Author: jlpagano

80+ column : Oct 2

Our weekly newsletter looking at the latest news around the ruggersphere

WRAP OF A WRAP

Joining me on this week’s wrap pod was Rich Mifsud & Jay Long they put an amazing amount of lipstick on the pig that was the Leinster v Dragons match, if you missed it please check it out here.

HARPIN ON…THE LIONS Part 1 : “The Bankers”

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

VANCOUVER VICTORY

King rumbled over from close range again to level at 27-27. O’Brien kept her composure to deliver the winning additional two points from the tee.

Ireland Makes Massive Strides – Women’s Six Nations Shaping Well

The Rugby Paper

MORE EMERGING NEWS

Ireland Sevens Olympian Zac Ward (pictured below) is named on the left wing in a pacy-looking back three alongside Rob Russell and Ben O’Connor who starts at full-back.

Easterby Names Emerging Ireland Team To Face The Pumas

IrishRugby.ie

RACING JACK?

…former Leinster mastermind Lancaster is, according to Rugbypass, eyeing a 2025 move for Conan

Racing 92 boss Stuart Lancaster makes moves to lure Ireland star to France

Adam Lacey – Extra.ie

SEXTON OBSESS10N

“I stand there, hands on hips, staring in disbelief at Barnes, Rieko Ioane still comes up to me and tells me, ‘Get back ten metres.’”

Johnny Sexton Reveals What Rieko Ioane Actually Said To Him After World Cup Loss

Joshua Bell Curran – Balls.ie

RUGBY’S MEH CHAMPIONSHIP

Erasmus paid the price for leaving the majority of his starting XV at home for the defeat by Argentina in an otherwise perfect campaign in terms of results.

What have we learned from the Rugby Championship?

Alastair Telfer – BBC.com

LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

HARPIN’ MATCHDAY 23 V BENETTON

J Osbourne, J O’Brien, Turner, H Byrne, Larmour, Frawley, Gibson-Park

Milne, Barron, Clarkson, McCarthy, Snyman, Deegan, Penny, Conan (c)

McKee, Healy, Slimani, Deeny, Baird, McGrath, R Byrne, McErlean

Caveat : I have no “ITK”

INJURY UPDATE – AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Michael Milne: came through the game on Friday with no issues after his recovery from an ankle injury.

INJURY UPDATE – FURTHER ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:

RG Snyman: will step up his rehabilitation programme further this week as he nears a return from a foot injury.

UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION THIS WEEK:

Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, John McKee, Paddy McCarthy and Tommy O’Brien.

TROLL PATROL

LOADS of example to choose from to highlight what I was talking about in the Front 5 video but this was among my favourites and thus is this week’s Troll Patrol detainee.

Irish Women’s team

All Ireland Leagues

Women’s

Men’s

Premiership

🔝🐱🐴

ProD2

The Rugby Championship

RE Super Cup

Harpin Prediction League

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

Friday – Benetton v Leinster preview feat Keego & Harpin segment on DublinSouthFM 93.9

Saturday – Leave your thoughts after the Benetton match on our Facebook page

Sunday – Our Benetton v Leinster wrap pod recording

371 : Leinster v Dragons wrap

27 September 2024; Cian Healy of Leinster after the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Dragons at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
also available on Apple & most major platforms

🏉 D for Dragons

🏉 Jamie kicking on

🏉 Dev Jr cameo

🏉 Joe & Josh impact

🏉 The Gunne Show

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

RICHARD MIFSUD

JAY LONG

FULL TIME TAKES

Greg Kelly

Whenever Ross Byrne wears 10 custard skins worldwide breath a sigh of relief.

Leinster looked disjointed in the first 40. Could be early season problems but to be fair I think the Dragons were better than they have been in recent years. They knew they were going to end up on the end of 30-50 before they travelled but they stuck in and really lived off their big moments in the opening half. I think they’ll beat a few teams this year and I wouldn’t fancy Newport on a wet and windy night in the winter.

