80+ column : Jan 22

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WRAP OF A 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.

Many thanks to both Rich Mifsud and David Cordial for helping me wrap the victory over Bath at the weekend. Unfortunately I had audio issues halfway through but sure yiz don’t need to be listening to little ol’ me anyway, the lads were more than enough to harp on the match!!!

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

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FRONT FIVE

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

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ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA

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TRIPLE THREAT

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ENGLAND CALL UPS

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WOUNDED WARRIOR

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ITV’S JONES-ING

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HARPIN ON…THE ROAD TO CARDIFF

For this week’s bonus chat the panel took a quick look at the brackets for the European competitions to see how the road ahead looks for the Irish provinces as well as other leading contenders.

My apologies for my audio issues here, consequence of self-producing!  Zoom stopped recognising my mic halfway through the wrap pod recording and I didn’t realise so it switched to the laptop one.

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LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

Tougher than usual 23 to call this week.  The mystery over Ciarán Frawley’s exclusion plus Tommy O’Brien’s curious omission from the injury update are just two obstacles.  But the unavailability of the Six Nations squad members is pretty much nailed on, except for those returning from a spell on the sidelines who need game time.

For the second week in a row I’m going to have Fraley at 10 in my lineup with the assumption that “he has to start” but obviously that comes with no guarantees.

Although we can’t play anywhere near our full squad, this is a fixture we really should be targeting whatever our standing in the URC as the Stormers are the only team in the competition we have never beated, with two away defeats plus a 22-22 draw right after Ireland’s 2023 Grand Slam. 

caveat : I have no “ITK” a la Thornley

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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.  

I really really wish I could say this guy was joking with his reply here, and in fact you’d almost wonder maybe he had the point about some kind of conspiracy against Munster by the “IRFU-minati” but hang on….THERE’S A MUNSTER PLAYER IN THE SHOT.

Much like Marcus O’B as I mention in the above Front 5 video, fair play to the “mother ship” for addressing it so quickly, and also fair play to Harpin contributors/Troll Patrol Officers Tom Coleman & ConorCronin  for identifying this week’s Troll Patrol detainee.

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EPCR ANNOUNCE WHENS & WHERES

As I’m putting this column together the EPCR have released the times for the Round of 16 in the two competitions.  No surprise that the two Sunday matches are both in France.  Leinster are the first province in action and it was confirmed that the venue will be Croke Park.   Not much doubt that La ROGelle v Munster is the tie of the round.

There’s just one wrinkle in this announcement was highlighted on X by frequent Harpin commenter Craig Williamson as you can see I replied with my own thoughts…

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Irish Shield

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Celtic Challenge

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All Ireland Leagues

WOMEN’S AIL

MEN’S AIL

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SVNS

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CHALLENGE CUP

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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.

For this coming weekend, we have the first of the Harpin’ Mug quarterfinals, and it’s me up against Jay Long.  My Superbru score this weekend will be put up against his for a spot in the semifinals.

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NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

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