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 WingWhere do Ireland go from here? | More discipline problems | France front up
Will Slattery, Luke Fitzgerald and Jonathan Bradley run the rule over a crushing defeat for Ireland, where France's superior discipline counted. The team also…
The Left WingRampant France power past Ireland | Post-match reaction | ☘️ 27-42 🇫🇷
Sinead Kissane, Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey convene at The Aviva Stadium after France emphatically ended Ireland's Grand Slam aspirations with a dominant…
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Ireland's bench call | Pressure on France | The problem with 7/1
Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery are joined by Jonathan Bradley as we build up to the Six Nations-defining clash between Ireland and France this Saturday. Sam…
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Ireland's resilience | Red card farce | Porter's scrum problem
We're ahead of the game this week as Will Slattery, Luke Fitzgerald and Rúaidhrí O'Connor bring you this week's Left Wing on a Monday where the rugby world is…
The Left WingInstant Reaction: Ireland 'got out of jail' as they leave Wales with Triple Crown in hand
Ireland are Triple Crown champions after a nervy victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium. Sinéad Kissane, Cian Tracey and Rúaidhrí O'Connor break down…
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Simon Easterby's future | Should Ireland rotate? | Warren Gatland's demise
We are days away from Ireland's journey to Cardiff as the Six Nations continues against a Wales team that have been through a tumultuous time. Will and Luke…
The Left WingIreland's Six Nations statement, Sam Prendergast's defence and France blow up
Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Jonathan Bradley to reflect on Ireland's dominant win over Scotland that saw them take control of the Six…
The Left WingScots dismantled by dominant Ireland display — Post-match reaction — Scotland 18-32 Ireland
Sinead Kissane, Cian Tracey & Ruaidhri O'Connor convene at Murrayfield after Ireland etched an emphatic win in Edinburgh, and another bonus point in what could…
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Ireland's room to improve, Prendergast vs Crowley and Scotland selection
Luke Fitzgerald, Will Slattery and Cian Tracey discuss all the major talking points after Ireland's opening Six Nations win over England. Cian and Will feel…
The Left WingSecond-half salvo steers Ireland past England — Post-match reaction — Ireland 27-22 England
Sinead Kissane is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey at the Aviva Stadium after Ireland turned the tide to topple England in their Six Nations opener…
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Ireland's style vs Leinster's identity and Six Nations selection dilemmas
Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor from Ireland's training camp in Portugal to preview the Six Nations championship and…
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Garry Ringrose the winger, Jack Crowley bounces back and the Six Nations looms large
Rúaidhrí O'Connor was on the phone from Rome in this week's episode of the Left Wing as he checked in from the Six Nations launch event in the Italian capital…
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Leinster's ferocious defence, game management issues and Munster's comeback
Luke and Will are joined by Jonathan Bradley of BBC Northern Ireland to break down a thrilling weekend of Champions Cup action. The panel start by looking back…
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Champions Cup blockbusters, Tom O'Toole's harsh ban and rugby's new rules
Luke Fitzgerald and BBC Sport's Jonathan Bradley join Will Slattery as the Irish provinces gear up for this weekend's European action. The team break down…
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Leinster's defence, Harry Byrne's move and Ulster's timely win
The festive Interpro action is all on the menu for Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald for the final Left Wing of 2024. The team give their verdicts on Munster's…
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Lineout disaster, Munster mauled and RG Snyman restrictions
Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery are joined by Cian Tracey, who has returned from Munster’s defeat in Castres with stories of off-field treats and on-field…
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How Jordie Barrett changes Leinster’s back line | Munster’s chance in France
Luke Fitzgerald joins Will Slattery after the opening weekend of Champions Cup action where the performances of RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett put a spanner in…
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Ireland's issues, lineout struggles and Champions Cup preview
Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery are joined by Jonathan Bradley of BBC NI to give the full review of Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series. The team break down why…
The Left WingInstant Reaction: Gus McCarthy gets it done but Ireland need work before Six Nations
Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinead Kissane in the Aviva Stadium to break down Ireland’s final Autumn Series game, a late victory against Joe…
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Eoin Toolan Interview | Life inside Joe Schmidt’s Australia camp
Wallabies Head of Analysis & Skills Coach Eoin Toolan joins Will to give his insights into life as a coach in the Australia set-up, including how he deals with…
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Ireland’s good vibes, red card controversy and Joe Schmidt returns
Cian Tracey, Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery assemble after an Ireland performance that has the world putting Sam Prendergast under the microscope ahead of…
The Left WingIreland dispel Fiji threat with emphatic eight-try display — Post-match reaction — Ireland 52-17 Fiji
Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey join Sinead Kissane to debrief events at The Aviva Stadium after Ireland racked up eight tries in a convincing victory over…
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Ireland's discipline problem, Sam Prendergast hype and the second-half slump
Managing 10s, finding room for green shoots and dealing with Fijian threats are all on the menu this week as Mike Sherry joins Will Slattery and Luke…
The Left WingScoreless second half for Ireland as they just hold off Argentina | Instant reaction
Sinéad Kissane is joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor & Cian Tracey at the Aviva Stadium after Ireland managed to hold on and secure victory over a resilient Pumas…
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Tetchy Andy Farrell, red card madness and are Ireland in a slump?
Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery pick through where everything went wrong for Ireland against New Zealand. Luke thinks it was a one-off bad…
The Left WingAll Blacks triumph as Ireland fail to fire — Post-match reaction — Ireland 13-23 New Zealand
Sinead Kissane is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey at the Aviva Stadium after Ireland's 19-game home winning run came to an end at the hands of the…
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November questions, Ireland's depth and All Blacks preview with Kieran Read
Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery are joined by All Blacks legend Kieran Read to preview Ireland vs New Zealand on the latest Left Wing podcast. Luke and Will…
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Could Graham Rowntree’s departure send Munster into crisis mode? Reaction w/ Mike Sherry
Will Slattery is back from his travels to join Sinéad Kissane and Luke Fitzgerald on the Left Wing - and what a week to return. Former Munster hooker Mike…
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Reacting to Leo Cullen’s new contract | Ireland need to blood the young guns
On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and Cian Tracey joined Luke Fitzgerald ahead of the Ireland squad announcement, where the team ask if Andy…
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Fire lit under Ciarán Frawley as Leinster beat Munster in sell-out
On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and Rúaidhrí O’Connor joined Luke Fitzgerald to rebuff claims that the Leinster/Munster rivalry is dead, break…
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RG Snyman the ‘poster boy’ for a Leinster/Munster rivalry back up and running
On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and David Kelly joined Luke Fitzgerald to preview this weekend’s pair of Interpro derbies, with Munster set to…
The Left WingThe Paul O’Connell interview - Introducing Indo Sport
We want to introduce Indo Daily listeners to our brand-new sister podcast, Indo Sport. It’s free, it’s daily Monday to Friday and features the best sporting…
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Ireland's win over Black Ferns can be a ‘catalyst’ - and so can Munster’s loss
On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and David Kelly joined Luke Fitzgerald in the aftermath of a historic victory by the Irish women over New…
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Ireland on top of the world as ‘sloppy’ Munster win interpro thriller
On this episode of the Left Wing, Rúaidhrí O’Connor joined Luke Fitzgerald to break down the first week of URC action, and ask if Leinster are using their…
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New season but same selection dilemmas for Irish 10s
The 2024/25 season is upon us and so is the new season of the Left Wing. Rúaidhrí O’Connor joined Luke Fitzgerald to assess where expectations lie in each…
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We select our Lions Test team to take on Australia
On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery select their Lions team to take on Australia next summer. With…
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Ireland's U-20 logjam, Keenan vs Osborne and the Jordie Barrett question
Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery answer readers' questions on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. How to give gametime to Ireland's U-20…
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Ciaran Frawley's future, Ireland's achievement and Andy Farrell's triumph
Ruaidhri O'Connor joins Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to reflect on Ireland's famous win over South Africa on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast…
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Instant reaction: Ciaran Frawley drop goal seals famous win in South Africa
Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Will Slattery to digest Ireland's famous win in South Africa after Ciaran Frawley's late drop goal. See…
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Ireland team reaction - Andy Farrell drops Peter O'Mahony for Springboks rematch
Ruaidhri O'Connor joins Will Slattery to discuss the Ireland team announcement and Andy Farrell's decision to drop Peter O'Mahony for the second Test against…
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Caelan Doris vs Luke Pearce, Irish mistakes and South Africa's new style
Ireland's relationship with referees is in the spotlight after the opening Test match defeat to the Springboks on Saturday. Luke Fitzgerald and Ruaidhri…
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Instant reaction: Springboks finally beat Ireland after drama in Pretoria
Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Will Slattery on The Left Wing podcast to discuss Ireland's narrow defeat to South Africa in the first Test in…
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Andy Farrell drops selection bombshell with Jamie Osborne at fullback
Jamie Osborne has been handed a shock debut at fullback as Andy Farrell named the Ireland team to face the Springboks. Ruaidhri O'Connor joins Will Slattery on…
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Can Ireland win a Test match in South Africa?
