Irish Independent
The Left Wing
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.
Author
Irish Independent
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
The bumper Six Nations review | Paris chaos & Ireland's turnaround 16.03.2026 1:05:39
Will and Luke convene to recap the most sensational Super Saturday of them all. From the madness in Paris to Ireland's impressive win over Scotland, every big talking point from the final day of the Six Nations is on the table. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Six Nations Super Saturday ends with last-gasp French title and Irish Triple Crown | ☘️ 43 - 21 🏴 Reaction 14.03.2026 52:04
What a final day to one of the most dramatic and entertaining Six Nations in history! Sinéad Kissane, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey meet in the Aviva Stadium to discuss the drama that unfolded in Paris as Thomas Ramos made the kick that won France the Six Nations, at the expense of an English match win and an Irish title. The team also run the rule over a superb Irish performance that ensured...
Ireland's injury blow | Overconfident Scotland | England in crisis 12.03.2026 43:31
Will and Luke break down Ireland's team selection to face Scotland ahead of a blockbuster Six Nations finale. James Ryan's injury, Bundee Aki's bench role and who Andy Farrell left out is all on the menu. The lads also discuss Scotland star Darcy Graham's cocky pre-match comments ahead of taking on Ireland. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The greatest Six Nations ever | Ireland selection debate | France blow up 10.03.2026 1:00:37
Will and Luke are joined by Cian Tracey to reflect on a sensational Six Nations Saturday and to assess what team Andy Farrell might pick this weekend. Scotland's big win, France's latest stumble under Fabien Galthie and Wales' big effort at the Aviva Stadium are all on the menu. Jack Crowley's kicking, the best use of Jack Conan and a famous day for Italian rugby are up for discussion too. The Lef...
Ireland overcome dogged Welsh display to keep Triple Crown hopes alive | Post-match reaction | Ireland 27-17 Wales 07.03.2026 40:40
Indo Sport's Sinead Kissane, Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey assemble at The Aviva Stadium to assess Ireland's Six Nations win over Wales in the penultimate round of this year's championship. If you'd like to get in touch with the podcast, you can email us at indosportpodcast@independent.ie ?? Rugby coverage on the Indo Sport podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Ireland's next steps | Lethal France | England panic - and Italy's opportunity 02.03.2026 1:06:04
Will, Luke and Ruaidhri O'Connor convene after the Six Nations break week to assesses how each team has looked through three rounds. France's devastating form, Scotland's Scotland-like tournament, where Ireland can improve and Italy's England opportunity are all on the menu. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Andy Farrell's future | Ireland coaching candidates | More Munster upheaval 26.02.2026 43:02
Will is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to discuss the prospect of Andy Farrell joining Saracens as head coach after the next World Cup. Whether 2027 would be the right time for a new Ireland coach, who might succeed Farrell and the latest departure from the Munster setup are all on the agenda. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. To be in with a chance of winning tickets to Ireland v Scotla...
Ireland send a message, Andy Farrell's masterclass & England's collapse 24.02.2026 57:24
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley convene to assess every aspect of Ireland's record win in Twickenham. Andy Farrell's selection masterclass, England's capitulation, Jack Crowley's day and what this Ireland team can now achieve are all on the menu. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. To be in with a chance of winning tickets to Ireland vs Scotland, you can find the details here: https://w...
Ireland storm to record victory in Twickenham | Post-match reaction | 🌹 21 - 42 ☘️ | Six Nations 2026 🏉 21.02.2026 45:15
Sinéad Kissane, Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey (happy with his pre-game prediction) convene in Twickenham after Ireland came away with a record victory in the home of English rugby, putting the pressure on Steve Borthwick’s side from the start. Let us know what you think at indosportpodcast@independent.ie Rugby on Indo Sport and The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener...
Andy Farrell's out-half mistake and Ireland's Twickenham options 17.02.2026 1:04:57
Cian Tracey joins Will and Luke after an Ireland performance against Italy that left questions to answer ahead of a trip to Twickenham that Cian feels may be an opportunity for Andy Farrell's team. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ireland survive serious Italy scare | Post-match reaction | Ireland 20-13 Italy | Six Nations 2026 🏉 14.02.2026 46:33
Sinead Kissane, Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey assemble at the Aviva Stadium to assess Ireland's uninspiring 20-13 victory over Italy. If you'd like to get in touch with the podcast, you can email us at indosportpodcast@independent.ie ✉️ You can subscribe to our dedicated Indo Sport YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/@IndoSportPodcast 📹 Rugby podcast coverage on the Indo Sport podcast is...
Ireland team reaction | Andy Farrell wields the axe after Paris humbling 12.02.2026 39:04
Will is joined by Cian Tracey to assess Ireland's team selection to face Italy on Saturday. Andy Farrell has made six changes to his starting XV, with four players dropped from the 23 entirely. There are some exciting changes, with Cormac Izuchukwu in at blindside flanker and Edwin Edogbo in line for his Ireland debut off the bench. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listene...
