Hi there, welcome to Broken Play, aka my Saturday morning Substack scribbling, and since you’re here, if you haven’t already, please hit the subscribe button if you don’t mind.
Many thanks once more to Hugo Gordon for recording his part in our Preview Show looking ahead to the big match with South Africa, unfortunately our schedules didn’t allow us to record at the same time but we still managed to cover the match pretty well I thought, click here to judge for yourself.
It has been a cold week round these parts, hasn’t been that long since I could easily go outside in a t-shirt yet now we’re digging out the scarves and gloves. It’s the kind of weather that makes even a seasoned rugby fan like myself even just a tiny bit happy not to be heading to the Aviva later on, although I suppose if a free ticket were to fall in my lap by this evening I might change my tune. That’s not a hint to anyone reading this by the way. No, no, I REALLY mean it, it’s not.
So last Sunday due to a late (and totally understandable) withdrawal of my wrap pod guest at the 11th hour I was forced to do it “solo” and I actually surprised myself how relatively unafraid I was to do it. That may sound odd because if I have a podcast, surely I have no trouble talking into a microphone, one would say.
That’s true to an extent, but for the most part I’m very OCD about how I produce content, especially the spoken variety. Some people are much better suited to freewheeling when it coms to talking but I need to be prepared and generally I put the time in producing scripts beforehand, at least for the filler parts like intros, outros and links between segments.
I normally let my guest select the themes from the match in question so what I do is let them harp on them for about 5 minutes or so then we have some back and forth, but I also have what I call my “must mention list” which is a set of points I want to make sure get brought up and although the guest hits most of them anyway, I can offer the rest. So when called upon to do the solo I ended up just going through the list point by point and hey presto I had myself a show.
Anyway my point here is that probably the biggest reason for my improved confidence in these situations is my weekly gig on DublinSouthFM with David Nolan. For full disclosure I had received offers for gigs like these a few times over the years and turned them down, telling people I was too busy and such when the real reason a was a big fat chicken! I guess the thought of not having control over the narrative of an interview spooked me and I preferred to stay in my comfort zone of setting the talking points myself.
But by the time David approached my for this DSFM spot I was well aware that I was long overdue facing this particular fear, so I took it on and now I really enjoy doing it. I mean it’s hardly This Week In Politics…the subject matter is something I know about anyway and more often than not we chat within an hour of finishing my recording for the preview show so it’s not like the subject isn’t fresh in my mind.
We welcome guest posts here at Harpin’ Manor, if you would like to get involved in the conversation forward your articles to paganoblog@gmail.com
For the past decade, Leo Cullen has been the steady hand guiding Leinster Rugby through an era of domestic dominance. Since taking the reins in 2015, Cullen has delivered five United Rugby Championship titles and a Champions Cup triumph in 2018. Yet, despite their glittering squad and attacking flair, Leinster have fallen short on Europe’s biggest stage in recent years—losing four consecutive Champions Cup finals and suffering a semi-final defeat to Northampton in 2025.
Often spoken about as a future Ireland Team Manager, Cullen’s stock has fallen in recent years. The aforementioned European defeats, in particular, have been very damaging. Costly refusals by his teams to “take the three points on offer”, whether by penalty or drop goal, stands in stark contrast to the mindset of the top clubs and international sides – the reigning world champions, South Africa, being a prime example of how to consistently win finals by keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
In comparison to Soccer, Rugby union’s revenue is far smaller and only concentrated in a few regions. Rugby Union relies heavily on Marquee Events, such as the Rugby World Cup, every four years, and British & Irish Lions tours. These events effectively subsidise the rest of the game. Outside these peaks, most unions and clubs operate at a loss. In 2023/24, the top 10 unions posted a combined loss of almost €130 million, and Premiership/Top 14 clubs lost over €90 million. Figures are harder to come by / assess for the Irish provinces, but the IRFU share was recorded as €18.4 million, which led to the discontinuation of the Men’s Sevens programme, earlier this year.
The precarious financial position of Rugby Union finances is a problem for Cullen in that he is perceived, by many, to have underachieved with the resources at his disposal. This makes landing another head coach role in the professional game that bit more challenging for him. Clubs and unions want to extract every last ounce from their teams and not be too calm and/or comfortable with defeats.
Leo Cullen is locked in until 2027, so there’s no immediate vacancy. Yet with the RDS Arena redevelopment set to be unveiled ahead of the 2026 Dublin Horse Show, could Leinster Rugby view a change at the helm as part of their new era? Or, indeed, could Cullen himself decide to move on to new pastures?
