The Left Wing

Rúaidhrí O'Connor, Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery assess Ireland's dominant start to the Six Nations on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. The lack of a World Cup hangover, navigating the post-Johnny Sexton era and a stingy defence have all been impressive hallmarks of Ireland's three bonus-point victories to date. There are two games to go but already it looks like another Grand Slam...

Ireland have made it three bonus point wins in a row in the 2024 Six Nations. Andy Farrell’s team beat Wales 31-7 at the Aviva stadium and Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey joined Sinéad Kissane after the game to discuss the big talking points from Ireland’s win. And don’t forget to join Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery on Wednesday for their in-depth analysis of Ireland’s win. See omnystudio.com...

Ciarán Frawley has been named at full-back in the Ireland team to play Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday at the Aviva stadium. The rest of the team is the same as the one that started the opening round win over France in Marseille while the uncapped Oli Jager is on the bench. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane on The Left Wing to discuss the big talking points of Farrell's te...

Ireland's clash with Wales on Saturday is the main topic of discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Jonathan Bradley joins Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to look forward to round three of the Six Nations and pick through the major talking points ahead of the Ireland team announcement. The lads also discuss Ireland's formidable record at the Aviva Stadium despite criticism of...

On the latest Left Wing, Ireland and Leinster prop Andrew Porter joined Sinéad Kissane in studio where he spoke openly about his self-doubt and his questions over whether he was cut out for professional rugby after he returned home from Ireland’s World Cup exit last October. Porter - an ambassador for the Irish Cancer Society - talked about the help he got from coaches to help him recover as Irela...

Hugo Keenan's replacement at fullback is a big topic of discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing. Cian Tracey joins Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to go over all the main talking points after round two of the Six Nations. Jack Crowley's performance, the major TMO controversy and the standard of this year's competition are all on the agenda. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Ireland recorded their second consecutive bonus point win in the 2024 Six Nations scoring six tries - including a brace from Dan Sheehan and a first ever international try from Jack Crowley - in a 36-0 over Italy. Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey joined Sinéad Kissane after the game at the Aviva Stadium to discuss the performance whilst we also get the views of Andy Farrell, captain Caelan Doris...

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made six changes to the team that started the record-breaking win over France and he's selected Caelan Doris as captain for Sunday's Six Nations game with Italy at the Aviva stadium. Some of the changes to the team were injury-enforced. On today's episode of the Left Wing, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to go through all the big talking po...

Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery break down Ireland's record-setting win over France on the latest episode of The Left Wing. Andy Farrell's men were ruthless in Marseille on Friday night and the lads pick out a number of areas where they felt Ireland got the upper hand. Luke and Cian heap praise on the Irish attack and say that France head coach Fabien Galthié faces serious questions...

Ireland produced their best ever victory in France with a stunning 38-17 win over Les Bleus in the opening game of the 2024 Six Nations in Marseille. Andy Farrell's team scored five tries with Joe McCarthy producing a man of the match performance. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey joined Sinéad Kissane after the game at the Stade Velodrome to reflect on one of the all-time great Six Nations displa...

Today's Left Wing podcast comes to you from inside the Stade Velodrome on the eve of Ireland's Six Nations opener against France in Marseille. Sinéad Kissane and Rúaidhrí O'Connor were at the captains’ run and Peter O'Mahony's press conference today for the final build-up to a game that's been billed as the championship decider. Join us again on Friday after the final whistle when Sinéad, Rúaidhrí...

The Ireland team to play France in Friday's Six Nations opener in Marseille has been named. On today's episode of the Left Wing podcast, Rúaidhrí O'Connor joins Sinéad Kissane from Ireland's pre-Six Nations base in Portugal before they leave for France to discuss the big talking points of Andy Farrell's selection, including starts for Joe McCarthy and Calvin Nash, Garry Ringrose's absence through...

Ronan O'Gara breaks down France vs Ireland on the latest episode of The Left Wing ahead of Friday's Six Nations showdown. The La Rochelle head coach joined Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to look ahead to the blockbuster opening game as well as delve into his coaching journey in France. Luke and Will then preview the Six Nations along with Jonathan Bradley, starting with whether Ireland will suf...