Ireland's lack of intent, stars under pressure & time to make changes 10.02.2026 1:04:12
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley discuss Andy Farrell taking aim at Ireland's lack of intent against France and the changes he might make for the Italy game. Luke gives his verdict on who should stay in the team and who should be dropped while Jonathan argues that it might be the most important selection of Farrell's tenure. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener...
Ireland's systems failure, big questions to answer & majestic France 06.02.2026 55:11
Will and Luke pick through Ireland's heavy defeat to France, with the aerial battle, defence and the team's skill level all on the menu. The lads also discuss whether the Ireland players need to be more critical of each other after Conor Murray's comments on the TV coverage. The Left Wing podcast is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ireland suffer punishing defeat in Paris | Post-match reaction | France 36-14 Ireland 06.02.2026 39:40
Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey join Sinead Kissane post-match at the Stade de France to pore over what was a chastening night for Andy Farrell's Irish side in their Six Nations opener, after they fell to a thorough 36-14 defeat in Paris. If you'd like to get in touch with the podcast, you can email us at indosportpodcast@independent.ie ?? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ireland's surprise selections, Stockdale's rebirth & France's new era 03.02.2026 58:37
Will is joined by Luke Fitzgerald and Ruaidhri O'Connor from Paris to discuss Ireland's team selection to face France. Andy Farrell has sprung a number of surprises and the lads break down the big talking points and the areas where Thursday's games will be won and lost. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bumper Six Nations preview | Ireland red flags & the key questions 26.01.2026 1:09:29
Rúaidhrí O'Connor is fresh from the Six Nations launch to join Will and Luke for this bumper edition previewing this year's tournament. Injury problems, the need to get on top of the scrum in Paris and how to communicate with referees are all up for debate as we warm up to Six Nations 2026. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Munster relegated, Leinster's underrated day & who makes the Six Nations squad? 20.01.2026 1:00:49
Sitting in for Will, Sinéad Kissane alongside Luke and Jonathan dissect how Munster came to find themselves relegated to the Challenge Cup after their Champions Cup exit, alongside Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle. Luke debates the difference between what a player wants in their out-half versus what fans value and the pod look ahead to Andy Farrell’s imminent Six Nations squad announcement on Wednesday....
All Blacks in crisis | How Ruaidhri O'Connor got the story 15.01.2026 26:09
Will is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor for a special episode of the Left Wing to react to Scott Robertson's shock departure as All Blacks head coach. Ruaidhri broke the story late Wednesday night and he explains the sequence of events that saw New Zealand make a huge change less than two years from the World Cup. Whether Joe Schmidt will finally become the All Blacks head coach is also on the menu. T...
Leinster's resilience, La Rochelle throw it away & Irish rugby's discipline problem 13.01.2026 1:00:46
Will, Luke and Jonathan Bradley pick through Leinster's last-gasp win over La Rochelle and Munster's tough defeat away to Toulon. Leinster's mental strength, La Rochelle's missed opportunities and the flaws in Jacques Nienaber's defence are all on the menu from the showdown at the Aviva. Luke also thinks Irish teams have a growing discipline problem that needs to be addressed. The Left Wing podcas...
Ulster are back, Munster's mistake and Leinster's selection dilemmas 06.01.2026 1:06:58
Will and Luke are joined by Jonathan Bradley as Ulster's superb festive fixtures create a good buzz around a squad set for a trip to Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Munster's selection issue are to the fore as Leinster gear up to face Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle. The Left Wing Rugby Podcast is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leinster get revenge, Frawley's second chance & Munster's missed opportunity 30.12.2025 58:24
Will and Luke convene for the last Left Wing of 2025 to pick through Leinster's revenge mission in Thomond Park and Ulster's strong showing against Connacht. Ciaran Frawley's move away from Leinster and where Munster are at halfway through their first season under Clayton McMillan are up for discussion too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Byrne vs Prendergast, Champions Cup decline & Leinster dig in 15.12.2025 1:02:31
Will and Luke are joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to review a Champions Cup weekend that saw some good contests but plenty of blowouts amid a huge number of weakened teams. Luke was impressed with Leinster's digging in away to Leicester on Friday night while Ruaidhri was very disappointed with the spectacle in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Munster's no show, Leinster can't adapt & Connacht's collapse 09.12.2025 1:04:11
Will, Luke and Cian Tracey run the rule over a Champions Cup weekend which saw Munster's well beaten in Bath and Leinster win despite Luke's belief that they are unable to adapt in game. In the Challenge Cup, Connacht had a collapse while Ulster showed green shoots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leinster's closing window, Nienaber's interview mistake & Champions Cup kick off 02.12.2025 1:06:53
Will is joined by Luke Fitzgerald and Jonathan Bradley to look ahead to the opening weekend of Champions Cup action. Whether Leinster's Champions Cup window has closed, Jacques Nienaber's curious TV interview and Munster's ability to compete in Europe are all on the menu. Ulster and Connacht's Challenge Cup aspirations and Eben Etzebeth's gouging incident are up for discussion too. See omnystudio....
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