398 : Munster v Leinster wrap

27 December 2024; Luke McGrath of Leinster scores his side’s first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

NOTE : this week we posted the ‘Final Thoughts’ portion separately on our YouTube channel

🏉  Vanishing pillar

🏉  Set piece revival

🏉  Steady Sam

🏉  Ahern SUAF

🏉  Through the Ringer



FULL TIME TAKES

Chris McDonnell

I am not a McGrath fan but he was good tonight. Credit where its due. Munster’s refusal to take points when they are on offer is just daft against a defence as good as Leinster’s. Lineout was better and the scrum was good mostly.

Gavin Hegarty

Let’s not get carried away here, that was a terrible Munster team. They need to rebuild from the ground up.

Adrian Hickey

Being cautious with Super Sam is key. No Jordie or RG was a killer blow to a real soft Munster outfit imo. No real reason to egg them on

Jackie McEachern

Happy to see the lineout functioning better. Thought VdF was excellent again. Really happy to get the BP win. Still lots to work on but lots of positives too.

Kevin Kelehan

11 points clear of the pack, selecting a stronger squad to tour South Africa in March is vital, now the meat of the season kicks off, La Rochelle away, Bath home and the Six Nations title defence


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URC WRAP


394 : Leinster v Clérmont wrap

14 December 2024; Andrew Porter of Leinster is tackled by Pierre Fouyssac of ASM Clermont Auvergne during the Champions Cup Pool 2 match between Leinster and ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile


🏉 Lineout shambles

🏉 Wraparound Sam

🏉 Tries left behind

🏉 Misty second half

🏉 Peak Porter


CONOR CRONIN

DAVID CORDIAL


FULL TIME TAKES

Cormac Mannion

I can’t actually remember a worse Leinster lineout performance in over 20 years. Some of the handling was also atrocious.

Again, similar to some of Ireland’s performances recently, our players seem to constantly get isolated at the breakdown.

We also appeared to unnecessarily overcomplicate a lot of our handling and passing when being a bit more direct would have been the wiser choice.

Some worrying flaws from Ireland that have seeped into Leinster’s performances.

Kevin Kelehan

Line out is dysfunctional, I know Dan Sheehan is out but without him it has been a disaster, making sure he is fully fit has to be the number 1 objective for Leinster, the throwing today was so bad you’d nearly have JVdF throwing in and Kelliher/McCarthy in for scrummaging and loose play. Fix that problem and there are so many positives from today. The signings of Barrett, Snyman and Slimani are all hits, Sam Prenddergast was outstanding, his tactical kicking, distance to touch off penalties and passing were all really great. Henshaw and Ringrose both superb and Jimmy O’Brien looking close to his best again. A point dropped today but equally 4 points won against a slumbering European giant that was awake today.

Paul Lacey

Will we ever find another Andrew porter. He has to be burnt out .clarkson is playing brilliant rugby. Jvd & Morris need a break..

David Ryle

Scrappy game but a win is a win.

Colette Caddle

An amazing game, two excellent sides but Leinster line outs need a lot of work.


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CHAMPIONS CUP WRAP

377 : Connacht v Leinster wrap

19 October 2024; Max Deegan of Leinster scores his side’s fourth try, despite the tackle of Connacht’s Shayne Bolton, during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

🏉 Galway gusts

🏉 Fast start. Again.

🏉 Frawley

🏉 LaRGer than life

🏉 Defence. Again.


CONOR CRONIN

CIAN O’MUILLEOIR


FULL TIME TAKES

Jackie McEachern

Happy enough with the Leinster performance. I was nervous when Frawley went off so early but thought Ross did a good job, especially in the conditions. Hope Frawley’s injury isn’t too bad.

Gavin Hegarty

Not much more else you can ask for. Top points from each outing. Yes we kinda let them back in it but we were never not dominant.

Clarkson for me had been coming into his own this season, he’ll be capped soon enough.

So utterly unlucky for frawley, this was his chance for the autumn series.

Craig Grehan

I think the match although winning shows some poorer choices of play by jpg at times.

Shows frawley is like the munster era snyman …and snyman is becoming a fan favourite.

Connacht as always put up a good fight and on another day would get more bang for their buck.

Cormac Mannion

I think we were switched on for a lot longer than last week. Hopefully Frawley’s injury isn’t too bad. Rotten luck for him


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URC WRAP


@harpinonrugby

Our Connacht v Leinster wrap pod is now available on Apple, Spotify, etc. #rugbytiktok #irishtiktok #urc

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

364 : RSAvIRE 2nd test wrap

Castle Lager Incoming Series Second Test, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban, South Africa 13/7/2024 South Africa vs Ireland Ireland’s Ciaran Frawley Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

🏉 Osbourne catches
🏉 10-point leads
🏉 Croc rolls
🏉 3 by 3
🏉 Frawley time



FULL TIME TAKES

Alastair McDermott

One of the worst performances I’ve seen from South Africa in the first half and one of the worst performances I’ve seen from Ireland in the second. officials tried to screw us again but incredible finish

‪Dickson made quite a few 50-50 calls that always seemed to go in favour of the home team. From an Irish point of view, it felt almost endless. ‬

‪But this happens in every game to every away team, so I don’t think it’s any particular conspiracy, it’s just the nature of sport!

