Irish Independent

The Left Wing

Sports EN ↓ 608 episodes

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

Sports

Podcast website

www.independent.ie

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Scoreless second half for Ireland as they just hold off Argentina | Instant reaction 16.11.2024

Sinéad Kissane is joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor & Cian Tracey at the Aviva Stadium after Ireland managed to hold on and secure victory over a resilient Pumas. Coverage of the Autumn Series on Indo Sport is brought to you by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tetchy Andy Farrell, red card madness and are Ireland in a slump? 12.11.2024

Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery pick through where everything went wrong for Ireland against New Zealand. Luke thinks it was a one-off bad performance while Cian and Will wonder whether there are signs of a potential November slump to come. Andy Farrell's tetchy press conference, the 20-minute red card and Australia's dramatic win over England are all up for discussion too. See omny...

All Blacks triumph as Ireland fail to fire — Post-match reaction — Ireland 13-23 New Zealand 09.11.2024

Sinead Kissane is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor & Cian Tracey at the Aviva Stadium after Ireland's 19-game home winning run came to an end at the hands of the All Blacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November questions, Ireland's depth and All Blacks preview with Kieran Read 05.11.2024

Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery are joined by All Blacks legend Kieran Read to preview Ireland vs New Zealand on the latest Left Wing podcast. Luke and Will kick things off by looking ahead to Ireland's four-match November campaign and what impact Andy Farrell's departure for the Lions after November might have on his decisions. Double World Cup winner Read then joins the show to give his perspe...

Could Graham Rowntree’s departure send Munster into crisis mode? Reaction w/ Mike Sherry 29.10.2024

Will Slattery is back from his travels to join Sinéad Kissane and Luke Fitzgerald on the Left Wing - and what a week to return. Former Munster hooker Mike Sherry joined the programme as the team give their reaction to the shock announcement that Graham Rowntree has parted ways with Munster by mutual agreement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reacting to Leo Cullen’s new contract | Ireland need to blood the young guns 22.10.2024

On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and Cian Tracey joined Luke Fitzgerald ahead of the Ireland squad announcement, where the team ask if Andy Farrell will use the four-game Autumn series to rotate new talent. The team also discuss Munster’s lineout issues, Jack Crowley's kicking and we react to Leinster extending Leo Cullen’s stay as head coach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Fire lit under Ciarán Frawley as Leinster beat Munster in sell-out 15.10.2024

On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and Rúaidhrí O’Connor joined Luke Fitzgerald to rebuff claims that the Leinster/Munster rivalry is dead, break down where the 10 situation is at, and ask if now would have been a good time for Leinster to travel to South Africa in the URC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RG Snyman the ‘poster boy’ for a Leinster/Munster rivalry back up and running 08.10.2024

On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and David Kelly joined Luke Fitzgerald to preview this weekend’s pair of Interpro derbies, with Munster set to travel to a boisterous Croke Park on Saturday. The team give their verdicts for both games, discuss whether emotion can benefit Munster in GAA HQ, and ask what impact RG Snyman will have. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Paul O’Connell interview - Introducing Indo Sport 05.10.2024

We want to introduce Indo Daily listeners to our brand-new sister podcast, Indo Sport. It’s free, it’s daily Monday to Friday and features the best sporting analysis from across the country, with veteran sports broadcaster Joe Molloy at the helm. In this episode Joe sits down with Irish rugby legend Paul O'Connell for an in-depth discussion. From fishing, changing room speeches and coaching in the...

Ireland's win over Black Ferns can be a ‘catalyst’ - and so can Munster’s loss 01.10.2024

On this episode of the Left Wing, Sinéad Kissane and David Kelly joined Luke Fitzgerald in the aftermath of a historic victory by the Irish women over New Zealand in the WXV series in Canada. The team also debate the wisdom of players going to places like France to further their career, talk about Johnny Sexton’s new book, and ask if Munster can bounce back from a damaging defeat. See omnystudio.c...

Ireland on top of the world as ‘sloppy’ Munster win interpro thriller 24.09.2024

On this episode of the Left Wing, Rúaidhrí O’Connor joined Luke Fitzgerald to break down the first week of URC action, and ask if Leinster are using their resources correctly at this stage of the season.  Also: what to like about Munster and Connacht after early-doors thriller; is the Emerging Ireland tour fit for purpose; South Africa drop to put Ireland on top of the world. See omnystudio.com/li...

New season but same selection dilemmas for Irish 10s 17.09.2024

The 2024/25 season is upon us and so is the new season of the Left Wing. Rúaidhrí O’Connor joined Luke Fitzgerald to assess where expectations lie in each Irish province ahead of the URC’s kick-off. Also: what to do about Ireland’s Number 10s; Simon Easterby announced as interim Ireland head coach; How Andy Farrell’s absence will be felt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We select our Lions Test team to take on Australia 30.07.2024

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery select their Lions team to take on Australia next summer. With Andy Farrell set to coach the team down under, the lads speculate as to how much that will benefit the Irish players. Luke think Jack Crowley could well be the starting out-half while everyone agrees that it will be a big season for Garry Rin...

