Category: Mark Jackson

15 pod, 51 overall on HoR.net

507 : Ireland v Scotland wrap

14 March 2026; Jamie Osborne of Ireland scores his side’s first try during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

🏉 Beirne & the backrow

🏉 Jamie O

🏉 Tartan resistance

🏉 Squad depth

🏉 What’s next

THIS WEEK’S GUEST

MARK JACKSON

FULL TIME TAKES

Cormac Mannion

Bizarrely we looked stretched out wide despite adding more pace in the backs. However, we.absolutely smashed Scotland up front. Really happy with how we’ve progressed over the last four weeks and we were missing so many players.

We looked far better coached today whereas Scotland lost their heads a few times

Louis Hoffman

Defence won us that game despite the score, almost nullified totally a great Scottish backline

Gavin Hegarty

When, in the history of any tournament, has each team come out happy?

France: winners

Ireland: good tournament and hugely improved after a disaster start. Triple crown

Scotland: retain Calcutta cup, 3/5 a good return

Italy: beat England for the first time. 2/5 a good return

England: salvaged a lot of pride in their loss to France and showed a turn

Wales: finished bottom but showed they are coming back to what world rugby needs

Just my Sunday morning thoughts!

Rugby was the real winner yesterday

Gerald Williamson

The Irish defense when under pressure from Scottish attacks performed exceptionally well. The subs bench made quite an impact particularly Darragh Murray’.

Bernie Cunningham

Ireland just a grt performance, Scotland just couldn’t handle Ireland in all aspects of the game today. COYBIG

Christy O’Connor

Brilliant performance, when will the Scots learn not to give us fuel before our games (Darcy Graham Ireland are there for the taking) 🤣

CLICK HERE FOR THE REAL-TIME REACTIONS FROM

THE HARPIN WHATSAPP GROUP THROUGHOUT THE MATCH

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your own thoughts each week after the full time whistle

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SIX NATIONS WRAP

Italy 18-15 Scotland  

England 48-7 Wales  

France 36-14 Ireland

Scotland 31–20 England  

Italy 13–20 Ireland  

Wales 12–54 France

England 21-42 Ireland

Wales 23-26 Scotland  

France 33-8 Italy

Ireland 27-17 Wales 

Scotland 50-40 France

Italy 23-18 England

Ireland 43-21 Scotland

Wales 31-17 Italy

France 48-46 England

NEXT HARPIN’

ST PATRICK’S DAY

BONUS CHAT : “6N TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT”

WEDNESDAY

80+ COLUMN 

496 : France v Ireland wrap

5 February 2026; Matthieu Jalibert of France scores his side’s second try despite the attempted tackle from Cian Prendergast of Ireland during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

🏉 Rucks & collisions

🏉 The three P’s

🏉 Après set pieces

🏉 Selections

🏉 Calls & non-calls

THIS WEEK’S GUEST

MARK JACKSON

FULL TIME TAKES

Craig Grehan

All in all. Good day out. Look we know we’re in transition and we’re not the numero uno team anymore. SA and France are. Very different teams. Who we need to figure out new ways to beat them.

Good things, our lineout outclassed and manhandled theirs.

Scrums without our big names in the front row definitely held their own.

Sam P silenced his can’t tackle haters (a bit) by hitting a fair few.

Stockdale can still be a threat.

When we move ball we can scare teams.

Cian P was immense.

We still gave France a good rattle fir 25 minutes.

The referees helped France by not seeing 2 forward passes, and a knock on by France.

And not the deliberate yellow one.

The not so good:

We kept kicking despite it not really working.

Despite our scrum and lineout platform, we looked game rusty, silly knock ons, not running hard.

Which is easily settled by picking game ready players.

Some sloppy defending.

Doris is our least aggressive backrow.

No leader on the pitch to say “this isnt working”.

The ref missing the above mentioned things haha

Odran John OBrien

France outstanding no one will come near to them playing like this

Kevin Kelehan

Fixed the perceived problems, scrum solid, gave away 3 penalties in the entire game, only one preventable, line out held up against French going after it. Sam Prendergast’s tackling was arguably the best of the Irish backs. Then they kicked and kicked and kicked when it was clear the French has superior aerial skills. 22-0 at half time and 29-0 down at nearly an hour and it looked like a hiding. Then they woke up and were unlucky the ref didn’t card Dupont when 29-14, they could with a man advantage have got a lot closer. Next game out through Edogbo in at 5, Furlong will be back, put Beirne in at 6 and hopefully the 3 larger ball carriers will get us more yards when we have the ball. France deservedly on their way to retaining their championship

Christy O’Connor

Can’t say I expected any other outcome on the result. The scrum done a lot better than I expected. We are well off the pace and Farrell needs to start picking more players that are in form rather than ticking with the same old faces. This could be the unraveling of Andy’s time in charge if he doesn’t get a grip on this.

