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The Left Wing

Author: Irish Independent

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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.
576 Episodes
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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://www.instagram.com/energiaireland/ https://www.tiktok.com/@energiairelandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 for privacy information.
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.
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 sponsored by Energia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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/listener for privacy information.
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 for privacy information.
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.
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.
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.
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 EnergiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 podcast is sponsored by Energia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 EnergiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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.
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.
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.com/listener for privacy information.
Cian Tracey joins Will and Luke for a debrief of a South Africa clash where Ireland were sloppy, ill-disciplined and left themselves with the same questions as they had before the November series. Safe to say, there's a lot to talk about ... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yellow cards, scrum problems and a general sense of whether Ireland have fallen behind in 2025 come to the boil as Sinéad Kissane, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Cian Tracey break down South Africa's win in Dublin from the Aviva Stadium. Rugby on Indo Sport is sponsored by Energia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Comments (3)

A J

Disgraceful and shameful that Luke and Will didn't have the decency to call out that racist Francis for his despicable comments on Marcus Smith. Will never listen to these guys again. They are complicit in this racist behaviour.

Jul 23rd
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Pif Ting

well this didnt age very well

Mar 3rd
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Patrick Byrne

Luke, Question, when does the irish camp shut down after the Welsh game? Is it straight away or do they meet this eek for post match analysis and so forth?

Mar 19th
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