Shows / The Left Wing
The Left Wing
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.
Episodes
The Left WingIreland team reaction | Casey's chance, Baird's potential & Henshaw vs Osborne
Will and Luke break down Ireland's team selection for the opening November international against Argentina after Andy Farrell opted to make some interesting…
The Left WingBumper November preview | Ireland's fitness focus | Tadhg Beirne or James Ryan?
In part two of the Bumper November preview, Will, Luke and Ruaidhri O'Connor turn their attention to Ireland's autumn campaign. The team's fitness focus…
The Left WingNoel McNamara's Leinster move | Munster's strange selections | Carbery's second coming
This week's Left Wing was so bumper we had to split it in two as Will, Luke and Ruaidhri O'Connor assemble to preview a busy November. Before the international…
The Left WingFurlong fallout | Ireland's 13 shortage | Mediocre goal-kicking
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley assemble to discuss Leinster and Munster's spiky derby and the controversial fallout regarding the Tadhg Furlong citing. Dan…
The Left WingLeinster weather storm to overcome Munster in fiery encounter | Post-match reaction | Leinster 24-18 Munster
Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey convene post-match at The Aviva Stadium to recap Leinster's come-from-behind win over Munster in what proved a testy &…
The Left WingLeinster's meaty start | Connacht's big scalp | Munster's chopping and changing
Will, Luke and Cian assemble to discuss a successful first weekend of Champions Cup rugby for the Irish provinces. Leinster's all-star pack, Sam Prendergast's…
The Left WingBumper Champions Cup preview | Leinster's window, French beasts & Premiership weakness
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley convene for a Champions Cup preview as European rugby returns this weekend. The lads start off by looking back on Ulster and…
The Left WingDan Sheehan | Leo Cullen's last season, Leinster's outlook & back row potential
Will is joined by Dan Sheehan to discuss Leinster's return to the RDS, Leo Cullen's last dance and how he is feeling ahead of his first outing of the season on…
The Left WingMunster's reboot, Frawley's dream debut & no scrum, no win
Will and Luke are joined by Cian Tracey to discuss Munster's need for a reboot after more off field upheaval and some bright sparks on the pitch. Leinster's…
The Left WingIRFU's flawed policy, Munster's hidden gem & provinces make losing start
Will and Luke are joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to discuss the opening weekend of the URC that saw all four Irish provinces lose their opening game. Will takes…
The Left WingLeinster's risky succession plan, Nienaber's strange status & Ulster's time to deliver
Will and Luke are joined by Jonathan Bradley for part two of their season preview with Leinster and Ulster under the microscope. The danger of Leo Cullen and…
The Left WingLancaster'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…
The Left WingContepomi'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…
The Left WingRassie'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…
The Left WingSpringboks 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…
The Left WingThe 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…
The Left WingNew 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…
The Left WingDisjointed 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…
The Left WingIreland 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…
The Left WingIreland'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…
The Left WingIreland 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…
The Left WingIreland'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…
The Left WingDominant 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…
The Left WingLeinster 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…
The Left WingIrish 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 Left WingLeinster 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…
The Left WingLeinster'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…
The Left WingLeinster'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…
The Left WingAnother 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…
The Left WingLeinster 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…
The Left WingBumper 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…
The Left WingPrendergast's future, the Lancaster surge & Munster's lost season
Rúaidhrí 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…
The Left WingLeinster's good & bad | Leo Cullen vs the media | Ulster's final date
Will, 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…
The Left WingLeinster see off late Toulon rally to book place in Champions Cup final | Post-match reaction | Leinster 29-25 Toulon
Indo 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…
The Left WingLeinster's prop crisis | Munster’s feel-good victory v Ulster | Connacht chase the top eight
Sinéad 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…
The Left WingSt Mary's and Clontarf face off in Aviva showdown | Energia AIL final special