Peter Mcconnell

For me it was the commitment in the tackle. For some reason French players were able to power through the tackle sufficiently to offload, or make more metres. In previous years the Irish tacklers have done a pretty good job of halting the attacking players. I don’t know if it is a lack of aggression on behalf of the Irish tacklers, or just a brute fore determination by the French, but I have no doubt it were we lost was at the contact.

Ann Marie Crean

Just not up to scratch 😒 😫

End of

Cormac Mannion

Good to see Cian P do so well, Milne too. The subs did very well when they came on and it did make a difference but France had taken their foot off the gas by that stage. Lineout and scrum were good.

Our defence is shambolic. Players don’t seem to know what they’re supposed to be doing and our attack plan was dire. We seem to look better when we have two playmakers on the field (Crowley and Sam), similar to Leinster when Sam and Harry were on the pitch at the same time.

Osborne is a fine player but looked rusty last night and has all the speed of an oil tanker when he’s turning. Stockdale – didn’t reproduce his early season form. Ringrose – barely saw the ball.

So much wrong (injuries aside) and the players looked jaded from the very beginning

Shaun Berger‬ (BlueSky)

Timoney was great.

Ire outplayed  and outfought in so many areas. But one thing I dont see mentioned much:

Did we even win one bloody aerial battle? Even when it looked like we caught it Fra seemed to end up with the ball.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REAL-TIME REACTIONS FROM

THE HARPIN WHATSAPP GROUP THROUGHOUT THE MATCH

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

SIX NATIONS WRAP

ROUND 2

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2026
Ireland v Italy, 2:10pm, Aviva Stadium
Scotland v England, 4:40pm, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium

SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2026
Wales v France, 3:10pm, Principality Stadium

NEXT HARPIN’

TUESDAY

BONUS CHAT : “WEEKEND ROUNDUP”

80+ COLUMN 

487: Leinster v La Rochelle preview

ALSO AVAILABLE AS A PODCAST

Our guest : MARK JACKSON

Leinster: 15. Ciaran Frawley, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Joshua Kenny, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Paddy McCarthy, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tom Clarkson, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Jack Conan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (c)

16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Jerry Cahir, 18. Andrew Sparrow, 19. Diarmuid Mangan, 20. Max Deegan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Harry Byrne, 23. Andrew Osborne

La Rochelle: 15. Dillyn Leyds, 14. Jack Nowell, 13. Jules Favre, 12. Simeli Daunivucu, 11. Davit Niniashvili, 10. Ihaia West, 9. Nolann le Garrec

1. Reda Wardi, 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Charles Kante Samba, 5. Will Skelton, 6. Oscar Jegou, 7. Levani Botia, 8. Grégory Alldritt (c)

16. Quentin Lespiaucq, 17. Louis Penverne, 18. Aleksandre Kuntelia, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Kirill Fraindt, 21. Thomas Berjon, 22. Antoine Hastoy, 23. Nathan Bollengier

Investec Champions Cup 25/26 – Round 3

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Aviva Stadium

KO 5:30pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1

Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)

AR1: Adam Leal (Eng)

AR2: John Meredith (Eng)

TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

479: Leicester Tigers v Leinster preview

Our guest : MARK JACKSON

LEINSTER :

15. Jimmy O’Brien14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Rieko Ioane 12. Robbie Henshaw

11. James Lowe 10. Harry Byrne 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Paddy McCarthy 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Joe McCarthy

5. James Ryan 6. Jack Conan 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (c)

16. Dan Sheehan 17. Jack Boyle 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Diarmuid Mangan

20. Max Deegan 21. Luke McGrath 22. Sam Prendergast 23. Ciarán Frawley

LEICESTER TIGERS

15 Freddie Steward 14 Adam Radwan 13 Will Wand

12 Solomone Kata 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins 10 Billy Searle 9 Tom Whiteley

1 Nicky Smith 2 Jamie Blamire 3 Joe Heyes 4 Cameron Henderson

5 Harry Wells 6 James Thompson 7 Tommy Reffell (c) 8 Joaquin Moro

16 Finn Theobald Thomas 17 Archie van der Flier 18 Will Hurd 19 Tom Manz

20 Sam Williams 21 Ollie Allan 22 Orlando Bailey 23 Joseph Woodward

Investec Champions Cup 25/26 – Round 2

Friday, December 12, 2025

Mattioli Woods Welford Road

KO 8pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1

Referee – Pierre Brousset (Fra)

AR1 – Vincent Blasco Baque (Fra)

AR2 – Julien Caulier (Fra)

TMO – Tual Trainini (Fra)

477 : Leinster v Harlequins preview

ALSO AVAILABLE AS A PODCAST

Our guest : MARK JACKSON

LEINSTER : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Ciarán Frawley 11. Jordan Larmour 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Paddy McCarthy 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. RG Snyman 5. Joe McCarthy 6. Jack Conan 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (c)

16. Rónan Kelleher 17. Jack Boyle 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Diarmuid Mangan 20. Max Deegan 21. Luke McGrath 22. Harry Byrne 23. Rieko Ioane

HARLEQUINS : 15. Cameron Anderson, 14. Cassius Cleaves, 13. Oscar Beard, 12. Luke Northmore, 11. Cadan Murley (c), 10. Jarrod Evans, 9. Will Porter

