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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

October 2022

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen (right) with Stuart Lancaster. Image: Sportsfile.

‘How many internationals are in the Leinster squad? They don’t need overseas players’

Luke Fitzgerald says that Leinster don't need overseas reinforcements to win back the Champions Cup.

Emerging Ireland enjoyed an easy win in their first game in South Africa. Photo by Johan Pretorius/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: The desperation derby, is Emerging Ireland tour pointless and do Leinster need overseas stars?

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to discuss all the latest rugby news.

September 2022

Stuart Lancaster and Johnny Sexton are both set to leave Leinster at the end of the season. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: End of the Lancaster era, Munster's concerning start and Bundee Aki sees red

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor to discuss all the latest rugby news.

Ciaran Frawley is set to start at out-half for Emerging Ireland on their tour to South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

‘If I was Ciaran Frawley, I would be fuming going on this’ – is Emerging Ireland tour a good idea?

Luke Fitzgerald has questioned the value of the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa that is set to disrupt the start of the URC season for the provinces.

Stuart McCloskey has only won six Ireland caps. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: The McCloskey question, why provinces aren't happy with 'Emerging' Ireland and Raynal's big decision

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to discuss the first round of the URC and the Emerging Ireland squad.

Jack Conan, breaks through the tacklebags held by Ed Byrne and Thomas Clarkson during a Leinster Rugby squad training session at UCD in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Left Wing: Rugby returns, the Qatar question and should 'Emerging Ireland' be going on tour?

The Left Wing is back for another season and Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor to look ahead to what promises to be a massive year for Irish rugby.

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.

Leinster's Ciarán Frawley with team-mate James Lowe. 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.

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