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Independentie

News [1]
Opinion [2]
Business [3]
Sport [4]
Life [5]
Style [7]
Entertainment [8]
Travel [9]

Menu Sections

The Left Wing

July 2022

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's contract runs up to the 2023 World Cup. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

'Talking to English colleagues, they think Andy Farrell will be the next England head coach'

Andy Farrell's stock has never been higher as the Ireland head coach basks in the glory of leading his team to a historic series win in New Zealand.

Ireland players celebrate after a try against New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Ireland make history, Andy Farrell's contract situation and the rise of Josh van der Flier

On the final Left Wing podcast of the season, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor to reflect on Ireland's historic series win in New Zealand.

Johnny Sexton is hoping to lead Ireland to a series win in New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Ireland chase history in New Zealand, Jaco Peyper's performance and Ciaran Frawley's future

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by the Irish Independent’s Cian Tracey and Sky New Zealand’s Ross Karl to discuss all the latest news from New Zealand.

Two-try hero Andrew Porter of Ireland celebrates against New Zealand in their second Test win at Dunedin, New Zealand.. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

The Left Wing Extra: Post-match reaction to Ireland's epic 23-12 second Test win over the All Blacks

History has been made. Ireland have finally beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand after a wild second test that saw them win 23-12 in Dunedin.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is in contention for the second Test against New Zealand (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The Left Wing: The Johnny Sexton debate, Ireland's composure issue and the view from New Zealand

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey and Liam Napier of the New Zealand Herald to discuss all the latest news from the Ireland tour.

June 2022

Joe Schmidt is working with the All Blacks this week. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Tough night for the young guns, All Blacks under pressure and the Joe Schmidt factor

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey and Ross Karl from Sky New Zealand to discuss an eventful week for the Ireland team.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell with captain Johnny Sexton. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Can Ireland win a test series in New Zealand?

Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look ahead to Ireland's tour of New Zealand with the Irish Independent’s Cian Tracey on this week’s Left Wing podcast.

Andy Farrell has selected his squad for the tour of New Zealand. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Ireland's touring party, Leinster's trophyless season and Ulster's missed opportunity

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to discuss Andy Farrell's Ireland squad and the URC semi-finals.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan, left, and Craig Casey react after the defeat to Ulster. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: End of an era in Munster, confident Ulster and the Ireland/South Africa final four

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look back at Ulster's win over Munster and are joined by AP Cronje to look ahead to the URC semi-finals.

Johnny Sexton walks past the trophy after his side's defeat in the Heineken Champions Cup Final. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Champions Cup review - Leinster come up short again as La Rochelle reign supreme

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look back on the Champions Cup final.

May 2022

Leinster are looking to join Toulouse as having won the Champions Cup five times. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Champions Cup final preview - can Leinster add a fifth star to their jersey?

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look ahead to the Champions Cup final.

Johnny Sexton celebrates after beating Toulouse. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Leinster's need for speed, scrum concerns and Ronan O'Gara's achievement

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look back on the Champions Cup semi-final weekend.

Leinster saw off Leicester at Welford Road after building a 20-0 lead in the first half. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Clinical Leinster, Munster's near miss and can Toulouse break Irish hearts again?

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look back on the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Johnny Sexton is set to lead Leinster away to Leicester on Saturday. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Champions Cup quarter-final preview - Leinster and Munster facing tough European tests

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look ahead to the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

April 2022

Sene Naoupu and Dorothy Wall tackle Jess Breach of England. Photo by Darren Staples/Sportsfile

The Left Wing Extra: After England rout, has a reckoning finally come for the Irish women's rugby team?

After the heavy defeat to England, is this now a moment of reckoning for Ireland’s women’s rugby team with professional contracts set to be the next phase in the XV game’s development here?

Makozole Mapimpi of Cell C Sharks runs out before the United Rugby Championship match against Leinster. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: The South African surge, URC on the up and the refereeing problem

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by South African rugby journalist AP Cronje to discuss the resurgence of the South African teams in the URC.

Connacht head coach Andy Friend questioned his players after the heavy defeat to Leinster. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Last 16 crackers, Connacht's issues and Joey Carbery's big game

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Jonathan Bradley of The Belfast Telegraph to discuss the Champions Cup round of 16.

Sean O'Brien enjoyed a stellar career with Ireland. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Sean O'Brien on retirement decision, his best season and the one game he still thinks about

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Sean O'Brien to look back on the Ireland legend's career.

The Left Wing: Cliodhna Moloney on Ireland’s must-win game against Italy and her disappointing omission from the squad

Cliodhna Moloney, the Wasps hooker who was a surprise omission from Ireland’s Six Nations squad, joins Sinéad Kissane and Cian Tracey on the latest episode of the Left Wing to look ahead to Ireland’s must-win game against Italy on Sunday.

James Lowe celebrates after scoring his side's fourth try with team-mate Ciarán Frawley. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Leinster's statement, Munster's struggles and Greg McWilliams on Ireland's Six Nations challenge

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor to discuss Leinster's big win over Munster and Ireland women's head coach Greg McWilliams to discuss the Six Nations campaign to date.

March 2022

Beibhinn Parsons is on the bench for Ireland for the second week in a row. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Claire Molloy on Ireland’s clash with France and Beibhinn Parsons being kept on the bench

On the latest Left Wing podcast Sinéad Kissane previews Ireland women’s Six Nations crunch clash against France with Cian Tracey and former Ireland captain, Claire Molloy.

Stuart McCloskey is tackled against the Stormers. Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: South African resurgence, Ireland's green shoots and England's succession plan

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald discuss all the latest rugby news and are joined by Chris Foy in the UK to chat about Eddie Jones, England and their coaching succession plan.

The Ireland team celebrate with the Triple Crown trophy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: The Six Nations review - strong attack, accuracy issues and front row concerns

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery is joined by Cian Tracey to review the 2022 Six Nations.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell with England head coach Eddie Jones. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Left Wing Extra: Ireland change things up, Scotland's out-half dilemma and why England can rip up the script

Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor to discuss Ireland's team selection for the Six Nations finale against Scotland.

Ireland players celebrate their fourth try, scored by Finlay Bealham. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Ireland's title chances, France's big moment and Alex Corbisiero on England's scrum dominance

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by former England prop Alex Corbisiero to look back on Ireland's record win in Twickenham.

Johnny Sexton is set to retire after the 2023 World Cup. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Sexton's World Cup swansong, Ireland's Twickenham worries and Eddie Jones' excuses

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor to look ahead to Ireland's Six Nations showdown with England on Saturday.

Irish players celebrate a try against Italy. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Sloppy Ireland, confused England and misfiring Scotland

On the latest episode of The Left Wing podcast, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ian Madigan to discuss Ireland's win over Italy and the campaign to date.