With speculation mounting, here are some possible names in the frame to take over:
Jacques Nienaber – The Defensive Mastermind
Currently serving as Leinster’s senior coach, Nienaber arrived fresh from guiding South Africa to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. His defensive systems have already tightened Leinster’s game, and his contract runs until 2026. If Cullen moves on, Nienaber is the most logical successor—continuity, pedigree, and proven success at the highest level. Springboks will rarely let their teams turn down three points on offer.
Stuart Lancaster – The Architect of Leinster’s Modern Game
Lancaster’s fingerprints are all over Leinster’s attacking identity. During his tenure (2016–2023), he transformed the province into a powerhouse of skill and structure. After a stint at Racing 92, Lancaster returned to Ireland as Connacht head coach. His familiarity with Leinster’s culture and player development makes him a compelling candidate—if timing aligns.
Michael Cheika – The Maverick Option
Always be wary about the return of a head coach – Warren Gatland and Wales comes to mind! Cheika is a name that sparks debate. The Australian coached Leinster to their first Heineken Cup title in 2009 and has since led national teams and World Cup campaigns. His fiery personality and bold approach could inject fresh energy, but would Leinster gamble on a coach known for volatility?
Internal Promotions – McBryde or Bleyendaal
Robin McBryde (forwards coach) and Tyler Bleyendaal (attack coach) have both signed extensions through 2027. Highly respected within the Leinster setup, they offer continuity if the province opts for evolution rather than revolution. However, neither has head coach experience at this level, which poses a risk. Given the scrum’s standout performance against Munster in an otherwise disappointing defeat, McBryde would likely be the preferred internal candidate over Bleyendaal should Leinster choose to promote from within
External Big Names
Leinster’s job is one of the most coveted in world rugby. Expect speculation around:
Joe Schmidt It is hard to keep up with Schmidt. Since stepping down as Ireland head coach in 2019, he has been the Director of Rugby and High Performance at World Rugby, joined the Blues (Super Rugby) as an assistant coach and became a selector and attack coach for the All Blacks, helping them reach the 2023 Rugby World Cup final (lost narrowly to South Africa). He was then appointed Wallabies head coach in January 2024 on a two-year deal, replacing Eddie Jones, tasked with rebuilding Australia ahead of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. He has always stated that he wishes to prioritise family commitments but he does still own a house in Dublin! Again, as with Cheiks, always be wary about the return of a head coach.
Ronan O’Gara Despite being a fully paid up member of Ireland’s “Sparta”, ROG has family ties to Blackrock (The Dublin one!). Very familiar with Leinster, both as a player and a manager, the mere thought of him taking the job would be too much for many of our southern brethren. Archie Macpherson’s description of the legendary Celtic FC manager, Jock Stein, was that he was “A Protestant chieftain of a Catholic clan”. Sport has seen stranger twists. His arrival would have many players on edge long before the first team meeting.
Andy Farrell Although his current contract with the IRFU runs until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Andy Farrell and Leinster could be a perfect match for each other. He has often highlighted his Irish roots and the sense of community he and his family have found since moving to Dublin. Whilst the life of a rugby coach is often nomadic, Farrell may be reluctant to move again – at least for a while. And who knows, Owen, who will be thirty six in 2027, might decide to join his father as a coach at Leinster? That would be box office!
Eddie Jones The “Davy Fitz” of rugby coaches would certainly get a response! Not going to happen, though. Would be box office times ten!
Rising stars from Super Rugby or the Top 14 Leinster, as a general rule, have tended to recruit well when looking for head coaches. However, it is unlikely that they will look past established candidates this time around.
The Big Question
Leinster’s next head coach must do more than maintain domestic dominance—they need to conquer Europe. Style of play, cultural fit, and timing will all shape the decision. For now, Leo Cullen remains in charge, but the succession debate is only just beginning…
I’m Andy Corbett and I live in Leopardstown, Dublin. I am a huge sports fan but GAA, Rugby (Both Codes) and Football are my favourites. Enjoy a bit of writing here and there but have been advised to stick to my day job.
This article? Let’s just say it’s the lovechild of some wild spitballing with a few mysterious insiders who prefer to remain in the witness protection program…
The above article has been published without editorial modification, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the signed author. Harpin On Rugby is committed to providing a platform for rugby fans to share their views through comments, videos, and articles, provided they meet our moderation standards.
