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 WingImproved Ireland, South Africa look north and Rhys Ruddock on his Six Nations omission
Improved Ireland, South Africa look north and Rhys Ruddock on his Six Nations omission On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke…
The Left WingGonzaga the giant-killers, quarter-final crackers and Roscommon rising
On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery is joined by Tony Ward and Des Berry for another schools rugby special. Gonzaga’s sensational win over…
The Left WingSame old Ireland, England's odd selections and why it's too early to crown France
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look back on the opening weekend of the Six Nations. Ireland got the win over…
The Left WingIreland's Six Nations target, a French revival and Ian Madigan's possible Ireland return
On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined on the line by Bristol out-half Ian Madigan to preview the Six…
The Left WingSchools rugby special - ‘The St Michael’s dream team are the side to beat’
On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery is joined by Tony Ward and Des Berry for a schools rugby preview. Tony has complied a bumper schools…
The Left WingThe Saracens scandal, Leinster's nightmare draw and Andy Farrell's tough calls
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald discuss the fallout to the Saracens salary cap scandal and look back at the final…
The Left WingLeinster's weak point, a new era for Ireland and Johann van Graan's future
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to review all the Champions Cup action and look…
The Left WingJohn Cooney vs Conor Murray, Munster's issues and Leinster's depth chart
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Cian Tracey to review all the festive inter-pros as well as…
The Left WingTeam of the Decade, Christmas derbies and new era for Ireland
On today's Left Wing Christmas special, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look ahead to the rugby over the festive period. Leinster's trip to Thomond Park to…
The Left WingAndy Farrell's stock-take, Rob Kearney's future and can Leinster complete a perfect season?
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald discuss Andy Farrell's first Ireland training squad, the Champions Cup action and…
The Left WingJohn Cooney on Ulster's European run and bouncing back from World Cup disappointment
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ulster scrum-half John Cooney to discuss his stellar season to date…
The Left WingThe problem with the Champions Cup, the Stephen Larkham effect and trouble in Welsh rugby
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey and Bernard Jackman to look ahead to a huge weekend of…
The Left WingAndy Farrell's big decisions, John Cooney vs Conor Murray and Champions Cup power rankings
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look back on another successful Champions Cup weekend for the Irish sides. Munster…
The Left WingImpressive Irish Champions cup wins, will Stockdale be an all-time great & Zebo’s return to Munster
It’s back to the bosom of European rugby where all is warm and comforting for Irish teams who get to win their games again and on this week’s Left Wing, Luke…
The Left WingChampions Cup preview, the World Cup hangover and Joe Schmidt's next team
On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey and Ruaidhri O'Connor to preview the new season of the…
The Left WingBen Te’o on England’s World Cup defeat, Eddie Jones and his Toulon adventure
Former England centre, Ben Te’o joined Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus McFadden and Will Slattery on this week’s Left Wing podcast as they looked back on England’s…
The Left WingRWC Daily: The final pod: Springboks blow the Chariot to smithereens
It's all over and South Africa are the world champions after a sensational final performance in Yokohama. Ruaidhri O'Connor and Jonathan Bradley were there to…
The Left WingRWC Daily: The Big One
It's finally here. No, not the third/fourth place play-off, but tomorrow's Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama.In their penultimate podcast from Japan, Ruaidhri…
The Left WingThe Left Wing Rugby World Cup Final Preview: Arise Sir Eddie
Much as you might hate to admit it, England are on course to win the Rugby World Cup and you have to admire the way they're going about it. On this week's Left…
The Left WingRWC Daily: And then there were two
It's the final week of the World Cup and, after two contrasting semi-finals set up an England v South Africa World Cup final, Ruaidhri O'Connor and Jonathan…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Can anyone stop the three-peat?
