80+ column : January 8

---

WRAP OF NO WRAP

Hello and welcome to our latest 80+ column where I generally harp on things not so Leinster-and-or-Ireland-men’s-team-related.

I usually start with a few lines on the logistics of our latest pod recording, but obviously this week there wasn’t one, we took a mini break of sorts and this is our first content since the New Year’s Day 80+ column.  Gearing up for a return with a bang though as there is of course a massive Champions Cup date with our old friends from La Rochelle to look forward to.

But if you want to sample our pods and maybe subscribe so you get our next ones, click here to check it out on Spotify or you’ll also find them on Apple and most major platforms.

---

FRONT FIVE

---

MACK’S ATTACK

---

AFTER ANDY

---

NOVEL GRAPHIC

---

ENGLAND BLOW

---

SOME NECK ON ‘IM

---

HARPIN ON…FRAWLEY TIME

Obviously no bonus chat this week, but two good reasons for this re-posting of a clip from 2024; first it was from our most-listened-to pod of the year according to Spotify Wrapped, and second because it’s timely what with Ciarán Frawley also doing some last-gasp heroics the last time Leinster visited the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

SOWING DISCORD

We put ourselves out there on multiple platforms here at Harpin’ Manor but there have to be limits and we can’t be on ALL of them so if we decide to try something new, something else should probably go.  

And I’ve been keen to try out Discord for a while.  We have a WhatsApp channel for our regular contributors and outside that the only space for people to do their Harpin has been social media replies, Facebook comments and such.  And there are a good few ‘regulars’ who not only keep coming back but also offer really good input so I wanted to try a space where I could ask them to contribute more regularly.

Thus we launched our private Discord channel – no,I’m not asking for money to be involved but it will be invitation only.  Over the coming weeks I’ll be reaching out to those I feel have been part of the Harpin chat over the years and hopefully grow the community to a few dozen for the time being and more in future.

As for what had to go, well that was easy enough – I’ve gotten little or no engagement from Mastodon over the past few years since joining.  It just never took off the way Blue Sky did so no real point sharing stuff over there.  now with what I’ve been learning about Zuckerburg’s plans to ditch fact checking I may need to re-think my presence in the Meta-verse but for now we’ll keep going and see how things pan out.

LIONS CHATTER

As a segué from the about chat about Zuckerburg’s social media empire, I recently noticed something very rare – a post that caught my eye on Threads. It’s from the official British & Irish Lions account and they published a poll they ran over fans’ selections for the 2025 team.

First, it was interesting because they listed them in reverse order, but there’s also plenty to harp on when it comes to the selections themselves. I really thought that with SO many more England fans out there, a poll would have Smith and Itoje in the top slots, with Itoje on the fast track to the captaincy, but it really does look like the majority is going with Caelan. I’m conflicted about this, obviously it would be a great honour for him and he’s well able for the job, but as a Leinster/Ireland fan I think I’d want the skipper of both teams to stay focused on the job at hand without all the distractions and media responsibilities that come with this role.

Elsewhere the list has few surprises, although I’m not so sure I’d have Duhan anywhere near a full strength Lions 23, plus I’d love to see Jack Willis’ name at least involved in these discussions just for divilment.

I know interest in the Lions is waning and I’m going off the concept more than most, but that said when it comes to picking teams I’m always up for some harpin, plus when the series itself happens we can’t exactly ignore it.

---

LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

On last week’s column I picked a 23 to play La Rochelle but I was missing an injury update from after the win at Thomond Park – this wasn’t made available until Tuesday lunchtime and it was full of very positive news with Keenan, Frawley and Clarkson very important names to jump into the “available for selection” group.  

Naturally with that comes a downside in a lot of difficult decisions but while I never like saying someone is ideal for the bench, for me the reality of the moment is that Ciarán Frawley’s fitness allows for a 6/2 split bench.  If we went for 5/3 instead I’d probably swap out Baird for Jamie Osborne.

I’m not wild about leaving Henshaw out but an extra rest week ahead of the 6N wouldn’t be the worst for him and I just couldn’t bring myself to omit Jordie for this clash. I also mulled over Jamie O at 13 but I reckon our defence needs to be at it’s A1 best which always means Garry.

When it comes to the pack there’s the possibility of a continuation of The Porter Experiment we harped on last week, maybe Church will start with a power 20/30m allowing Andrew to see the game out, but I’ll put AP at 1 for this selection anyway.  Max Deegan’s lineout form on either side’s throw gets him the nod at 6 for me.

As for Tadhg, if there’s even a hint of doubt about his readiness I say don’t risk him, especially with Clarkson back available.

caveat : I have no “ITK” a la Thornley

---

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 we have the very rare and hopefully unintentional “self-troll”.  After Northampton’s high-scoring and last-gasp victory over Bath on Sunday, I’m pretty sure the social media person for Rugby World mag thought this poll would go a very different way. 

But when you add up these factions from around the ruggersphere …

1. those who don’t necessarily equate high-scoring rugby with entertainment
2. those who never miss an opportunity to have a pop at anything English, and
3. those who know the obvious real truth that the URC is in fact the Best League…

…you can see why the poll ended up the way it did.

The small amount of votes is also something of a self-troll, I would’ve thought RW would get a lot more engagement.  Maybe this is a sign that a lot of their readers made the jump to Blue Sky?

---

---

Irish Shield

---

Celtic Challenge

---

All Ireland Leagues

WOMEN’S AIL

MEN’S AIL

---

SVNS

---

CHALLENGE CUP

---

Premiership

---

🔝🐱🐴

ProD2

Japan League One

Harpin Prediction League

This is the 4th season of our Superbru prediction league among Harpin’ pod contributors.  

Kristian is the reigning champion, but the real competition is in avoiding finishing last, which means you must wear The Jersey of Shame.  I had to wear it the first year, while Keego has had the honour the past two seasons.  As you can see our resident stats expert Rugby Kino is leading the way but we’re only reaching the halfway stage, and we’ve also added a Cup (or Mug) competition to make things interesting.

---

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

---