Things looked a little cleaner when Joe and Josh came in.

Deegan had another good showing and really I have to wonder what he’s still doing here. He should have gone last year and quite frankly he is squandering his talent at Leinster.

Gavin Hegarty

2/6 for Byrne from the Tee simply isn’t good enough. He was nervy and it showed.

Jimmy OBrien looked electric every time he got the ball.

We now have 3 world class hookers in Sheehan, Kelliher and Gus, a great problem to have. Gus’ lineouts were excellent and he was everywhere. Lineout dropped when Barron came on, something he needs to work on if he wants any sort of a look in.

The way osbourne is going Hugo might have a huge challenge ahead of him when he comes back.

Larmour has bulked up but I think he’s sacrificed fitness as a result, he seemed tired after 30 minutes.

Can’t help but feel a bad dragons team brought us down to their level, we should have topped 60 tonight.

Dave Murray

Wasn’t even any near misses from the tee, they were all terrible kicks. Ross has given us good service over the years, but we won’t be winning many/any major trophies with himself at 10 imo. Need to be investing in Frawley/Prendergast at 10, they’ll make us play a lot better.

Dave Ryle

I thought Osborne was more deserving of POTM.

Turner had a good game as well.

Get in the conversation yourself by leaving

your own thoughts each week after the full time whistle

in Leinster & Ireland matches on our Facebook page

URC WRAP

@harpinonrugby

Our latest wrap pod is now available on Apple, Spotify and most major platforms rugbytiktok urc LeinsterRugby

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

370 : Leinster v Dragons preview

also available as podcast

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

LEINSTER : 15. Jamie Osborne 14. Jordan Larmour 13. Liam Turner 12. Charlie Tector 11. Jimmy O’Brien 10. Ross Byrne 9. Luke McGrath

1. Cian Healy 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Brian Deeny 5. James Ryan 6. Max Deegan 7. Will Connors 8. Jack Conan (c)

16. Lee Barron 17. Michael Milne 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Joe McCarthy 20. Josh van der Flier 21. Fintan Gunne 22. Harry Byrne 23. Aitzol King

Dragons RFC: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Harry Wilson, 12 Steff Hughes, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Dane Blacker

1 Rodrigo Martinez, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 3 Chris Coleman, 4 Ben Carter (c), 5 George Nott, 6 Ryan Woodman, 7 Harri Keddie, 8 Shane Lewis-Hughes

16 Oli Burrows, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Luke Yendle, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 George Young, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Joe Westwood, 23 Ewan Rosser

United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 2

Friday, September 27, 2024

KO 7:35pm Aviva Stadium

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports 1 & URC.tv

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

AR 2: Tomas O’Sullivan (IRFU)

TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU)

80+ column : Sep 25

THIS WEEK’S HARPIN’ POINTS

WRAP OF A WRAP

Check our our latest wrap pod on Apple, Spotify and most major platforms

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

JORDIE UNSURE

…he looks set to have a full bill of health by the time his move to the Irish province comes around.

Leinster learn extent of Jordie Barrett injury ahead of impending move

Mark Donlon – Extra.ie

EMERGING NEWS

The squad will convene on Wednesday morning in the IRFU High Performance Centre before travelling to South Africa on Saturday.

Emerging Ireland Update As Mullins, Donnelly & Tector Added To Squad

Huge Rugby

THANK YOU MARTY

…the decision has been made on medical advice in order to prioritise his mental wellbeing

Ulster’s Marty Moore retires from pro rugby on medical advice

RTÉ.ie

DETOUR DE FARCE

The affected fixtures include Leinster’s tie with La Rochelle in January as well as away matches in Bristol and Cardiff.

Leinster Rugby to fly from Belfast instead of Dublin Airport amid passenger cap row, says Ryanair

Ian Curran – Irish Times

SPRINGBOK TEARS

Seems Ireland get their very best results when they don’t play at all. They should try to do more of this.

