The Left Wing

It was a game that lived up to its billing and on the Left Wing podcast recorded hours after Ireland's 13-8 win over South Africa, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss an epic game that went right down to the wire. Ireland's resilience, Bundee Aki's stunning form, lost line-outs, Boks missed place-kicking and how this sets Ireland up for rest of tournament are all discussed on the pod. And don’t forget to join us all week as we go more in-depth on the key learnings from the game, bring you the latest injury updates and start to look ahead to the clash with Scotland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest Left Wing podcast from the Stade de France, Rúaidhrí O'Connor joins Sinéad Kissane on the eve of the big match. They talk about the injury to Antoine Dupont, we hear from Paul O'Connell on the tactical battle and we've an interview with former Ulster and South Africa scrum-half Ruan Pienaar on tomorrow's showdown. Join us again on Sunday morning for a full post-match breakdown from the Stade de France with Sinéad, Rúaidhrí and Cian.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Ireland team hotel on the outskirts of Paris, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss the team and replacements that Andy Farrell has named to play South Africa on Saturday including the return of Dan Sheehan to the bench. Farrell’s press conference was dominated by questions about the Springboks 7/1 split and they also talked about the traps that the Boks could set for Ireland in defence. Join us again tomorrow for more from the South African camp as the build-up to the big game continues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Tours, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss the Boks 7/1 split on the bench for Saturday's World Cup pool game against Ireland and how it’s not expected to change Ireland's traditional 5/3 split when the Ireland squad is named tomorrow. Plus, what would an Ireland bomb squad look like? And we hear from former Ireland and Leinster hooker Richardt Strauss on the gambles that South Africa are taking with their bench formation. Don’t forget to join Sinéad, Rúaidhrí and Cian on tomorrow’s show when they will discuss the Ireland team and bench that will be named.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Fitzgerald, Will Slattery and Jonathan Bradley preview Ireland's World Cup showdown with South Africa on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Ireland made it two World Cup wins from two against Tonga on Saturday night and the lads agree that Andy Farrell couldn't have scripted a better opening to the tournament. Jonathan and Luke look at the areas that would be key to an Ireland victory on Saturday - and where the Springboks could come out on top. Fiji's win over Australia is up for discussion too before the lads end the show with their predictions for Ireland vs South Africa. Sinéad, Rúaidhrí and Cian are back tomorrow with another episode from France continuing the build-up to the crunch game. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Tours, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to start the build-up to the huge World Cup showdown between Ireland and South Africa on Saturday. Rúaidhrí was in Bordeaux yesterday to watch the Springboks thrashing of Romania. They discuss Ireland's performance against Tonga, possible team selection against Boks and how Tier 1 nations and World Rugby need to do more to help other countries looking to close the gap. Luke Fitzgerald will be back tomorrow for his weekly in-depth analysis of Irish rugby and he’ll be giving his verdict on Ireland’s chances against South Africa. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Stade de la Beaujoire, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss Ireland's bonus point 59-16 win over Tonga on a record-breaking night for Johnny Sexton who surpassed Ronan O'Gara to become Ireland's all-time leading points-scorer. They also talk about the momentum going into the biggest showdown of the World Cup so far when the number one ranked team in the world play the defending World Cup champions next weekend. Don’t forget to join us all next week with daily episodes in the build-up to the massive game. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Left Wing podcast from the Stade de la Beaujoire, Rúaidhrí O'Connor, joins Sinéad Kissane on the eve of Ireland's second pool game to digest the risk and reward behind the strong team that Andy Farrell has selected to play Tonga on Saturday. Sinéad also talks to sports journalist George Pahulu who is in France to follow Tonga during this tournament and he spoke about Tongan culture and what playing in this World Cup means to them. Don’t forget to join us again over the weekend for a special post-match show discussing the Tonga game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Ireland's team hotel in Nantes, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss the strong team Andy Farrell has selected to play Tonga on Saturday. They also discuss Andy Farrell's response when he was asked about Mack Hansen's inclusion in the team after he was left out of the original squad last week. Farrell dismissed that it was for disciplinary reasons. We’re back for another show tomorrow looking ahead to all the weekend of Rugby World Cup action.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Left Wing podcast from Tours, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss what team Andy Farrell will name tomorrow to play Tonga in the World Cup on Saturday. We have an interview with Tonga and Toulouse centre Pita Ahki - who also spent a season with Connacht six years ago – and who spoke about playing in his first World Cup this weekend. Plus he explained how Bundee Aki has gone quiet recently in a group WhatsApp and how former Munster outhalf and current Tonga assistant coach, Tyler Bleyendaal, has a few tricks up his sleeve for Ireland. Don't forget to join us again tomorrow when we’ll discuss the Ireland XV that will be named for their second World Cup game against Tonga.