Will 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…
The Left WingLeinster's European dilemma, Connacht's famous win & Munster's latest controversy
Will 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…
The Left WingBrittany Hogan in studio | Facing England, life with Sale & Italy in Galway
Will 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…
The Left WingHybrid Dan Sheehan, Bordeaux brilliance and Leinster's lessons
Will 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…
The Left WingLeinster's weird win | Munster's systems failure | Quarter-final crackers
Will, 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…
The Left WingLeinster's sloppy return, Crowley's big day & Ireland goal-kicking problem
Will, 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…
The Left WingSchools rugby special with Bernard Jackman | Cup final drama & player pathways
Will 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…
The Left WingMunster's collapse | Leinster's decline | Connacht's revival | Ulster's missed chance
Will, 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…
The Left WingThe bumper Six Nations review | Paris chaos & Ireland's turnaround
Will 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…
The Left WingSix Nations Super Saturday ends with last-gasp French title and Irish Triple Crown | ☘️ 43 - 21 🏴 Reaction
What 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…
The Left WingIreland's injury blow | Overconfident Scotland | England in crisis
Will 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…
The Left WingThe greatest Six Nations ever | Ireland selection debate | France blow up
Will and Luke are joined by Cian Tracey to reflect on a sensational Six Nations Saturday and to assess what team Andy Farrell might pick this weekend…
The Left WingIreland overcome dogged Welsh display to keep Triple Crown hopes alive | Post-match reaction | Ireland 27-17 Wales
Indo Sport's Sinead Kissane, Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey assemble at The Aviva Stadium to assess Ireland's Six Nations win over Wales in the penultimate…
The Left WingIreland's next steps | Lethal France | England panic - and Italy's opportunity
Will, Luke and Ruaidhri O'Connor convene after the Six Nations break week to assesses how each team has looked through three rounds. France's devastating form…
The Left WingAndy Farrell's future | Ireland coaching candidates | More Munster upheaval
Will is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to discuss the prospect of Andy Farrell joining Saracens as head coach after the next World Cup. Whether 2027 would be the…
The Left WingIreland send a message, Andy Farrell's masterclass & England's collapse
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley convene to assess every aspect of Ireland's record win in Twickenham. Andy Farrell's selection masterclass, England's…
The Left WingIreland storm to record victory in Twickenham | Post-match reaction | 🌹 21 - 42 ☘️ | Six Nations 2026 🏉
Sinéad Kissane, Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey (happy with his pre-game prediction) convene in Twickenham after Ireland came away with a record victory in…
The Left WingAndy Farrell's out-half mistake and Ireland's Twickenham options
Cian Tracey joins Will and Luke after an Ireland performance against Italy that left questions to answer ahead of a trip to Twickenham that Cian feels may be…
The Left WingIreland survive serious Italy scare | Post-match reaction | Ireland 20-13 Italy | Six Nations 2026 🏉
Sinead Kissane, Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey assemble at the Aviva Stadium to assess Ireland's uninspiring 20-13 victory over Italy. If you'd like to get in…
The Left WingIreland team reaction | Andy Farrell wields the axe after Paris humbling
Will is joined by Cian Tracey to assess Ireland's team selection to face Italy on Saturday. Andy Farrell has made six changes to his starting XV, with four…
The Left WingIreland's lack of intent, stars under pressure & time to make changes
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley discuss Andy Farrell taking aim at Ireland's lack of intent against France and the changes he might make for the Italy game…
The Left WingIreland's systems failure, big questions to answer & majestic France
Will and Luke pick through Ireland's heavy defeat to France, with the aerial battle, defence and the team's skill level all on the menu. The lads also discuss…
The Left WingIreland suffer punishing defeat in Paris | Post-match reaction | France 36-14 Ireland
Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey join Sinead Kissane post-match at the Stade de France to pore over what was a chastening night for Andy Farrell's Irish side in…
The Left WingIreland's surprise selections, Stockdale's rebirth & France's new era
Will is joined by Luke Fitzgerald and Ruaidhri O'Connor from Paris to discuss Ireland's team selection to face France. Andy Farrell has sprung a number of…
The Left WingBumper Six Nations preview | Ireland red flags & the key questions
Rúaidhrí O'Connor is fresh from the Six Nations launch to join Will and Luke for this bumper edition previewing this year's tournament. Injury problems, the…