80+ column : October 23

WRAP OF A WRAP

Just for this week we’re going to return to our “old school” style of 80+ columns without the Front Five video. Real life got in the way of regular content production last weekend when a family emergency caused the postponement of our Sunday evening wrap pod recording. Thankfully everything turned out ok at home and I am also grateful to both my scheduled contributors Conor Cronin and Cian O’Muilleoir for making themselves available at lunchtime on Monday to help produce an abridged-yet-still-excellent account of Leinster’s bonus point win in Galway.

ICYMI the pod click here to check it out on Spotify or you’ll also find it on Apple and most major platforms.

FRONT FIVE

**A selection of eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from the rugby media landscape**

Like I say above, I don’t have time to do a video to share my thoughts on this week’s Front 5, but I can briefly share them here.

On the Sexton thing of course, we’d be mad not to avail of his expertise in any way we can – though of course there are plenty of Irish ABL fans out there who will voice some sort of disapproval, especially with Ronan O’Gara doing so well as a coach. Personally I’d say why not try to get BOTH involved but you know, gaslighters gotta gaslight etc etc. On the two stories concerning actual coaches, both involve speculation but neither are surprising, Leinster have gotten off to a fast start to the season so why not inject suggestions of some behind the scenes uncertainty amirite? Then there’s the IRFU joining France in objecting to the 20m red being introduced to all top level tests, I really hope they can get more support in this effort to go against NZ & Aus and their absolutely absurd “ruining the game” narrative. Finally, our Clickbait of the Week feature returns with the old reliable Ruck.co.uk posing a question in the headline which I take great delight in answering with my choice of quote, thus saving you the click.

A selection of eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the rugby media landscape

JOHNNY MENTOR BE?

He would not be with the squad on a full-time basis but would spend a few hours a week passing on some of his knowledge gained during his glittering career

Johnny Sexton offered the chance to rejoin Andy Farrell’s Ireland team ahead of All Blacks showdown

Jared Wright – Planet Rugby

LEO’S FUTURE

A formal announcement is weeks away, but it is understood that Cullen and the province have reached an agreement on the future.

Leinster give Leo Cullen vote of confidence with a new two-year contract to keep him in place until 2027

Rúaidhrí O’Connor – Irish Independent

I’M ALRIGHT JACQUES

A formal announcement is weeks away, but it is understood that Cullen and the province have reached an agreement on the future.

Jacques Nienaber slams ‘misleading’ stories over his future with Leinster

Mark Donlon – Extra.ie

HIBERNO-FRENCH ALLIANCE

…the option of a permanent red card for deliberate and intentional acts of foul play supports those values and protects the integrity of the game.

Ireland criticise 20-minute red card ahead of controversial trial in autumn Tests

The Independent (UK)

CLICKBAIT OF THE WEEK

Despite all the success, Wilkinson is adamant that he doesn’t want his son to experience the pressures he faced during his rugby career.

Jonny Wilkinson Reveals if His Son Will Chase Rugby Glory Like Dad

Ruck.co.uk

HARPIN ON…THE LIONS Part II “The Bolters”

The second of our Harpin series looks at possible bolters for Andy Farrell’s squad. We concentrate on Irish players for now, I hope to have guests on from the other nations at some point to go over their candidates before anyone thinks we believe the team has to be mostly Irish!!!! That said…..nah, I best remain diplomatic for now.

IRISH SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

Just announced as we’re publishing, will comment on our Preview Show this Friday

LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

HARPIN’ MATCHDAY 23 V LIONS

A Osborne, Turner, Henshaw, Tector, Lowe, Prendergast, McGrath

Boyle, G McCarthy, Clarkson, J McCarthy, RG Snyman, Deegan, Penny, Culhane

Smyth, Milne, Slimani, Deeny, Connors, Gunne, R Byrne, Cooney

Caveat : I have no “ITK”

INJURY UPDATE – AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Robbie Henshaw: has resumed full training and will be available for selection this weekend.

INJURY UPDATE – FURTHER ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:

Ryan Baird: is in the final stages of the Graduated Return to Play Protocols and subject to coming through them, will be available for selection at the weekend.

Ciarán Frawley: rolled his ankle in the first half in Galway and while not serious, will be further assessed as the week progresses before a final decision is made on his availability.

Joe McCarthy: will step up his training programme this week from a hamstring injury and will be further assessed before a final decision is made on his availability.

Jordan Larmour: will step up his training programme this week and will be further assessed towards the end of the week before a final decision is made on his availability.

John McKee: will step up his rehabilitation programme this week and will be further assessed towards the end of the week before a final decision is made on his availability.

INJURY UPDATE – NOT AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Lee Barron: won’t be available for selection this week as he manages a minor ankle injury sustained in the game against Munster.

NO FURTHER UPDATES ON:

Dan Sheehan, Paddy McCarthy, Jimmy O’Brien, Rob Russell, Jack Conan, Rónan Kelleher and Tommy O’Brien.

TROLL PATROL

Now it’s time for Troll Patrol where we ‘detain’ a social media commentator and charge them with gaslightery and general online mayhem.

This week’s detainee is an x account that is apparently meant to defend the ‘Tier 2’ nations yet seems to spend a lot of time having a go at Irish rugby in general, Ronan O’Gara in particular. This time they trot out the tired old ‘private schools’ line, as ever forgetting that no matter where the funding comes from, the sport has to be organised from a tiny player pool compared to other nations.