The show goes on in Tokyo and the World Cup semi-finals are upon us. It's been a week of heavyweight press conferences in Japan and Jonathan Bradley and…
The Left WingWith the fall from grace, the clear-out begins
It’s been a bad week for Jaco Peyper but an even worse one for Irish rugby. Another Rugby World Cup and another quarter-final exit. Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus…
The Left WingRWC Daily: The end of the road
In the final episode of the The Left Wing daily, Ruaidhri O'Connor is joined by Cian Tracey who like Ireland, is leaving Japan sooner than planned. The lads…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Sayanora for Ireland
The Joe Schmidt era is over and it has ended in a crushing defeat to New Zealand that sees them march on to the World Cup semi-final and Ireland in the…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Is Schmidt's legacy on the line?
Ireland's World Cup is on the line in Tokyo tomorrow and Johnny Sexton led a one-man Captain's Run at the venue where they'll meet the All Blacks. We hear from…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Could Ireland pull this off?
The teams has been named and Saturday's World Cup quarter-final between Ireland and the All Blacks is getting closer. Ruaidhri O'Connor, Jonathan Bradley and…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Bumper quarter-final preview
With Ireland and New Zealand taking a day off in Tokyo before team announcements tomorrow, Jonathan Bradley, Cian Tracey and Ruaidhri O'Connor take a look at…
The Left WingIrish rugby's biggest week, is an upset on the cards?
We're down to the business end of the Rugby World Cup and it's not South Africa, but New Zealand, that Ireland are facing, so what chance does Joe Schmidt's…
The Left WingRWC Daily: The fall out of Bundee's ban
Cian Tracey, Ruaidhri O'Connor, and Jonathan Bradley are on hand to discuss the fall out of Bundee Aki's three-game ban and what it means for Ireland's World…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Quarter-final fever
It's taken a while, but the knock-outs are finally upon us as Ireland travelled to Tokyo from Fukuoka to prepare for the game of their lives against New…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Another farce to melt Joe Schmidt's mind
As if the Rugby World Cup couldn't offer up any more farce, Cian Tracey and Jonathan Bradley report on a "disgraceful" playing surface in Fukuoka where Ireland…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Hagibis leaves the World Cup in disarray
Ireland have named their team, but with two games already cancelled and a third very much at risk Cian Tracey, Jonathan Bradley and Ruaidhri O'Connor discuss…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Pool A permutations as top teams continue to widen the gap
After watching Scotland hammer Russia, Ruaidhri O'Connor, Cian Tracey and Jonathan Bradley are on hand to run through the permutations for Ireland's…
The Left WingCan Ireland pick themselves up again and what has Joe Schmidt learned from 2015?
Ireland have taken their hits so far in this World Cup but the question remains whether they can pick themselves up for the rest of the tournament. On this…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Storm fears ease as Ireland ramp up for Samoa
Cian Tracey, Ruaidhri O'Connor and Jonathan Bradley are back together as they take the podcast to an outdoor setting along Naka River in Fukuoka. The Typhoon…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Typhoon threatens to derail Ireland's World Cup
As Typhoon Hagibis tracks its way towards Japan, Cian Tracey is joined by Jonathan Bradley (Belfast Telegraph) and Ruth Gorman (UTV) to discuss the storm's…
The Left WingRWC Daily: The morning after the night before
Today's a travel day for Ireland and their press pack and that means we're on the road to Fukuoka. Before departure, Cian Tracey and Jonathan Bradley join…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Mistake after mistake in the Misaki
Ireland won 35-0 against Russia in the Kobe Misaki Stadium, but there wasn't much to be positive from a sloppy performance despite Joe Schmidt putting a brave…
The Left WingRWC Daily: 'Back on track and ready to prove a point'
Ruaidhri O'Connor and Alan Quinlan were at Ireland's Captain's Run to hear assistant coach Andy Farrell's views on the defeat to Japan and the state of…
The Left WingThe chance to put things right, Michael Cheika impressions and Luke on Nelson Mandela's laugh?
