The Left Wing
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.
Bumper 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 Munster's dramatic draw in the URC on Saturday before turning attention to Europe. The strength of the French teams, Leinster's prospects, whether Munster and Connacht can make the knockout stage and the standard of the top Premiership teams is all on the menu. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia, you can get all the information on their latest competition here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 12
1 hr 8 min
Dan 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 Saturday. Dan also talks about how his leadership style has evolved after captaincy experiences with Leinster and the Lions, and what his life is like off the pitch. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 8
27 min
Munster'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 two games in South Africa, Ciaran Frawley's first outing for Connacht and some worrying scrum issues for Irish rugby are also on the menu. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 6
1 hr 5 min
IRFU'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 issues with the IRFU player management system after a number of young Connacht and Ulster players weren't available to play. The Stormers show of strength in Galway, the promise of Leinster's young guns and Munster's tough opening defeat to Glasgow are all on the menu too. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 28
1 hr 5 min
Leinster'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 Jacques Nienaber being lame ducks, Leinster's age profile and Ulster's Champions Cup target are all on the menu. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 22
57 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.
Sep 15
1 hr 3 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.
Sep 7
50 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 EnergiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 31
1 hr 5 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.
Aug 24
54 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.
Jul 21
1 hr 2 min
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