. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Six Nations Super Saturday ends with last-gasp French title and Irish Triple Crown | ☘️ 43 - 21 🏴 Reaction 14.03.2026 52минWhat a final day to one of the most dramatic and entertaining Six Nations in history! Sinéad Kissane, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey meet in the Aviva Stadium to discuss the drama that unfolded in Paris as Thomas Ramos made the kick that won France the Six Nations, at the expense of an English match win and an Irish title. The team also run the rule over a superb Irish performance that ensured the Triple Crown would not fall into Scottish hands. Our Rugby Podcast coverage is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Ireland's injury blow | Overconfident Scotland | England in crisis 12.03.2026 43минWill and Luke break down Ireland's team selection to face Scotland ahead of a blockbuster Six Nations finale. James Ryan's injury, Bundee Aki's bench role and who Andy Farrell left out is all on the menu. The lads also discuss Scotland star Darcy Graham's cocky pre-match comments ahead of taking on Ireland. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.