The Left Wing

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 talent, where Leinster should play Jordie Barrett and whether there is pressure on Paul O'Connell are all topics of discussion. The lads then finish off by asking whether Hugo Keenan should regain his Ireland place in November or if Jamie Osborne should hold onto the 15 jersey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Ciaran Frawley was the hero with a late drop goal and once again his future at Leinster is a big topic of discussion. The lads break down Ireland's stellar first half, South Africa's comeback and the key role Andy Farrell played in the victory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 the Springboks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland's relationship with referees is in the spotlight after the opening Test match defeat to the Springboks on Saturday. Luke Fitzgerald and Ruaidhri O'Connor joined Will Slattery on The Left Wing podcast, with Caelan Doris' interactions with referee Luke Pearce a major discussion point. South Africa's more attacking style of play also caught the eye, although Luke thinks it might be a mistake for the Springboks to move too far away from a power game. The lads finish off by looking ahead to the second Test in Durban this Saturday and discuss what changes Andy Farrell might make after a suffering a number of injuries on SaturdaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Pretoria. Two costly errors from James Lowe in the second half saw the Springboks score a brace of vital tries and the lads are on hand to pick through all the talking points from a dramatic encounter. There were contentious TMO calls, some strong Irish play and some areas of concern as thoughts now turn towards the second Test next weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 The Left Wing podcast to discuss the stern test the Naas youngster will face in Pretoria. Craig Casey starts at scrum-half ahead of Conor Murray while Farrell has opted for a 5/3 bench split with Garry Ringrose wearing the number 23 jersey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. The lads preview the first Test, which takes place in Pretoria on Saturday, and discuss the budding rivalry between Ireland and the Springboks. Rassie Erasmus' team selection, areas of concern for Ireland and the Champions Cup draw are all up for discussion too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 club season ending on a sour note for the Irish provinces, Luke thinks that Andy Farrell can build his players up to take on the Springboks. The lads discuss some of the selection dilemmas facing Farrell such as at full back, scrum-half and the back five of the scrum. They then finish up by looking at the Leinster log-jam at out-half featuring Ciaran Frawley, Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne and Sam Prendergast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to pick through a very disappointing weekend for Irish rugby. Luke says Leinster have major questions to answer after a third season without a trophy while Cian says that Munster got their team selection badly wrong for the semi-final loss to Glasgow. Andy Farrell has also named his Ireland squad for the tour to South Africa, and the lads are mixed on whether it is a strong enough selection to beat the Springboks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 altitude to contend with as they travel to face the Bulls in Loftus Versfeld - Luke remembers how playing at such heights can impact your body. Meanwhile - Munster can make most of their partnerships; who Andy Farrell may pick to face the Springboks; should Simon Zebo get a call-up? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 seeding with an exciting win over Ulster and the lads think the Thomond Park factor could see them defend their URC crown. Leinster will have to do it the hard way with a likely trip to South Africa if they beat Ulster in the quarter-finals, with the future of young out-half Sam Prendergast still a big talking point. Hugo Keenan's Sevens switch, Connacht's poor finish to the season and Ulster's resurgence under Richie Murphy are up for discussion too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 podcast. Poor handling, bad decision making, and some heroic Toulouse defence saw the French side triumph in extra time. The lads discuss all the major talking points after Leinster's third successive Champions Cup final loss, including the pressure on Leo Cullen and attack coach Andrew Goodman, who is now taking up a role with Ireland. The URC is still in play for Leinster, but the question is whether they can bounce back from their latest heart-breaking defeat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Sinéad Kissane to discuss another lost final for Leinster with Antoine Dupont producing a man-of-the-match performance to lead the French side to a sixth title.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 the French side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Sinéad Kissane at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to discuss the team selections and give their final thoughts on what should be an epic game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Leinster's record in deciders has not been good in the last few years and Ruaidhri thinks the psychological baggage they are carrying could be significant. Luke says Jacques Nienaber's defensive influence could be a deciding factor while the lads also talk through all the big team selection talking points. The URC playoff race, Simon Zebo's retirement and Sam Prendergast's possible loan move are all up for discussion too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Just like last season, Graham Rowntree's men have timed their URC run nicely, and after a big win over Connacht, their title defence looks in a great place. It's a different story for Connacht, who face a must-win game against the Stomers after an abject showing in Limerick. The lads also look ahead to Ulster vs Leinster this weekend after both teams enjoyed impressive wins last Saturday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 capped an impressive first 60 minutes in style, but why did things fall apart as the final whistle approached? Will Luke and Cian discuss how a 37 minute period without a score will be punished by a better team than Northampton. Leinster will now line up against a very tricky Toulouse team for the final, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, May 25th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Will Slattery discuss whether Leo Cullen made a mistake in resting so many starters for the recent trip to South Africa and break down some of the big selection talking points for the semi-final at Croke Park. Meanwhile, Munster continued their strong record in South Africa and look primed for another URC title tilt while Ulster's form under Richie Murphy leaves them in danger of missing out on a playoff place. Plus, why Croke Park can be a hindrance for kickers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 the Women's Six Nations table which also means they will play in Tier 1 of the WXV competition later this year. Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly joined Sinéad Kissane on the Left Wing podcast to review the campaign and discuss what needs to be done for Ireland to become World Cup ready. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.