South Africa Fans Bemused After Ireland Return To #1 In Rugby World Rankings

Eoin Harrington – Balls.ie

LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

INJURY UPDATE – AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Jamison Gibson-Park: Came through the game on Friday with no issues after his recovery from a hamstring injury.

James Culhane: Withdrawn for a Head Injury Assessment towards the end of Friday’s game, and passed all assessments and will be available to travel with Emerging Ireland squad.

INJURY UPDATE – FURTHER ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:

Tommy O’Brien: Withdrawn with a hamstring injury on Friday and will require further assessment this week before a final decision is made on his involvement with Emerging Ireland.

Michael Milne: Withdrawn with an ankle injury on Friday and will be further assessed this week.

RG Snyman: Will step up his rehabilitation programme this week as he nears a return from a foot injury.

NO FURTHER UPDATES ON:

Dan Sheehan (knee)

TROLL PATROL

WXV

Irish Shield

All Ireland Leagues

MEN’S AIL
WOMEN’S AIL

Premiership

🔝🐱🐴

ProD2

The Rugby Championship

RE Super Cup

Currie Cup

Harpin Prediction League

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

Thursday – Leinster v Dragons preview

Friday – Dublin South FM Harpin’ slot (after 5pm news)

Sunday – Leinster v Dragons wrap

369 : Edinburgh v Leinster wrap

20 September 2024; Jamison Gibson-Park of Leinster scores his side’s fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh and Leinster at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
also available on Apple & most major platforms

🏉 Mixed bag

🏉 Pro-Tector

🏉 Whiskey, neat

🏉 Bouncebackability

🏉 Two Healys

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

TOM COLEMAN

CIARÁN DUFFY

(Post To Post Sport)

FULL TIME TAKES

Kevin Kelehan

JGP’s try was the catalyst that delivered that burst of scores that changed the game, lucky the Edinburgh butchered their kicks 5 minutes out but on balance a decent start to the season that needs to deliver silverware

Chris McDonnell

We handed over 5 tries to the second worst attack in the league. If we don’t send him back to SA it’d going to get worse. Good to see some of the attack and Sam and Charlie were very good.

Gavin Hegarty

First game, away, mainly young team v full Edinburgh. A lot of positives. Sam was sublime, techtor could be a great 12 with his new bulk.

Scott Penny is relentless.

Can we talk about Byrne’s reaction to his yellow? Pathetic and I think he’ll get scolded for it in the review.

William Andrew

Tector, was competent at 12, that might be a better fit for him considering the glut at 10. Prendergast was very effective too. Nicely timed passing constantly. Defence a bit leaky, but a good start

David Lawlor

Nice to banish the opening game yips we seem to have been suffering from. A joy to watch a Leinster 10 take the ball to the line and his passing was sublime too. The last minute try makes it seem closer than it really was and while it’s disappointing to concede five tries I think the defence will improve as the season goes on. Roll on Friday in the Aviva!

Get in the conversation yourself by leaving

your own thoughts each week after the full time whistle 

in Leinster & Ireland matches on our Facebook page

URC ROUND 1 WRAP

@harpinonrugby

Check out our first wrap pod of the season, available on Spotify, Apple and most major platforms.

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

368 : Edinburgh v Leinster preview

also available as a podcast

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

LEINSTER : 15. Jamie Osborne 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Charlie Tector 11. Jordan Larmour 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Michael Milne 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh 5. James Ryan 6. Max Deegan 7. Scott Penny 8. Jack Conan (c)

16. John McKee 17. Cian Healy 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Brian Deeny 20. James Culhane 21. Luke McGrath 22. Ross Byrne 23. Rob Russell

EDINBURGH : 15 W Goosen 14 D Graham 13 M Tuipulotu 12 M Currie 11 D van der Merwe

