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.
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
New 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 and discuss whether this result means Ireland are definitively behind the big three of South Africa, France and New Zealand. Rugby on the Indo Sport podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 18
31 min
Disjointed 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 performance, the lineout struggles and whether Andy Farrell made too many changes is all on the menu. The lads then move onto next weekend's game in Auckland, where Ireland will bid to become the first team to beat the All Blacks in Eden Park in the professional era. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 13
1 hr 2 min
Ireland 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 handed the ten jersey and four uncapped players - Sean Jansen, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Bryn Ward - all in the 23. The lads also discuss the lack of depth at outside centre, with veteran Robbie Henshaw given the 13 jersey this Saturday in place of Garry Ringrose. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 9
29 min
Ireland'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 were able to come away with a victory despite a strong Wallabies performance and look ahead to next weekend's clash with Japan - with Eddie Jones already starting the mind games. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 7
1 hr
Ireland 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 wing, Cian Prendergast's big opportunity and Ireland's stacked bench are all on the menu. The lads also discuss the Australian team selection as well as Joe Schmidt's comments about whether he would be interested in replacing Leo Cullen. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2
39 min
Ireland'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 selection talking points, assess where Ireland are at ahead of their three-match tour and also weigh in on Leo Cullen's long goodbye from Leinster. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 30
1 hr 2 min
Dominant 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 about this Leinster performance as the team assess whether Sam Prendergast can build into the summer, and where Leinster’s season can be evaluated on the whole. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 21
1 hr 7 min
Leinster 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 Sam Prendergast's outing at 10 a highlight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 20
26 min
Irish 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 Ireland squad announcement for the summer tour. Luke questions Tyler Bleyendaal's contribution as Leinster attack coach given the recent criticism of Jacques Nienaber, the lads debate the reasons behind James Lowe's departure and discuss the areas Leinster will need to get right to beat the Bulls. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 16
1 hr 4 min
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