The Left Wing

After twelve years, Munster have ended their trophy drought in spectacular fashion with a 19-14 win over the Stormers in South Africa. Rúaidhrí O’Connor joins Sinéad Kissane from Cape Town after the final whistle with all the reaction and analysis to a momentous night for the Irish province. Don’t forget, Will and Luke are back next Wednesday for their final show of the season and if you want to get in touch, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @RuaidhriOC and @SinéadKissane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2,000 Munster fans have made the long trip to South Africa for their URC final against the Stormers on Saturday, but what can the Irish fans expect come the final whistle? Rúaidhrí O’Connor is in Cape Town and he joins Sinéad Kissane on the Left Wing podcast with the latest team news and insights from the camp. Calvin Nash, Malakai Fekitoa and Conor Murray have all been recalled to the starting XV with RG Snyman kept on the bench for the clash against the Stormers and despite the tough task ahead, Rúaidhrí reckons Munster have it in them to go all the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery, Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Tracey look back on Saturday's Champions Cup final. In one of the greatest finals ever, Leinster lost out by a point as La Rochelle made it two in a row at the Aviva Stadium. Leinster blew a 17-point lead and there are plenty of questions about the squad's mental strength after another Champions Cup collapse. La Rochelle's brilliance, the impact the defeat could have on Ireland's World Cup campaign and whether Ross Byrne should have attempted a late drop goal are all up for discussion. The lads then finish up with a look ahead to Munster's URC final against the Stormers. Sinéad Kissane and Rúaidhrí O’Connor will be back on Friday to preview Munster’s URC final against the Stormers plus they’ll have the post-match analysis right after the final whistle on Saturday. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @RuaidhriOC and @SinéadKissane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 12 minutes of the Champions Cup final surely no one saw this coming. Leinster were 17-0 up and cruising but somehow they snatched defeat from such a strong position. Rúaidhrí O’Connor joins Sinéad Kissane from the Aviva Stadium right after the final whistle to dissect where it all went wrong for Leinster who finish this season empty-handed and with more question marks over their mentality than ever before. Don’t forget to join Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery on Wednesday for their in-depth review and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @RuaidhriOC and @SinéadKissane. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts from.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With twelve changes to the Leinster team that were beaten by Munster in last week’s URC semi-final, Leo Cullen has named as strong a starting XV as expected, but will it be enough to depose their conquerors of the last two seasons, La Rochelle? Cian Tracey joins Sinéad Kissane on the latest Left Wing podcast to go through the Leinster team and bench and although home advantage will be huge, he cautions that this version of La Rochelle is even better than last year and thinks that might be the difference. Don’t forget to join Sinéad and Rúaidhrí O’Connor for the post-match show from the Aviva stadium tomorrow right after the final whistle while Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery will have their weekly in-depth analysis on Wednesday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by former Leinster and Ireland star Dan Leavy to preview the Champions Cup final. Leinster vs La Rochelle is a rematch a year in the making and the lads discuss the key tactical battles, selection issues and coaching decisions that could dictate the outcome. They also look back on Munster's dramatic URC semi-final win over Leinster, with Luke critical of Leo Cullen's team selection. Dan also talks about his life after rugby following his retirement last year. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @RuaidhriOC and @SinéadKissane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Jonathan Bradley to look back on the URC quarter-finals. They kick things off with a post-mortem on Ulster's season after their disappointing home defeat to Connacht. Where do Ulster go from here and is head coach Dan McFarland the right man to lead them forward? Luke and Jonathan then pay tribute to Connacht's great win and the job Andy Friend has done as the head coach before his departure at the end of the current campaign. The lads finish things with a look ahead to Leinster vs Munster in the URC semi-finals - what team will Leo Cullen pick and can Graham Rowntree's men spring an upset? If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor with an in-depth review of Leinster's big win over Toulouse and the areas where the French giants fell short. The chat then turns to how Leo Cullen should select his team for the challenges to come ahead of the final in three weeks' time - should he rotate his squad or go with his strongest team? Luke lauds Ronan O'Gara's coaching ability after La Rochelle booked their place in a third consecutive Champions Cup final. Munster's URC quarter-final clash with Glasgow, Ulster and Connacht's showdown and Greg McWilliams' Ireland exit are all up for discussion too. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

0 points, 5 heavy defeats, and the worst points difference in their history in the Six Nations, what does the future hold for the Irish women’s rugby team? After the team’s fifth and final defeat to Scotland over the weekend, Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly join Sinéad Kissane on the latest Left Wing podcast to discuss the result and the wider issue for Irish women’s rugby. Never mind England or France, it is Wales, Scotland and Italy who must be caught up with and the 2023 Six Nations must prove to be the tipping point going forwards. On the next episode of the Left Wing on Wednesday, Will and Luke will have their in-depth discussion of the rugby week and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Leinster team to face Toulouse in their Champions Cup semi-final on Saturday has been named and a late injury sees Robbie Henshaw joining Johnny Sexton and James Lowe on the sidelines. Rúaidhrí O’Connor is with Sinéad Kissane on the latest Left Wing podcast to go through the starting XV, he discusses why All Black Charlie Ngatai has come in for Henshaw and why he thinks the advantage now rests with Toulouse. Don’t forget to join Luke Fitzgerald for his in-depth review of the game on next Wednesday’s show, while Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly will be with Sinéad on Monday to look back on the Irish Women’s final Six Nations game against Scotland. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look ahead to Leinster vs Toulouse. The Aviva Stadium hosts a battle between the two most successful teams in Champions Cup history on Saturday and the lads discuss what Leinster need to do to come out on the right side of the result. Leo Cullen's selection dilemmas, Leinster's heavy defeat to the Bulls and Munster's heroics in South Africa are all up for discussion too. On the next episode of the Left Wing on Monday, Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly will be looking back on the Ireland Women’s 2023 Six Nations campaign. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re down to the final week of the Women’s Six Nations and it has been a tournament loaded with reality checks and harsh lessons for Ireland. After their 48-0 defeat to England at Musgrave Park, Ireland play Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday evening bottom of the table on zero points. Former Ireland player Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly of Scrumqueens.com join Sinéad Kissane to discuss another chastening weekend for the Irish women’s rugby team, plus they also discuss the protest at Musgrave Park and the confiscation of fliers by security staff with the image of ‘I Give an F’ on them. On the next episode of the Left Wing on Wednesday, Will and Luke will have their in-depth discussion of the rugby week and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to pick through all the talking points from the latest round of URC action. There is the big news that Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber will replace Stuart Lancaster in the Leinster set-up next season - it's certainly a big statement but is it a good fit style wise? Munster also got their season back on track with an impressive win in South Africa - is it too late in the campaign for them to really go for silverware? The possibility of an orange card being introduced for the Rugby World Cup is also up for debate, and the lads have strong views on whether it would be a good thing. On the next episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad will be back on Monday, joined by Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly, to look back on Ireland Women’s Six Nations clash against England and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no end to the run of deflating defeats for Ireland in this Women’s Six Nations. They were beaten by Italy 24 points to 7 in Parma on Saturday which was just the second time that Ireland have lost to Italy in the Women’s Six Nations. It’s three games, three defeats, no points on the board and they have England up next at Musgrave Park this weekend. Former Ireland player, Anna Caplice, and Ali Donnelly of Scrumqueens.com join Sinéad Kissane to discuss how Ireland can pick themselves up and prepare for England. On the next episode of the Left Wing on Wednesday, Will and Luke will have their in-depth discussion of rugby week and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Jonathan Bradley from the Belfast Telegraph to discuss all the latest Champions Cup action. Leinster advanced to the Champions Cup semi-final in style after thrashing Leicester on Good Friday, with Leicester coach Richard Wigglesworth making waves with his comments about the Irish side's budget. Luke and Jonathan give their view on the comments, which came a week after Ulster coach Dan McFarland made reference to Leinster's 'demographic' advantage in Ireland. Elsewhere, the South African teams' impact on the Champions Cup and Ulster's end of season chances are up for discussion too. On the next episode of the Left Wing, Sinead will be back on Monday and joined by Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly to look back on Ireland Women’s Six Nations clash against Italy and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Rúaidhrí O'Connor look ahead to the Champions Cup quarter-finals. Leinster have named their team to face Leicester and the big talking point is Caelan Doris getting the seven jersey for the first time. That means that despite his strong form, Scott Penny has to settle for a place on the bench - what does he have to do to get a start? The pressure on Dan Sheehan to stay fit and the impressive showing by the Stormers and Sharks are topics of discussion too. On the next episode of the Left Wing, Will and Luke Fitzgerald will be back with their in-depth analysis on Wednesday and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look back on the Champions Cup action. Leinster marched on to the quarter-finals after sweeping Ulster aside and the gap between Leo Cullen's men and the rest of the Irish provinces has never looked bigger. What can the other Irish teams do to close the gap? While Ulster didn't fire a shot against Leinster, Munster had a similarly disappointing day in South Africa after conceding 50 points to the Sharks. Can Munster turn things around between now and the end of the season? The Left Wing will be back on Thursday with the Champions Cup quarter-final team news ahead of Leinster’s Good Friday clash against Leicester, and if you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the opening two-week block of the Women’s Six Nations finished with, it doesn’t make for pretty reading for Ireland. After a record margin defeat to France at Musgrave Park, 53 points to 3, Ireland are bottom of the table on points difference with zero points. They’ve a week off and then are away to Italy, home to England and finish away to Scotland. So how can Ireland pick themselves up and where do they go from here? Former international, Anna Caplice, and Ali Donnelly of Scrumqueens.com join Sinéad Kissane to discuss. Don’t forget to join Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald for their weekly in-depth rugby discussion on Wednesday, while there will also be a Champions Cup preview show on Thursday. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s back to Europe for the Irish players and the provinces this weekend with the round of 16 in the Champions Cup and Sinéad Kissane is joined by Rúaidhrí O’Connor on the latest Left Wing podcast to go through the team news and preview the Sharks v Munster, Leinster v Ulster, and Benetton v Connacht in the Challenge Cup. Sinéad will be back on Monday to review the Ireland Women’s Six Nations clash against France with Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly while Will and Luke Fitzgerald will have their in-depth analysis on Wednesday. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look ahead to the Champions Cup last 16. They kick things off by discussing the injury to Johnny Sexton and whether Leinster can still win the Champions Cup without the star out-half. Talk then turns towards this weekend, with Leinster taking on Ulster at the Aviva Stadium and Munster making a daunting trip to Durban to face the Sharks in South Africa. Finally, Cian and Luke give their views on the state of the Ireland women's team after their heavy defeat to Wales in the Six Nations. If you want to get in touch with the show, email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter @SlatteryWill @lukefitz11 @CianTracey1 @SinéadKissane and @RuaidhriOC. The Left Wing will be back at the end of the week with the team news ahead of the Champions Cup weekend, while Sinéad Kissane, Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly will have another episode on Monday looking back on the Ireland Women’s Six Nations game against France.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.