Ireland's U-20 logjam, Keenan vs Osborne and the Jordie Barrett question 24.07.2024

Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery answer readers' questions on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. How to give gametime to Ireland's U-20 talent, where Leinster should play Jordie Barrett and whether there is pressure on Paul O'Connell are all topics of discussion. The lads then finish off by asking whether Hugo Keenan should regain his Ireland place in November or if Jamie O...

Ciaran Frawley's future, Ireland's achievement and Andy Farrell's triumph 17.07.2024

Ruaidhri O'Connor joins Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to reflect on Ireland's famous win over South Africa on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Ciaran Frawley was the hero with a late drop goal and once again his future at Leinster is a big topic of discussion. The lads break down Ireland's stellar first half, South Africa's comeback and the key role Andy Farrell played in the victo...

Instant reaction: Ciaran Frawley drop goal seals famous win in South Africa 13.07.2024

Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Will Slattery to digest Ireland's famous win in South Africa after Ciaran Frawley's late drop goal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland team reaction - Andy Farrell drops Peter O'Mahony for Springboks rematch 11.07.2024

Ruaidhri O'Connor joins Will Slattery to discuss the Ireland team announcement and Andy Farrell's decision to drop Peter O'Mahony for the second Test against the Springboks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caelan Doris vs Luke Pearce, Irish mistakes and South Africa's new style 10.07.2024

Ireland's relationship with referees is in the spotlight after the opening Test match defeat to the Springboks on Saturday. Luke Fitzgerald and Ruaidhri O'Connor joined Will Slattery on The Left Wing podcast, with Caelan Doris' interactions with referee Luke Pearce a major discussion point. South Africa's more attacking style of play also caught the eye, although Luke thinks it might be a mistake...

Instant reaction: Springboks finally beat Ireland after drama in Pretoria 06.07.2024

Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Will Slattery on The Left Wing podcast to discuss Ireland's narrow defeat to South Africa in the first Test in Pretoria. Two costly errors from James Lowe in the second half saw the Springboks score a brace of vital tries and the lads are on hand to pick through all the talking points from a dramatic encounter. There were contentious TMO calls, some strong...

Andy Farrell drops selection bombshell with Jamie Osborne at fullback 04.07.2024

Jamie Osborne has been handed a shock debut at fullback as Andy Farrell named the Ireland team to face the Springboks. Ruaidhri O'Connor joins Will Slattery on The Left Wing podcast to discuss the stern test the Naas youngster will face in Pretoria. Craig Casey starts at scrum-half ahead of Conor Murray while Farrell has opted for a 5/3 bench split with Garry Ringrose wearing the number 23 jersey....

Can Ireland win a Test match in South Africa? 03.07.2024

Luke Fitzgerald, Ruaidhri O'Connor and Will Slattery give their verdict on Ireland's chances in South Africa on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. The lads preview the first Test, which takes place in Pretoria on Saturday, and discuss the budding rivalry between Ireland and the Springboks. Rassie Erasmus' team selection, areas of concern for Ireland and the Champions Cup draw are all up...

Ireland's selection decisions and Leinster's out-half problem 26.06.2024

Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery look ahead to Ireland's Test series against South Africa on the latest episode of The Left Wing. Despite the club season ending on a sour note for the Irish provinces, Luke thinks that Andy Farrell can build his players up to take on the Springboks. The lads discuss some of the selection dilemmas facing Farrell such as at full back, scrum-half and the...

Ireland select squad for Springboks after a bad weekend for Leinster and Munster 19.06.2024

Leinster and Munster's URC semi-final defeats and Ireland's squad announcement were up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to pick through a very disappointing weekend for Irish rugby. Luke says Leinster have major questions to answer after a third season without a trophy while Cian says that Muns...

Altitude and Warriors stand in the way of an all-Irish final 12.06.2024

Rúaidhrí O’Connor join Cian Tracey and Luke Fitzgerald to assess the chances of a Leinster v Munster decider in the URC. Leinster have logistical headaches and altitude to contend with as they travel to face the Bulls in Loftus Versfeld - Luke remembers how playing at such heights can impact your body. Meanwhile - Munster can make most of their partnerships; who Andy Farrell may pick to face the S...

Sam Prendergast's future, Munster's home advantage and Hugo Keenan's Sevens switch 04.06.2024

Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery look ahead to the URC playoffs on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Munster are in the box seat after securing top seeding with an exciting win over Ulster and the lads think the Thomond Park factor could see them defend their URC crown. Leinster will have to do it the hard way with a likely trip to South Africa if they beat Ulster in the quarter-finals...

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