The Left Wing

On this week’s episode of the Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by USA Eagles Head Coach Gary Gold and USA attack coach Greg McWilliams to discuss this weekend’s game and the state of US rugby. Greg has previously been the Director of Rugby of St Michael’s College and the backs coach for the Irish women’s team so he is well placed to asses the current state of Irish rugby as...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Ireland second row James Ryan to discuss the huge win over the All Blacks as well as his phenomenal year. Ryan played a big role in the victory over the back-to-back world champions, and he reflects on the superb achievement after what has been a memorable year for the Irish team. Ryan looks back on...

On this week's epsiode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Wasps and former Leinster out-half Jimmy Gopperth to preview Ireland's blockbuster clash with New Zealand. It's world number two hosting world number one at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and Gopperth cannot wait to watch the action unfold. He says that Ireland have to hold onto the ball for long periods and fr...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Leinster and Ireland prop Cian Healy to discuss the November internationals and his career to date. Healy is a key part of Joe Schmidt's Ireland team who have big matches against Argentina and New Zealand this month, and the powerful prop says that the games are crucial to achieve his goal of the tea...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined Irish Independent rugby correspondent Ruaidhri O'Connor to preview the November internationals. Ireland face Italy, Argentina, New Zealand and USA in an action-packed four-match schedule and the lads break down the various selection headaches Joe Schmidt has as he attempts to select his best team from a very stro...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Leinster duo James Tracy and Rory O'Loughlin to discuss their careers to date. The lads start off by recapping Leinster's narrow defeat in Toulouse, a game that James and Rory were in the squad for. Rory chats about the hair-raising atmosphere in France while James gives an insight into the painstaki...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Cian Tracey of the Irish Independent to discuss the first weekend of Champions Cup action. Leinster dished out a serious statement of intent against Wasps, winning 52-3 and the lads delve into how the reigning champions have got even better this season. Luke talks about the performance of Luke McGrat...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Irish Independent rugby correspondents Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey to preview this season's Champions Cup. Holders Leinster get the tournament underway on Friday night against Wasps and the lads think that Leo Cullen's men will be tough to beat in this year's competition. Leinster have a tricky...

On this week’s episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by James Lowe to talk about his time at Leinster and his career to date. Lowe’s all-action style has won him plenty of plaudits since moving to Ireland, and he discusses his unique playing style and how he developed it. He also chats about his time with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, the difference between northern a...

On this week’s episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Irish Independent rugby correspondent Cian Tracey to discuss the start of the season. Munster have had a bumpy ride with new out-half Joey Carbery but Luke is confident that the talented ten will come good soon. The lads also debate player privacy regarding injuries after the recent case of Conor Mur...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Leinster out-half Ross Byrne to discuss his career to date. Byrne has made over 45 appearances for Leinster since 2016 and has become a key man in a team that won the PRO14 and Champions Cup last season. Byrne opens up on his development from a rookie who came on against Northampton at Franklin's Gar...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald is joined by Ireland and Connacht second row Ultan Dillane to discuss his journey from Tralee RFC to international rugby. Dillane moved from Paris to Kerry at the age of seven and after a spell in the Munster underage set-up he ended up accepting a Connacht academy contract. He explains his unusual journey to the top as wel...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ulster scrum-half John Cooney to discuss his breakout season last year as well as his hopes for the upcoming campaign. Cooney made the move from Connacht to Ulster in 2017 and won the club's Player of the Season. He explains why he originally decided to leave Leinster in 2014 and how he motivates himself with...

The Left Wing is back as Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald kick off another season with Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi. Felipe explains what drew him to coaching and why he decided to pursue a full time role instead of returning to his work as a doctor. He also discusses the areas he will focus on as Leinster backs coach as well as the transformation the club has gone on since he first join...

On the last Left Wing of the season, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Bristol out-half Ian Madigan to recap Ireland's series win over Australia and much more. Madigan has already done his firs t block of pre-season training with Bristol and is relishing a crack at the Aviva Premiership this year. He tells the lads how the team is getting on, the new signings he is excited about and...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Leinster and Ireland wing Fergus McFadden to discuss a historic season for Irish rugby. McFadden was part of a Leinster side that won a fourth European Cup, and he looks back on a memorable personal campaign that saw him return to top form. The veteran back also played a part in Ireland's Grand Slam triumph, a...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Irish Independent rugby correspondent Cian Tracey to discuss the opening weekend of the summer tests. Ireland came up short against Australia in Brisbane, and the lads break down where Joe Schmidt's men went wrong. Luke thinks that Schmidt has to make a number of changes for the second test - but still expects...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Simon Zebo to discuss his imminent move to Paris to play for Racing 92. Simon explains why he decided to leave Munster and make the move to the Top 14, and how much he is looking forward to playing with one of Europe's best teams. Despite being dropped by Joe Schmidt after the move was announced, Zebo is still...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Leinster legend Isa Nacewa to reflect on his remarkable career. After achieving a Champions Cup/PRO 14 double in his last season as a rugby player, Nacewa reveals his plans for the future as he prepares to return home to New Zealand. Fitzgerald discusses the qualities that made the Kiwi so indispensable to Lei...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Munster and Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray to discuss his eventful season and his career to date. Murray talks about breaking into the Ireland team unexpectedly at just 22, and how he was able to rise up the levels while taking things in his stride. The number nine has formed a formidable partnership with Joh...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Irish Independent rugby correspondent Cian Tracey to recap Leinster's Champions Cup final win against Racing 92. Leo Cullen's side sealed a fourth European Cup win, and Luke reflects on what it was like watching his former team win the trophy for the first time without him. The lads discuss the reasons why the...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ireland and Ulster wing Tommy Bowe to discuss his legendary career as he prepares to retire. Tommy talks about the criticism he got early on in his career and how he overcame some tough seasons to thrive for both club and country. Bowe decided to move to Wales and play for the Ospreys in 2008, where he develop...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by recently retired Springboks legend Bryan Habana. Habana has won almost every single honour in the game but the lads start out by asking about one particular part of his CV - his losing record against Ireland! Luke and Bryan both played in the famous Lions test series in 2009, and Bryan explains why those games...

On this week’s episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald recap all the Champions Cup action as well as discussing the retirement of Isa Nacewa. Luke hails Nacewa’s contribution to Leinster and ranks his best players to line out for the province. The lads dissect Munster’s disappointing defeat to Racing and while they agree it was a bad performance, outline some reasons for positi...

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by former Leinster and Connacht second row Damien Browne to discuss his epic 4,800km solo row across the Atlantic ocean. Damian set off from the Canary Islands and 63 days later set foot on dry land in Antigua. He tells Luke and Will of the tough fitness regime he underwent to prepare for his marathon feat, and h...