1. Boris Wenger, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Harry Williams, 4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Stephan Lewies, 6. Zach Carr, 7. Will Evans, 8. Tom Lawday

16. George Turner, 17. Will Hobson, 18. Pedro Delgado, 19. Joe Launchbury, 20. Lucas Schmid, 21. Lucas Friday, 22. Jamie Benson, 23. Bryn Bradley

Investec Champions Cup 25/26 – Round 1

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Aviva Stadium

KO 5:30pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1

Referee : Craig Evans (WRU)

AR1 : Adam Jones (WRU)

AR2 : Ben Breakspear (WRU)

TMO : Keith David (WRU)

454 : Third Lions test & series wrap

Our guest : MARK JACKSON

I’d like to thank Mark and of course all the Harpin contributors over the course of the season as we wind down Season 6 of our humble pod.

We’re looking at one more recording next weekend looking ahead to the Women’s World Cup and otherwise our only content between now and our Season 7 premiere will be our weekly 80+ column which will continue posting on Wednesday.

453 : 3rd Lions test preview

Our guest : MARK JACKSON

LIONS : 15 Hugo Keenan 14 Tommy Freeman 13 Huw Jones 12  Bundee Aki 11 Blair Kinghorn 10 Finn Russell 9 Jamison Gibson-Park

1 Andrew Porter 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Maro Itoje 5 James Ryan 6 Tadhg Beirne 7 Tom Curry 8 Jack Conan

16 Rónan Kelleher 17 Ellis Genge 18 Will Stuart 19 Ollie Chessum 20 Jac Morgan 21 Ben Earl 22 Alex Mitchell 23 Owen Farrell

WALLABIES : 15 Tom Wright 14 Max Jorgensen 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 12 Len Ikitau 11 Dylan Pietsch 10 Tom Lynagh 9 Nic White

1 James Slipper 2 David Porecki 3 Taniela Tupou 4 Nick Frost 5 Will Skelton 6 Tom Hooper 7 Fraser McReight 8 Harry Wilson (capt).

16 Billy Pollard 17 Angus Bell 18 Zane Nonggorr 19 Jeremy Williams 20 Langi Gleeson 21 Tate McDermott 22 Ben Donaldson 23 Andrew Kellaway

Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Test Series – 3rd test

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Accor Stadium, Sydney

KO 11am Irish time  

Live on : Sky Sports

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

AR1 : Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)

AR2 : Andrea Piardi (Ita)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)

FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)

451 : Second Lions test preview

Our guest : MARK JACKSON

LIONS : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Tommy Freeman 13. Huw Jones 12. Bundee Aki 11. James Lowe 10. Finn Russell 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 

1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Maro Itoje (c) 5. Ollie Chessum 6. Tadhg Beirne 7. Tom Curry 8. Jack Conan

16. Ronan Kelleher 17. Ellis Genge 18. Will Stuart 19. James Ryan 20. Jac Morgan 21. Alex Mitchell 22. Owen Farrell 23. Blair Kinghorn

WALLABIES : 15 Tom Wright; 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter; 10 Tom Lynagh, 9Jake Gordon

1 James Slipper, 2 David Porecki, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson.

16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Ben Donaldson.

Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Test Series – 2nd test

Saturday, July 26, 2025

KO 11am Irish time  Melbourne Cricket Ground

Live on : Sky Sports

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)

AR1: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

AR2: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)

First Lions Test preview by Mark Jackson

Well finally we have arrived at crunch time of any tour the tests series. The combinations and permutations have had their chances and despite what we all think Andy Farrell has put what he thinks is his best currently available 23 for battle with Australia this Saturday in Brisbane. 

Injury and form usually plays a big part in selection and there can be many conversations to be had from Hugo Keenan at fullback right the way to Ellis Genge in the loosehead jersey and all through the extended squad. 

Back row has been the area with most chat doing the rounds with a case to be made for all those not involved on Saturday to be included and will see how this combo goes especially at the breakdown where personally I feel the game will see most of Australias efforts being targeted. Curry and pals will find McReight and skipper Wilson ample does on the floor and will need to use the packs size and power as Australia are lacking with those aspects due to current injuries.

Joe Schmidt has always put a premium on kicking game and back three of Lowe,Freeman and Keenan will be vital in neutralizing any high balls and providing the Lions with extra options in attacking game with or without the ball w chasing and harassing a strong part of Aussie game with Tom Wright

Neither side has had ideal preparation with Lions not facing any hardened opponents on tour ,Argentina excluded and Australia struggling past a decent Fijian side.

As well as breakdown and back 3 aspects ,lineout will be crucial as per and selection of Beirne at 6 may tilt that in Lions favour.

Prediction: Lions by 8 

@harpinonrugby

Some thoughts from “me holiers” ahead of the first test….apologies to Rich Mifsud for forgetting he’ll be joining me for the wrap pod not Conor! 🤦‍♂️ #rugbytiktok #lionsrugby

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