Questioned in recent weeks, accused of being a team in serious decline, players being told in the media they were past their sell by date, line out coach and best lock in Irish history told he was shyte at his job. Then we get the best Irish performance since RWC 2023 and one as unpredicted as smashing France in Marseilles in 2024. Australia absolutely failed to deal with the weather conditions and coughed up a lot of easy possession in the red zone but this was the Irish team giving Andy Farrell and Paul O’Connell a performance they’ve been owed for a while. Despite the absence of lions Joe McCarthy, Van Der Flier, Ringrose and Keenan the team was rejigged into a cohesive unit and its clear there is more depth in the squad than has been thought for a couple of years, players like Henshaw and Hansen look reinvented whilst McCloskey looks to be the most unlucky player in recent history in only getting short stints. Hopefully the team can match this performance again next week and hopefully the BOK evolution hasn’t moved on too much since last summer’s drawn series.
Adrian Hickey
Australia still in shock after the Lynagh/Ioane show last week I reckon. When our very sick, reintroduced fb Mack can help himself to a hattrick out of position says quite a bit. Ronan not cutting the mustard the last bit. Gus on bench at hooker next week to back up Dano or he has to do 80. Kudos to Sambo for the drop btw
Bert McLoughlin
A lot more cohesive this week and apart from poor discipline in the 1st half we should have kept their score lower
Kettlebell Padawen
Sam’s best game in green. Australia were shocking
David Ryle
Sam should have shut his detractors up but no they’re still nit picking his performance.
Rob Gardner (via BlueSky)
JPG could give anywhere between 1-15 a good go.
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Here at Harpin’ Manor we have made a commitment to cover the Leinster & Ireland senior men;s team rugby by featuring their matches on a weekly basis by way of two pods per contest, one for a preview, and one for a wrap. We do this regardless of the importance of the fixture. So whether it’s a marquee matchup, against Munster at Croker or the All Blacks in Chicago, or an outing that will be virtually forgotten once the full time whistle blows, like against Zebre or Japan (all due respect etc), we’ll be there harpin’ on ‘em.
It’s our way of keeping tabs on the overall rugby scene – we have things like this column to cover the wider world and BlueSky & Facebook to pass comment on things that happen during the week in real time, but it’s the pods that do most of our lifting, and as ever I’m grateful to the team of contributors for joining me for the chats each time. On this occasion it was Conor Cronin sharing his views on the win over Japan, and for this one we reverted to the “Harpin old school” format of covering each half separately and I reckon it worked pretty well. Click here to check it out if you missed it.
GOODMAN YOURSELF
By Goodman and the players’ own admission, Ireland’s backline detail has not been where it needs to be.
Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman out to get the better of mentor Joe Schmidt
Johnny Watterson – Irish Times
I find it fascinating that Andy Farrell has taken so much stick in articles and social media comments over the past couple of weeks…I mean sure, the buck does stop with him but if his track record at the Irish helm doesn’t earn him any mitigation, surely the fact that he was away from the role for the bulk of 2025, not to mention so was a large contingent of players as well.
So with the Irish attack failing to fire on all cylinders, plus all the lineout woes, you’d think we might be transferring some more focus on the unit coaches, not necessarily to blame in such away that they should be fired necessarily, more to at least acknowledge their responsibility.
Paul O’Connell currently has the lineout in his bailiwick and no doubt will have a plan to sort out the very obvious yips, and when it comes to the attack, there’s Andrew Goodman. I have to say we were never exactly dazzled by his time at Leinster, a province that certainly earned the moniker with “-tainment” tacked on to the name for a reason.
And this makes me wonder, not for the first time, if high ranking positions in the Irish set-up are “promised” more than they are earned. I know this makes me sound like a classic tinfoil hat blogger but I’m just putting this out there – when you’re combing the southern hemisphere for what you consider to be the best coaching talent, is it enough to offer a position within a province, even Leinster, or does it help to have some extra leverage in your back pocket like a promise of a guaranteed promotion after a certain amount of time?
But like I say, that’s just a crackpot theory from the outside…at least in this article Goodman acknowledges there have been issues much like the lineouts (although the two are clearly related given how pretty much all of Ireland’s tries over he last two weekend’s have come following the setpiece working) so we can look forward to seeing how they have been worked on in training.
A win was satisfying in the end to change the whole squad near enough and not be a million miles away is success in my eyes can you imagine if we played the majority off the squad today in most or all games how they could transform into another golden era lol
Always happy with a win
Bert McLoughlin
Very poor 1st half, looks like nobody has any idea what’s happening with the lineout. 2nd half was better when Prendergast, Conan and C Prendergast came on the field
Mark Hunter
Sloppy, clunky unimpressive
Conor C (via BlueSky)
The difference getting clean ball and then changing up first receiver made was huge. Allowed the attack to get set more and then for Sam to take the ball a little wider with options available to him
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Hi there, welcome to Broken Play, aka my Saturday morning Substack scribbling, and since you’re here, if you haven’t already, please hit the subscribe button if you don’t mind.