10 R Thompson 9 A Price 1 P Schoeman 2 D Cherry 3 P Hill

4 M Sykes 5 G Cilchrist (c) 6 J Ritchie 7 H Watson 8 B Muncaster

16 E Ashman 17 B Venter 18 D Rae 19 J Hodgson

20 M Bradbury 21 Ben Vellacott 22 B Healy 23 E Boffelli

United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 1

Friday, September 20, 2024

KO 7:35pm Hive Stadium

Live on: Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

AR 1: Jonny Perriam (SRU) 

AR 2: Michael Todd (SRU)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

80+ column : Sep 18

SEASON 6 PREMIERE POD

sample from latest pod full episode available on Apple, Spotify, etc
A selection of five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the rugby media landscape.

“HE’S TO BE” COACH

The appointment will see Easterby in place for the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations and the Men’s summer tour next year, details of which are to be confirmed.

Easterby To Become Interim Ireland Men’s Head Coach

IrishRugby.ie


CAPTAIN CAELAN

“It was a huge honour for me to co-captain Leinster over the last two seasons and we’ll just support Caelan now as much as possible.”

James Ryan gives Caelan Doris his ‘full support’ after captaincy change

Neil Treacy -RTÉ.ie


RDS RE:DEVELOPMENTS

…no matter how successful the move to the Aviva Stadium proves, Leinster will return to the RDS having signed a 25-year lease in 2022.

Leinster could be out of the RDS for two seasons due to redevelopment

Rúaidhrí O’Connor – Irish Independent


CITIZEN BUNDEE

“To be granted citizenship is not something you take lightly…I have nothing to complain about here. I love the people, love the culture”

Rugby star Bundee Aki gains Irish citizenship

Jade Wilson – Irish Times


A BETTER BEST LEAGUE?

Compared with the increasingly buoyant and eye-catching Top 14, Newcastle v Dragons or Connacht v Sale on a Friday night would hardly be a gamechanger.

Why a British and Irish league would not be a rugby gamechanger

Rob Kitson – Irish Examiner

LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

INJURY UPDATE – AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Liam Turner (arm), Lee Barron (shoulder) and Alex Soroka (foot): returned to full training during pre-season having missed the end of last season.

INJURY UPDATE – FURTHER ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:

Jamison Gibson-Park: will step up his rehabilitation programme this week as he nears a return from a hamstring injury.

NO FURTHER UPDATES ON:

Dan Sheehan (knee) and RG Snyman (foot).

HARPIN’ MATCHDAY 23 V EDINBURGH

A Osbourne, T O’Brien, Turner, H Byrne, Russell, R Byrne, Foley

Milne, Barron, Slimani, Soroka, O’Tighearnaigh, Deegan, Penny, Conan (c)

McKee, Boyle, Clarkson, Spicer, Culhane, McGrath, Prendergast, McErlean

Caveat : I have no “ITK”!!!

TROLL PATROL

Irish Women’s team

URC Irish Shield

Men’s AIL kickoff

Premiership

🔝🐱🐴

Click here for article on Stuart Hogg as referenced in the video

ProD2

The Rugby Championship

RE Super Cup

Currie Cup

Harpin Prediction League

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

Thursday : Edinburgh v Leinster preview – video & pod

Friday : Harpin spot on Dublin South FM (after 5pm news)

Leave a comment on our Facebook page after the fulltime whistle

Sunday : Edinburgh v Leinster wrap pod recording

Nevin Spence : A young man of immense talent & courage

On Nevin Spence’s anniversary here is a repost of an article written on our old Harpin’ site by Munster & Ireland fan Trevor Murphy, days after the tragedy happened .

A International Friendly, Netherdale, Scotland 28/1/2011 Scotland A vs Irish Wolfhounds Ireland’s Nevin Spence tackled by Alan MacDonald of Scotland A Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

I was preparing to write my regular piece on Saturday evening when the news of the tragic events on the Spence family farm started to filter through. Nevin along with his Dad Noel and older brother Graham were sadly taken from us in a farming accident. As a fan I felt for the loss felt by Ulster fans, teammates and fellow professionals that were lucky enough to have met and played with and against Nevin. As a father and brother I can’t begin to understand the loss felt by the Spence family. To the Spence family and friends I offer my heartfelt condolences.