The final round of the Champions Cup pool stage and round of 16 ties are up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast. Jonathan Bradley joins Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery to pick through Ulster's heavy defeat to Harlequins and to assess whether the northern province is better off in the Challenge Cup. Munster's collapse against Northampton, Leinster's win in Leicester and...

The launch of the 2024 Six Nations took place at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin today. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Dave Kelly joined Sinéad Kissane on the Left Wing podcast to discuss the big talking points of the day as Peter O'Mahony spoke for the first time since he was announced as Ireland captain. And head coach Andy Farrell discussed the debrief he'll have with the squad at Carton House as Irel...

It's the final weekend of pool games in the Champions Cup and on today's episode of the Left Wing podcast, Rúaidhrí O'Connor joins Sinéad Kissane to go through the team announcements from the provinces including the selection of the fit-again Harry Byrne at outhalf for Leinster against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. Munster host Northampton at Thomond Park, Ulster are away to Harlequins - all o...

With Peter O'Mahony named as the new Ireland captain for the 2024 Six Nations and Andy Farrell naming the 34-man squad for the upcoming tournament, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane on the latest Left Wing to talk about O'Mahony's promotion and the squad make-up. They also discuss the players who've missed out on selection in Farrell's squad and the likely make-up of the team t...

Munster's big win, Ulster's collapse and all the Champions Cup talking points were up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing with Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Tracey joining Will Slattery. Jack Crowley's man of the match performance helped Munster beat Toulon and Cian says it was ideal preparation for Ireland's Six Nations opener against France. The lads then discuss Peter O'Mahony's fu...

A big weekend of Champions Cup action is coming up with all four provinces taking on French opposition in round three. Munster have Peter O'Mahony back for their trip to Toulon while James Lowe and Tadhg Furlong returns for Leinster who have Ciaran Frawley starting at 10 for the visit of Stade Francais at the Aviva stadium. Ulster are in one of the games of the weekend as they welcome Toulouse whi...

The identity of Ireland's new captain is up for debate on the latest episode of the Left Wing. Luke Fitzgerald, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Will Slattery go through all the candidates ahead of next week's announcement, and also discuss who might make the cut for the Six Nations squad. Andy Farrell is set to be named Lions head coach later this week, but is it good for Irish rugby if he takes a sabbatica...

The New Year's Day inter-pro derbies are up for discussion on the first Left Wing podcast of 2024. Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald digest Ulster's shock win against Leinster at the RDS and Connacht outlasting Munster in a rain-soaked Sportsground. Luke was impressed with Billy Burns' kicking display and thinks that Jacob Stockdale could be making a push for Ireland inclusion. Meanwhile, Connacht...

Another dramatic weekend of Champions Cup rugby is up for discussion on the final Left Wing podcast of the year. Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Tracey and Will Slattery look back on Munster's collapse against Exeter, Leinster's sloppy win over Sale, Ulster's impressive victory against Racing 92 and another heavy defeat for Connacht. RG Snyman's controversial switch from Munster to Leinster, Andy Farrell's...

It could be one of the biggest moves in Irish rugby. It's been reported that RG Snyman will join Leinster next season when his contract finishes with Munster. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and CianTracey join Sinéad Kissane on the Left Wing podcast to discuss the response and ramifications of this possible move. They also go through the teams announced by the provinces ahead of the second weekend of the Champ...

Leinster's big win in La Rochelle was up for discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast with Luke Fitzgerald, Will Slattery and Rúaidhrí O'Connor. James Ryan's performance and the importance of getting over the La Rochelle hurdle were two big talking points after the game. Munster, Ulster and Connacht all failed to win while Jack Crowley's game time with Munster got particular atten...

It's opening weekend of the new Champions Cup season and there are some big talking points around team selection with, in particular, Harry Byrne being named at outhalf for Leinster's game away to defending champions La Rochelle on Sunday. It is Byrne's first Champions Cup start while Ciaran Frawley has been named on the bench. Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane on the latest Le...