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Fitzgerald, Will Slattery and Jonathan Bradley look back on a dramatic opening weekend of World Cup action on the latest episode of The Left Wing. From the blockbuster curtain raiser between France and New Zealand to Wales' win over Fiji on Sunday night, the first round of matches delivered plenty of talking points. The lads discuss Ireland's opening win over Romania as well as what team Andy Farrell should select for Saturday's game against Tonga. Should Johnny Sexton start for the second weekend in a row? Thoughts also turn to whether Ireland should go with their own 'bomb squad' bench against South Africa. England's win over Argentina and the weekend's refereeing mistakes were up for discussion too. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rúaidhrí O'Connor, Cian Tracey and Sinéad Kissane are back in Tours to review the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. They talk about what Ireland will learn from South Africa's win over Scotland on Sunday night, should Johnny Sexton play against Tonga on Saturday and Fiji's nearly epic finish against Wales. Luke and Will are back tomorrow for their in-depth discussion and analysis and you can email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland are up and running in the Rugby World Cup after a 82-8 win over Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Sinéad Kissane after the match to discuss the record win and the stand-out performances including double try scorer Johnny Sexton and Bundee Aki. Join the Left Wing every day from the Rugby World Cup as we keep you up-to-date on the latest news and team announcements and bring you the best in-depth analysis with our team in France and Ireland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sinéad Kissane and Cian Tracey were at the Stade de Bordeaux for Ireland's captain’s run training and press conference where they talk about Ireland attack coach Mike Catt's denial that Mack Hansen wasn't included in the Ireland team to play Romania for disciplinary reasons. It had been expected that Hansen would play but he's not part of the 23. Cian Tracey also asked Catt about claims the former England player Danny Cipriani made in his autobiography about an alleged explosive row eight years ago. All that and more on today's Left Wing podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Sinéad Kissane at the Ireland team hotel in Bordeaux to discuss the starting team that head coach Andy Farrell has named for their World Cup opener against Romania on Saturday. The inclusion of Joe McCarthy in the second row and of course the return of captain Johnny Sexton were among the selections discussed. Rúaidhrí and Cian also talked about what it was like seeing the squad move from Tours to Bordeaux and the big security operation around them. On tomorrow’s show we’re previewing the opening game of the Rugby World Cup between France and New Zealand and going into more detail on Ireland v Romania. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of the Left Wing podcast from Tours in France, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss how the Ireland team could shape up when Andy Farrell names it tomorrow for their World Cup opener on Saturday against Romania in Bordeaux. They also discuss spying in rugby and all the other big pool matches on opening weekend including the curtain raiser of France v New Zealand in Paris on Friday night. On tomorrow’s show we’ll be analysing and discussing the Ireland team and you can email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Slattery, Luke Fitzgerald and Jonathan Bradley preview the 2023 Rugby World Cup and after all the waiting, the countdown is almost over and the lads kick things off by looking ahead to France vs New Zealand on Friday night. They then break down each pool, discussing all the major talking points and give their predictions for who they think will qualify for the knockout stage. Finally, it is time to pick their winner - and Luke thinks that Ireland will go all the way. Join us tomorrow for our next episode from France where the Left Wing team of Sinead, Rúaidhrí and Cian have all the latest news from the Ireland camp. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Left Wing team of Sinéad Kissane, Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey are up and running from the Irish base in Tours and for their first Monday update, they discuss Ireland’s purpose-built training ground, what team should face Romania and how the build-up is actually the most exciting part of a World Cup. During the Rugby World Cup, the Left Wing podcast will be bringing you daily episodes with updates on team news and injuries as well as the best interviews and analysis. Luke Fitzgerald will be joining Will Slattery and Jonathan Bradley on Tuesday’s show and you can email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 @SlatteryWill @JBradleyBT and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The squad has been named, the warm-up games have wrapped, and the squad will fly to their base in Tours on Thursday. The World Cup is just around the corner. Luke Fitzgerald and Jonathan Bradley join Sinéad Kissane to discuss the closing of the long build-up and look into our World Cup future – just what are our chances going into this 10th edition of the World Cup? And how will Ireland deal with the South African bomb squad threat? During the Rugby World Cup, the Left Wing podcast will be bringing you daily episodes from France with updates on team news and injuries as well as the best interviews and analysis. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SlatteryWill @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland have named their squad for the Rugby World Cup and Cian Healy misses out through injury. At the team hotel, Cian Tracey joins Rúaidhrí O'Connor on the Left Wing podcast to run through Andy Farrell's big decision, assess the fallout of Saturday night's performance against Samoa and look back on the final round of warm-up games before the main event gets going in less than two weeks' time. Join us for the next Left Wing show on Tuesday when Luke Fitzgerald will give his thoughts on the World Cup squad and Cian Healy’s absence. Email your questions and comments to theleftwing@independent.ie, or contact the team on Twitter/X @SlatteryWill @SineadKissane @RuaidhriOC @CianTracey1 and @LukeFitz11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.