When I was harping on Leinster’s match against Zebre the weekend before last, I kept saying how there was no result the boys in blue could achieve that would help the fans get over the disappointment of Croke Park the week before, and that the same happened in May when the same Italian opponents rocked up to the Aviva seven days after the Northampton defeat.
For some reason it didn’t occur to me that Andy Farrell’s Ireland are in a similar boat today as they prepare to face Japan, although perhaps the expectations of victory in Chicago weren’t as high as the previous two weeks. Thankfully Keego spotted that in the preview show and it does make today’s test match at HQ a little less of a spectacle than it could be, which could explain why I keep getting emails about the “last remaining tickets still available”, although the easier explanation is that they’re just too goddam expensive amidst a cost of living crisis in the country, I suppose that’s a matter of opinion.
Whatever the reason I find myself drawn more to the double header of sorts this evening, with a fascinating Ireland XV playing Spain at 4pm and France hosting the Springboks at 8 – a veritable feast of rugby union for a Saturday that makes “getting family stuff done” something of a military operation.
Speaking of family, I thought I’d use my column this week to harp on myself for a change, or at least how I came to become enough of a fan of rugby union to maintain an online entity for the best part of two decades. It most certainly has not been the traditional route for Irish rugby fans.
And what is this “traditional route” exactly? Well, while the sport has definitely grown a lot in popularity over the years, I’m not quite sure it has yet shaken the tag of “niche”, particularly with such a complicated set of Laws continuing to form a barrier to turning casual fans who tune in for the test matches into ones who will tune in every week to my podcast.
So definitely the most common way the sport seeps into people’s souls is through family. Your grandfather once togged out with Tony Ward. Your uncle was captain of Mary’s Junior 3rds for ten years. Your big brother played in that Senior Cup team that almost beat Rock that time. And since 2013/14, plenty of inspiration for girls to get involved in women’s rugby, given the right support structures of course.
But for me, there was absolutely nothing in my past to connect me to egg-chasing, far from it. in fact, VERY far from it, over 8000km to be more precise. I lived the first 8 years of my life in a town called Pittsburg in California, though I eventually stopped telling people that in casual conversation as they usually mistook it for the one ending in ‘h’ that’s in Pennsylvania. So instead I’d use the name of the town that had the hospital where I was born, which had the much more “mom and apple pie” name of Walnut Creek.
To explain why I was raised by my grandparents, and to then explain why they brought that 8-year-old only child to Ireland, would take me way too far from the subject matter so I’ll leave you with those two facts for this article and leave the details for my memoirs 😜.
So there we were, an American couple in their early 60s and an 8-year old boy arriving in Dublin. Their dream, or at least my grandfather’s, had always been to settle in a cottage in Connemara or something like that for their retirement but with me in tow, they thought it best to settle around the capital, and obviously once here, it was important to get me established in a school.
At the time, school was just that, school. 8 year old me wasn’t going to know the difference between public and private, but now I do appreciate how fortunate I was for them to be able to get me into quite an exclusive private one. And with the new surroundings came a lot of new things to both appreciate and purchase, like school uniforms, and also uniform for some sport called rugby, which was pretty much a second religion at the school.
Sometimes we love rugby because it’s not simple, but sometimes this backfires.
Pass to Barrett is forward, so he’s offside and not in play, therefore technically he’s obstructing beirne. How this was deemed a yellow baffles me, a red makes me lose faith.
Ireland simply weren’t good enough but my god the quality of officiating was dire.
Tommy O’Brien held back and then deemed to have knocked on, madness.
We can’t be this bad again but world rugby need to do something to get better refs
Cormac Mannion
What exactly do Goodman and O’Connell offer as coaches? Zero line breaks and multiple lineout turnovers tonight. Not the first time either. Our lineout has been muck for several years
Yvonne Dowd
Shit!! Red card?? ‘Dangerous tackle’??
Christy O’Connor
Some serious questions to be asked. Lineout has been poor since the last world cup and NZ were missing 2 of their locks.
Crowley made some poor decisions in the 2nd half but I’d still have him ahead of Sam for the moment. Red card was ridiculous, Beirne was standing still, so how can they say a high degree of danger
Lorcán Murphy
Do we need a change of lineout coach? And does Andy have the balls to ditch POC? It hasn’t functioned the past 2 years and is a key component of our attack. No lineout, no attack
Brian Connell
Ireland … dare I say it … undercooked??
Pearse O Donnell
Ireland were dazzled by the All Black’s footwork.
Those fluorescent boots would frighten the living shīte out of any opponent.
A masterstroke from Razor.🤣🤣
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