Kevin Kelehan

Delighted Frawley got the chance to exorcise the ghost of Tottenham, ugly game but Farrell has built some team, 6 first choice players missing today, 5 of them in the back line and still got it done. Farrell is 80:20 win rate, Boks are 20:80 against the green machine in recent years!!

Sean MacDonnchadha

Very lucky I feel. Springboks only able to force penalties. We should’ve buried them in the first half with the energy, territory and possession we had. All the same, some balls from frawley

Paul Smith

Despite SA cheating and a horrendous performance by Dickinson, Ireland fully deserved the win and I’m absolutely delighted for Frawley who buried the memories of the Champions Cup last minute not once but twice with 2 superb drop goals.

John Willie Conroy

Osborne was unbelievable fair play to Andy Farrell for blooding. Questions need to be asked regarding Frawly not being picked at 10 at Leinster he’s a quality ball player and is head and shoulders above the Byrne brothers.

Brian Corr

So happy, what Irish team in the past could lose their starting scrum half, starting fullback, starting hooker and go to the world champions and get a result. 8 years since they’ve lost in Durban.

Delighted for Frawley to get the chance to make such a huge impact with two fantastic drop goals.

It’s said that tries win matches and that was the difference today

Hope the lads have a great celebration


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354 : Leinster v Ulster wrap

8 June 2024; Jordan Larmour of Leinster evades the tackle of Ethan McIlroy of Ulster on his way to scoring his side’s fourth try during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Leinster and Ulster at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

🏉 Slow start

🏉 Misleading margins

🏉 Soccer skills

🏉 Marvellous McCarthy

🏉 Southern soujourn

@harpinonrugby

Our Leinster v Ulster wrap pod is now available on Apple, Spotify, etc, with a bonus clip on our YouTube channel

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

FULL TIME TAKES

Cuan Mulligan

Ross while having some good moments, is too predictable, and offers little variety in attack…. Sam tried some outrageous moves , came off, granted they won’t always but means teams are unsure what to expect…

Greg Kelly

Watched the game on SuperSport and I get the impression the Saffas don’t watch Leinster in detail because they’re a bit worried 😂

It’s nice to see Leinster going full guns in the league for the first time in a while. It was a high quality game that Leinster managed well.

Strangely enough I wonder if Prendergast being in the squad and then coming in and showing some good touches means he’s not going anywhere next season. Personally I think they have to look to make him the solid number 2 next year with an eye to him getting the starting shirt if performances warrant it.

Brian Corr

I’m almost afraid to say anything because of the backlash of you’re arrogant and typical Leinster, but with almost the full squad available it’s hard to see how Ulster would have really threatened Leinster, particularly without their captain and next best second row out.

Ulster came out flying but could not get over the line, a couple of tries some would call lucky and they were buried by 1/2 time. Lucky translates into the harder I work the more luck I get.

While Ulster never went away, they conceded within minutes of scoring their first tries.

For Leinster it was great to get a comprehensive win and a fairly hard fought one which will stand to them next week.

Osbourne and Henshaw were everywhere, though it was a full team performance, I don’t know if anyone had a bad game.

Robert Webster

Good win by Leinster but thought score flattered them a little. Next week should be a good game but would expect Leinster to have too much for the Bulls, who will need to up their performance from today to have any chance. Would add that I thought it was a pretty disappointing crowd for a knock out derby.

Gordy Graham

Ultimately I’m a disappointed Ulster fan again but the boys gave it everything today and it was always going to be a big ask after losing four second rows. Murphy has had a big impact at Ulster and there’s a bit of positivity about the place now which is nice!

From an impartial view point I can’t understand Leinster’s continued obsession with Byrne, he seems to have lost his confidence and offers very little in the way of attacking threat. I think that’s why Leinster’s attack as a whole has slowed down.

Colin Mcconaghie

Massively depleted Ulster team gave their all. Not to be against a very strong Leinster.

Proud of our young lads after being written off all season.


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URC WRAP

QUARTERFINALS

MUNSTER V OSPREYS8

BULLS V BENETTON

LEINSTER 43-20 ULSTER

GLASGOW WARRIOR V STORMERS

SEMIFINALS

SAT JUNE 15

BULLS V LEINSTER

MUNSTER V GLASGOW



346 : Leinster v Ospreys wrap

11 May 2024; Jordan Larmour of Leinster scores his side’s third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Ospreys at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
also available on Apple podcasts and most major platforms

🏉 3 up 2 down

🏉 Just the JOB

🏉 Another JL hat-trick

🏉 🍔

🏉 A perfect 10?