The feel-good factor has gone again and suddenly Group A has got interesting. This week on the Left Wing, Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus McFadden and Will Slattery…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Sexton returns to get the show back on the road
Ruaidhri O'Connor takes a turn in the hot seat and is joined by Cian Tracey and Jonathan Bradley to chat about the Ireland team to face Russia on Thursday. The…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Ireland’s Kobe conundrum
Ireland have moved to Kobe as preparations for the Russia game on Thursday ramp up. Cian Tracey is joined by Jonathan Bradley as they look back on the shock…
The Left WingRWC Daily: EMERGENCY PODCAST - Japan stun Ireland in Shizuoka
Ireland's World Cup hit a major speed-bump as Japan turned up the noise on an unforgettable night at the Ecopa Stadium. Cian Tracey is joined by Ruaidhri…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Fears for Conan as Ireland set for hosts showdown
There are growing concerns surrounding Jack Conan's ankle injury as Cian Tracey, Ruaidhri O'Connor and Jonathan Bradley discuss the implications of the setback…
The Left WingRWC Daily: A tale of two Jacks - Carty starts but Conan ruled out
Joe Schmidt has named his team to face hosts Japan in Saturday's clash at the Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka and the big news is that Jack Carty starts at out-half…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Springboks, shocks and a spot of karaoke
Ireland took a day off their media duties in Shizuoka, which gave Cian Tracey the chance to catch up with a few familiar faces in Nagoya where South Africa are…
The Left WingThe James Ryan factor, how South Africa can be targeted and being the old man in dressing-room
The Rugby World Cup has begun and it started with a bang. From Ireland's complete performance against Scotland to New Zealand beating South Africa and France…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Sexton fears and Japanese confidence
Ireland have moved out of the city and into the country where they give their latest update today. Cian Tracey, Ruaidhri O'Connor and Jonathan Bradley were on…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Bullets trains as Ireland spread wings
The World Cup is in full flow and Joe Schmidt’s men are on the march. Cian Tracey and Ruaidhri O’Connor are on the move after the win over Scotland sets…
The Left WingRWC daily: Impact subs and a strong bench for Scotland
Cian and Jonathan had to rush to the World Cup opening ceremony, to we've gone to our bench as Ruaidhri is joined by Alan Quinlan and Billy Keane to reflect on…
The Left WingRWC daily: Impact subs and a strong team for Scotland
Cian and Jonathan had to rush to the World Cup opening ceremony, to we've gone to our bench as Ruaidhri is joined by Alan Quinlan and Billy Keane to reflect on…
The Left WingRWC daily: Tales from Yokohama as the big kick-off draws closer
Blurb: Cian Tracey and Ruaidhri O'Connor have added Jonathan Bradley from the Belfast Telegraph to their line-up. The lads discuss first their impressions of…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Tokyo drift and back three blues
Just another day of drama at the World Cup where Wales have lost a coach and the Ireland back-three is looking depleted ahead of the opening weekend. Ruaidhri…
The Left WingIreland's fullback dilemma, World Cup bonding and the squad standby list
On this week's episode of The Left Wing in association with Aldi, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by their World Cup-signing, Fergus…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Kearney injury scare and a Ruddock brothers special
Cian Tracey and Ruaidhri O'Connor are back after another night of breaking Ireland injury news as Rob Kearney becomes the latest doubt for Sunday's opener…
The Left WingRWC Daily: Henshaw injury, sumo and gloomy weather forecasts
Independent.ie's Cian Tracey and Ruaidhri O’Connor are in Chiba and they’re getting used to life in Japan where Ireand are not giving up hope on injured star…
The Left WingThe blow-ins v home-grown players debate continues and why the quarters will be as good as it gets
Before heading off to the Far East on their great Rugby World Cup adventure, the Irish Independent’s Ruaidhri O’Connor and Cian Tracy joined Luke Fitzgerald…
The Left WingRWC preview - Ireland ready to end pre-season on a high
As Ireland gear up for their final warm-up game against Wales before they depart for Japan next week, Cian Tracey and Jonathan Bradley discuss the importance…
The Left Wing‘I guarantee you players don’t feel right about Joe’s decision’ Luke Fitzgerald on Devin Toner
Fresh from being called a xenophobic, Brexit-eering, Boris Johnson wannabe, Luke Fitzgerald is back on the Left Wing with Will Slattery this week to defend and…
The Left Wing2019 RWC preview - Schmidt rings the changes
After Ireland's record defeat to England at Twickenham, Joe Schmidt has picked his team for the redemption mission against Wales in Cardiff. Cian Tracey…