Luke Fitzgerald, Ruaidhri O'Connor and Will Slattery give their verdict on Ireland's chances in South Africa on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast…
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Ireland's selection decisions and Leinster's out-half problem
Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery look ahead to Ireland's Test series against South Africa on the latest episode of The Left Wing. Despite the…
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Ireland select squad for Springboks after a bad weekend for Leinster and Munster
Leinster and Munster's URC semi-final defeats and Ireland's squad announcement were up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Ruaidhri…
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Altitude and Warriors stand in the way of an all-Irish final
Rúaidhrí O’Connor join Cian Tracey and Luke Fitzgerald to assess the chances of a Leinster v Munster decider in the URC. Leinster have logistical headaches and…
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Sam Prendergast's future, Munster's home advantage and Hugo Keenan's Sevens switch
Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery look ahead to the URC playoffs on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Munster are in the box seat after securing top…
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How did Leinster lose another Champions Cup final?
Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery break down Leinster's dramatic Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse on the latest episode of The Left Wing…
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Heartbreak once again for Leinster - live reaction from Tottenham
There was more Champions Cup final heartbreak for Leinster this weekend. They were beaten 31 points to 22 after extra time by Toulouse in an epic final at the…
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Reaction in Tottenham as Leinster and Toulouse name their squads
The stage is set for the first Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse tomorrow in London. Leinster are going for their fifth title when they play…
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Champions Cup final preview - can Leinster finally end their European drought?
On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Ruaidhri O'Connor, Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery preview Leinster vs Toulouse in the Champions Cup final…
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Why Munster look primed for another URC title
Munster's rich vein of form is a main topic of discussion on this week's episode of The Left Wing where Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Tracey join Will Slattery…
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Leinster's lucky Croke Park escape, as a difficult Toulouse final awaits
Leinster nervously inched their way closer to a fifth European Champions Cup, after a nail-biting finish at GAA HQ on Saturday evening. A James Lowe hat trick…
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Leinster's selection policy, Croke Park showdown and Munster's hot streak
Leinster's selection policy ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final is a big topic of discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing. Luke Fitzgerald…
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The planning starts now for the Women’s Rugby World Cup
It was a memorable weekend for Ireland after they secured automatic qualification for next year's World Cup in England. Scott Bemand's team finished third in…
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Munster’s statement victory, is the central contracts model working and Leinster repeating past mistakes?
After Munster's performance in Loftus, can their win over the Bulls be the catalyst for a URC defence and what about the difference RG Snyman makes? Cian…
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Ireland have to pick themselves up for their biggest game of the year
England dished out a 88-10 hammering to Ireland in the Women's Six Nations at Twickenham last weekend. The world number one-ranked team completely overwhelmed…
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Leinster make La Rochelle statement - but should they be allowed sign Jordie Barrett?
Leinster's emphatic win over La Rochelle and their blockbuster signing of Jordie Barrett are up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing. Rúaidhrí…
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Wales put to the sword by Ireland Women’s team but England await
Ireland have jumped to third in the Women's Six Nations table after their excellent bonus point win over Wales at Musgrave Park on Saturday. Ireland scored…