CONOR CRONIN

CIARÁN DUFFY

FULL TIME TAKES

Hubert Gallagher

Frawley looked very comfortable when he went to 10. Another very accomplished game for him. Just wished he got more game time there! Lots still to work on.

Peter Tracey

O’Brien looked sharp and has some serious pace. JGP and Frawley really sped the game up when they played together.

Frankie Taylor

Buzzing. Jimmy was incredible

David White

The spies from Toulouse in the stands leant nothing coz Ospreys were so poor

Tony Doyle

Good win and a great second half by Leinster


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URC WRAP

ROUND 16

DRAGONS 21-44 STORMERS

EDINBURGH 40-14 ZEBRE

BULLS 40-34 GLASGOW

SCARLETS 20-31 ULSTER

SHARKS 24-25 BENETTON

MUNSTER 47-12 CONNACHT

LIONS 34-13 CARDIFF

LEINSTER 61-14 OSPREYS



ROUND 17

FRI MAY 17

ZEBRE V SCARLETS

EDINBURGH V MUNSTER

SAT MAY 18

BULLS V BENETTON

OSPREYS V DRAGONS

LIONS V GLASGOW

CONNACHT V STORMERS

SHARKS V CARDIFF

ULSTER V LEINSTER



340 : Lions v Leinster wrap & URC run-in overview

20 April 2024; Charlie Ngatai of Leinster, supported by teammate Scott Penny, is tackled by PJ Botha of Emirates Lions during the United Rugby Championship match between Emirates Lions and Leinster at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

🏉 Lions cohesion

🏉 No way back

🏉 Fast news week

🏉 Race for the top 8

🏉 May squad management


CONOR CRONIN & RICH MIFSUD

FULL TIME TAKES

Odran John OBrien

A game I’ve already forgotten 😉😂

Alastair McDermott

That was embarrassing. Performance was naive and inaccurate. Some of that is on the young lads not performing individually, but I think a major part is some of the older lads we’d hope to step up and lead in those circumstances failed to do so.

Greg Kelly

We were playing touch rugby in defence. If you are one of the teams fighting for 4th-8th you’d be excused for asking why Leinster don’t serve up 5 points away to you too?🤷‍♂️ We started dreadfully and then when we found a rythem we were woefully inaccurate.

Getting beaten like that is acceptable if we can walk away with silverware at the end. If not then questions need to be asked.

Éamonn Rogers

Honestly it was a game with little at stake played at 1700m (for context nearly 700m higher than Carrountoohil) I’d see it as nothing more than a blooding exercise/fixture we are obliged to fulfil. The stats show that there were a lot of positive elements. We (thankfully) don’t have the luxury of sending our primary team down like our southern cousins. Overall I’d say we could have done better but not the end of the world

Kevin Kelehan

A lot of players will be very disappointed with their performance, got the chance to shine and made unforced errors, hopefully a big improvement next week.

William Andrew

Looked like an unfocused Leinster. Distracted by the hype of this last week, etc etc. Everyone who has ever played knows you have to be dialed in 100% or you will struggle.

Lions were very sharp and handled the blitz defence with pace and good passing. Northampton are going to be all over this video.

A wake up call, last season we were great and not great for about the last three minutes in two games. 😢


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URC WRAP

ROUND 14

ULSTER 19-17 CARDIFF

GLASGOW 21-10 SHARKS

LIONS 44-12 LEINSTER

BENETTON 36-19 DRAGONS

BULLS 22-27 MUNSTER

STORMERS 21-27 OSPREYS

CONNACHT 54-16 ZEBRE

EDINBURGH 43-18 SCARLETS



ROUND 15

FRI APR 26

SCARLETS V SHARKS

ULSTER V BENETTON

SAT APR 27

ZEBRE V GLASGOW

BULLS V OSPREYS

CARDIFF V EDINBURGH

LIONS V MUNSTER

STORMERS V LEINSTER

DRAGONS V CONNACHT



333 : Leinster v Bulls wrap

29 March 2024; Jack Conan of Leinster dives over to score his side’s sixth try despite the tackle of Devon Williams of Vodacom Bulls during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Vodacom Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
@harpinonrugby

Pod available on Apple, Spotify and most major platforms #rugbytiktok #URC

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🏉 Somehow ahead

🏉 #Lukegate

🏉 Scoring & Scrambling

🏉 Eventually over

🏉 Leinster’s South African-ness


CONOR CRONIN & NATHAN JOHNS


FULL TIME TAKES

Martin Lynch

Tough First Half. Bulls Ran. Out Of Steam. We Upped It Big Time . Great To See Them Back To Their Best. 👍🏉💪💙

Jay Long

I was mainly thinking

Ahem

Leeeeeiiinnnnsssttteeeerrrr

Leiiiiiinnnnnssstttttteeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr

William Andrew

Good win , but scrums need attention. Lots of players came on hungry and contributing.