To say he will be missed is a huge understatement. From what I have read about Nevin, it is evident he had an enthusiasm for the game which was unmatched. When teammates weren’t enjoying the prospect of training he was leading from the front. They say a picture paints a thousand words… I think this one says it all.

Nevin was pointed out by Gary Longwell as a definite future rugby professional while at the Ulster academy. This is quite a statement from a man acutely in the know. It is a big step up from academy to full time professional and it takes a special player to cope with the difference in levels. In 2011 his ability was acknowledged by his peers when he was awarded the IRUPA Young Player of the Year. Nevin was brave beyond words and this was evident from a try he scored against Bath in 2010 where he flipped over onto his head and then back. He gave his all for his team and teammates. His final act, in a life cut too short, again displayed his fearless side going to the aide of family members with no thought to his own safety.

As someone who watches and follows all the rugby available, I did not miss Nevins appearance on the scene. The measure of what I thought about Nevin as a player is simply this: When he was on the Ulster team sheet against Munster I knew he was a going to be a real threat. He was strong with a good change of pace. At a smidge under 15 stone he was a difficult man to stop on the gain line. I always thought Nevin was going to achieve 50+ caps for Ireland.

The outpouring of support in the wake of Nevin’s untimely passing is and was a small measure of what the wider rugby family thought about him. He will never be forgotten.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

A phone recording of “Stand Up For The Ulster Men” being sung at the RDS at Leinster’s next home game following the Spence family tragedy.

80+ column : Sep 10

LINK REMINDER

RADIO RETURN

Tune in after the 5pm news on Friday for the Harpin’ segment

UPDATE : The return of the Harpin slot on Dublin South FM has been pushed to Friday, September 20.

SEASON 6 PREMIERE

Recording Sunday September 15, looking ahead to the 24/25 season for Leinster & Ireland

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

NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

…12 nations will be split into a European Conference and Rest of the World Conference, with each team playing the six entrants in the opposite conference across the July and November Test windows.

London emerges as ‘strong possibility’ to host Nations Championship after Qatar bid turned down

Harry Latham-Coyle – UK Independent

RFU SAGA CONTINUES

The cuts are expected to affect all departments except for elite performance. 

RFU to axe 42 staff – weeks after selling Twickenham naming rights for £100m

Gerard Meagher – The Guardian

KEEPING LOCALS HAPPY

Locals also complained that Lansdowne Rugby Club had ‘zero engagement’ with residents about its plans.

Rugby club planning row as residents object to motor dealer using grounds to park cars

Sean McCarthaigh – Extra.ie

LRZ IN NFL

It is very difficult to make an NFL roster and it’s difficult to be on the practice squad. There’s only so many spots.

‘Watch out!’ NFL experts make Louis Rees-Zammit feelings clear in live TV debate

Dylan James – Wales Online

CLICKBAIT OF THE WEEK

According to the Mail Online, Baena has sculpted his muscular torso with weightlifting sessions, rugby matches, and swimming.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s rugby playing son looks identical to his Dad

Ruck.co.uk

LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

Click here to watch the Northampton v Leinster preseason friendly

(WALLA)ROOS NA RÚN

@RugbyBroadcast_

Follow RugbyBroadcast on x for latest news on upcoming rugby on TV

HALF A RINGFENCE (PREMIERSHIP)

🔝🐱🐴

ProD2

The Rugby Championship

RE Super Cup

Currie Cup

Harpin Prediction League

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

Friday 5pm (after the news) – Dublin South FM segment

Sunday evening – Season Six Premiere pod recording, should be published by Monday morning.

Thanks for tuning in, be sure to enjoy your rugby wherever you are. JLP