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.

  • 47 minutes 36 seconds
    Munster’s statement victory, is the central contracts model working and Leinster repeating past mistakes?

    After Munster's performance in Loftus, can their win over the Bulls be the catalyst for a URC defence and what about the difference RG Snyman makes?

    Cian Tracey and Luke Fitzgerald join Rúaidhrí O’Connor on this week’s Left Wing podcast to discuss all the big talking points for Irish rugby from the weekend.

    After Leinster’s uncharacteristic loss to Lions are they repeating past mistakes as the coaches fly home to prep for Saints?

    There’s also been a lot of talk about central contracts and the panel asks is the model working and does it need tweaking or wholesale change?

    Plus, selling out Croke Park - what it means for Leinster, Irish rugby and what it's like to play in.

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    23 April 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 28 minutes 36 seconds
    Ireland have to pick themselves up for their biggest game of the year

    England dished out a 88-10 hammering to Ireland in the Women's Six Nations at Twickenham last weekend. The world number one-ranked team completely overwhelmed Ireland as they ran in 14 tries.

    Scott Bemand's side will play Scotland in Belfast in next Saturday's final round with an automatic place in next year’s World Cup up for grabs for the team that finishes third in the table.

    Former Ireland player Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly of scrumqueens.com joined Sinéad Kissane to go through last weekend's demolition and look ahead to the biggest game of the year for Ireland.

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    22 April 2024, 10:47 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Leinster make La Rochelle statement - but should they be allowed sign Jordie Barrett?

    Leinster's emphatic win over La Rochelle and their blockbuster signing of Jordie Barrett are up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing.

    Rúaidhrí O'Connor, Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery break down the key moments behind Leinster's victory and single out the key performers like Will Connors and Joe McCarthy.

    Jacques Nienaber's influence on Leinster is also discussed before talk turns to the signing of All Blacks star Barrett.

    The lads debate whether the signing should have been signed off by the IRFU and the worrying gulf that has emerged between the provinces.

    Ulster and Connacht's heavy European defeats are also on the agenda.

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    16 April 2024, 7:33 pm
  • 37 minutes 21 seconds
    Wales put to the sword by Ireland Women’s team but England await

    Ireland have jumped to third in the Women's Six Nations table after their excellent bonus point win over Wales at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

    Ireland scored five tries as they won 36-5 to record their first win in the championship since April 2022.

    Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly joined Sinéad Kissane to talk through this very impressive performance and look ahead to Ireland's daunting task against England at Twickenham next weekend.

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    15 April 2024, 11:22 am
  • 56 minutes 31 seconds
    Can Leinster finally slay La Rochelle or will it be heartbreak again?

    Leinster's showdown with La Rochelle and Munster's Champions Cup exit are both up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing.

    Cian Tracey, Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery look back on the round of 16 clashes that saw Leinster beat Leicester and Munster go down to Northampton.

    La Rochelle now loom for Leinster, and the lads break down where the game will be won and lost.

    Ulster and Connacht's Challenge Cup victories and the Moment of the Week are on the agenda too.

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    9 April 2024, 7:27 pm
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    Champions Cup preview, South Africa rivalry and Peter O'Mahony's future

    Rúaidhrí O'Connor, Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery look ahead to the Champions Cup last 16 on the latest episode of The Left Wing.

    Leinster and Munster take on Leicester and Northampton respectively this weekend, while Ulster and Connacht also face French opposition in the Challenge Cup.

    The lads preview all four games as well as looking back on another interesting weekend of URC action.

    Rúaidhrí also breaks down the documentary looking at South Africa's recent World Cup win, while Luke thinks Peter O'Mahony should hold off on retirement.

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    2 April 2024, 7:50 pm
  • 31 minutes 41 seconds
    Costly mistakes for Ireland in front of a record attendance

    Ireland suffered their second defeat of this season's Women's Six Nations after a 27-21 loss to Italy in front of a record attendance at the RDS on Sunday. Next up for Scott Bemand's team is Wales in Cork on April 13.

    Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly join Sinéad Kissane on the latest episode of the Left Wing to discuss the factors that cost Ireland and what they need to improve when they face Wales.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 April 2024, 6:53 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    The provinces return to action and the downside to playing in Croke Park

    The return of the URC and the downside to playing rugby in Croke Park is up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing.

    Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald discuss what Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht need to do to ensure a strong finish to the season with some big games to come over the next few weeks.

    The lads also discuss Ireland's opening Women's Six Nations game against France and with Leinster set to return to Croke Park later this season, Luke Fitzgerald explains why he didn't think the atmosphere in GAA HQ was great when he was a player.

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    26 March 2024, 8:55 pm
  • 35 minutes 11 seconds
    Improvement for Ireland but areas of concern ahead of Italy game

    Ireland opened their 2024 Women's Six Nations with a 38-17 defeat to France in Le Mans but there were some improvements on last year's performance against the French with Aoife Wafer and Aoife Dalton scoring tries with the Irish defence also a plus.

    Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly join Sinéad Kissane on The Left Wing podcast to discuss the improvements and the areas of concern going into the first home game of the campaign against Italy at the RDS on Sunday.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 March 2024, 4:21 pm
  • 31 minutes 15 seconds
    Women’s Six Nations Preview with Anna Caplice & Ali Donnelly

    The 2024 Women's Six Nations kicks off this weekend with Ireland facing France in Le Mans on Saturday. After finishing bottom of the table last year, Ireland - under new head coach Scott Bemand - will hope for a much better showing in this year's edition. 

    Anna Caplice and Ali Donnelly joined Sinéad Kissane on the latest edition of The Left Wing to discuss where Ireland are at going into this tournament, the absence of co-captain Sam Monaghan from the team and the importance of getting the culture right in a team environment. 

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    21 March 2024, 6:26 pm
  • 50 minutes 57 seconds
    Ireland's triumph, Italy's resurgence and the big Springbok challenge to come

    Ireland are Six Nations champions once again as Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery look back on another memorable campaign.

    The final victory over Scotland failed to hit the heights as Luke and Cian pick out areas where Ireland will look to improve ahead of two tests against South Africa this summer.

    However, there were also plenty of positives as Andy Farrell's men secured back-to-back titles.

    Peter O'Mahony's swansong, Italy's impressive showing and an awful few weeks for Wales are all on the agenda too.

    Head to www.mypodcastfeedback.com pop in code WING and fill out the short survey to be in with the chance of winning a €500 OneforAll voucher.

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    19 March 2024, 6:12 pm
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