Farcical ending by the officials nothing for player safety

David Ryle

Was worried about this game. First half was poor but Leinster seemed to have found their mojo in the 2nd half.

Greg Kelly

Another testament to how competitive the URC has really become


URC WRAP

ROUND 13

LEINSTER 47-14 BULLS

DRAGONS 20-13 ZEBRE

BENETTON 18-14 CONNACHT

SHARKS 23-13 EDINBURGH

OSPREYS 36-21 LIONS

STORMERS 13-7 ULSTER

SCARLETS 3-45 GLASGOW

MUNSTER 20-15 CARDIFF



ROUND 14

FRI APR 19

ULSTER V CARDIFF

GLASGOW V SHARKS

SAT APR 20

LIONS V LEINSTER

BENETTON V DRAGONS

BULLS V MUNSTER

STORMERS V OSPREYS

CONNACHT V ZEBRE

EDINBURGH V SCARLETS



325 : Cardiff v Leinster wrap

2 March 2024; John McKee of Leinster celebrates as Michael Milne of Leinster, obscured, scores his side’s fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Cardiff and Leinster at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

🏉 Pack mentality
🏉 Offloadin’ Will
🏉 Carré-d away
🏉 Doin’ sh*t well
🏉 10 outta 10



FULL TIME TAKES

Kevin Kelehan

Scoring when down to 14 was indicative of a team that knows how to win, the hunger in the squad is superb.

Eamon Saunders

Good win again ,great to have so much talent in the set up 👍


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URC WRAP

ROUND 11

EDINBURGH 19-15 OSPREYS

MUNSTER 45-29 ZEBRE

LIONS 40-10 SHARKS

BENETTON 9-19 GLASGOW WARRIORS

BULLS 40-22 STORMERS

CONNACHT 26-10 SCARLETS

CARDIFF 20-33 LEINSTER

ULSTER 49-26 DRAGONS



ROUND 12

FRI MAR 22

GLASGOW V CARDIFF

OSPREYS V MUNSTER

SAT MAR 23

SHARKS V ULSTER

SCARLETS V BENETTON

STORMERS V EDINBURGH

CONNACHT V LIONS

DRAGONS V BULLS

ZEBRE V LEINSTER



320 : Leinster v Benetton wrap

17 February 2024; Liam Turner of Leinster evades the tackle of Ignacio Mendy of Benetton, right, on his way to scoring his side’s third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Benetton at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

🏉 Get #IrelandWeek trending

🏉 Death by 1,000 scrums

🏉 The Osbourne Supremacy

🏉 Pesky Leprechauns

🏉 Sam’s Glam Cameo

CONOR CRONIN & RICH MIFSUD

FULL TIME TAKES

Brian Corr

Great result considering how well Benetton are doing this season and all the missing internationals.

Love Prendergast’s cool under pressure ability, he took a wrong option and was immediately swamped by the defence but had the ability to keep calm and place the ball back so well.

Lots of rusty performances and mistakes due to weather and no recent games.

Delighted to see Byrne get a chance to rinse the spiderwebs off his game and McErlean get a solid game behind him, again pity the weather was so naff for his first tog out.

Greg Kelly

Leinster sticking 47 points on the 2nd placed team tells you all you need to know about the URC

Craig Grehan

Good to see that mixture of players running well. Few fumbles here & there. But very good

Eamon Saunders

Good win nice to see a Wexford man get a try #Brian Deeny

Christy O’Connor

Very scrappy at times from both sides. Have to hand it to Benetton, they fought really well and I don’t think the scoreline does them justice

Dave Murray

Not a spectacular performance but good 5 points.


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URC WRAP

ROUND 10

SCARLETS 7-42 MUNSTER

ZEBRE 19-24 EDINBURGH

LIONS 10-25 BULLS

LEINSTER 47-18 BENETTON

SHARKS 21-25 STORMERS

CARDIFF 12-16 CONNACHT

GLASGOW WARRIORS 40-7 DRAGONS

OSPREYS 19-17 ULSTER



ROUND 11

FRI MAR 1

EDINBURGH V OSPREYS

MUNSTER V ZEBRE

SAT MAR 2

LIONS V SHARKS

BENETTON V GLASGOW WARRIORS

BULLS V STORMERS

CONNACHT V SCARLETS

CARDIFF V LEINSTER

ULSTER V DRAGONS