15 pod, 51 overall on HoR.net
A bonus pod to set us up nicely for the Six Nations – our panel gives an overview of the Irish squad as well as the other five nations plus the Irish Under20s ahead of 6Mas Day.
Our guests…
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OUR GUEST : MARK JACKSON
Leinster: 15. Chris Cosgrave 14. Max O’Reilly 13. Liam Turner 12. Ben Brownlee 11. Dave Kearney 10. Harry Byrne 9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Milne 2. John McKee 3. Michael Ala’alatoa 4. Ross Molony 5. Brian Deeny 6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN 7. Scott Penny 8. Max Deegan
16. Tadgh McElroy 17. Marcus Hanan 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. James Culhane 20. Will Connors 21. Nick McCarthy 22. Charlie Tector 23. Aitzol King
Cardiff: 15 R Priestland 14 O Lane 13 R Lee-Lo 12 B Thomas 11 J Harries 10 J Evans 9 L Williams
1 B Thyer 2 K Myhill 3 Keiron Assiratti 4 L Timani 5 S Davies 6 J Turnbull (capt.) 7 J Botham 8 J Ratti
16 K Dacey 17 C Domachowski 18 W Davies-King 19 R Thornton 20 S Lewis-Hughes 21 E Bevan 22 A Summerhill 23 M Morgan
BKT United Rugby Championship 22/23
Round 13
Sat Jan 28 KO 5pm
RDS Arena
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
AR 1: Joy Neville (IRFU)
AR 2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Live on: RTÉ, S4C, Viaplay, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Discovery + & URC.tv
THIS WEEK’S GUESTS
FULL TIME TAKES
Andrew Potts The scrum is a concern, probably just needs a little collective focus. Nice to see them using short penalty moves in the red zone, it’s a good variation then going to a line out, plus suits Leinster tempo.
Some of the Leinster play was excellent and Ross has developed into quite the facilitator
Richard Collumb Says it all about current European competition when URC is providing more challenges.
Great to see Osborne step up & some game time to replacements.
Chris McDonnell Too good just too good.
MASTODON
Brian Nisbet @natural20 14-49 A match with a couple of lessons for Leinster (discipline, line-outs), but ultimately another emphatic victory in Europe and the match goes on.
Colin Mehigan @colinmehigan@mas.to @vnvobit @HarpinOnRugby @rugby Lots of impressive performances in Kingsholm today – Jamie Osborne really standing out
Adam Ashby (Gloucester fan) @adamashby@mas.to Well. That was worse than I expected.
FRONT FIVE ARTICLES
HCC ROUND 3 WRAP
ROUND 3
CLE 29-44 LEIC
SAL 5-27 TLS
GLO 14-49 LEIN
MUN 27-23 NOR
SHA 32-3 BOR
LAR 7-3 ULS
BUL 39-28 EXE
OSP 35-29 MON
SAR 48-28 LYN
CAS 21-34 EDI
LIR 14-28 STO
R92 30-29 HAR
ROUND 4
FRI JAN 20
LYN V BUL
LEI V OSP
SAT JAN 21
HAR V SHA
NOR V LAR
BOR V GLO
LEI V R92
STO V CLE
EXE V CAS
ULS V SAL
SUN JAN 22
MON V LIR
TLS V MUN
EDI V SAR
HARPIN’ MATCH WRAPS
ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY
THE IRISH RUGBY STORE
THIS WEEK’S GUESTS
FULL TIME TAKES
Conor Cronin On the road, taking a win home with us without a lot of players who might have wanted the opportunity to play and might sometimes be considered higher up the pecking order, and having missed out on the chance to get a BP, there’s a lot to be positive about here.
Yes there were some things that we’ll use the video for to tidy up, and yes the referee was not at the top of his game, but you play the ref, you play what’s in front of you, and you take your chances.
I’m happy with that, munster threw their best available team at us, it wasn’t enough tonight
Andrew Potts A collection of random penalties until 50, then a game broke out
Martin Loughrey Scrappy to say the least. Great to get the win and our response to Deegan’s yellow was incredible, but the game didn’t really kick into gear until the 2nd half. I felt Munster had a slight edge on us for long periods but couldn’t capitalise. And of course Busby was poor. It seemed like he heeded the crowd’s reaction after Deegan flipped POM over, and made some strange calls after that. Very quick to ping Leinster after that, and of course there was his own obstruction of Leinster at the ruck that lead to a penalty for Munster. Still though, a win in Thomond is always great to get, so happy to take it!
MASTODON
rhubarbsticks @rhubarbsticks@sself.co
Although that was a tough, valuable and well earned victory it didn’t alter any pecking orders in Leinster.
A win away at Thomond with a rotated side and not playing particularly well is not to be sniffed at. Great runouts from Dan (again) and Big Joe Mac. Luke McG and Ross M made a big impact from the bench. Happy with that and isn’t it brilliant to see a return of the St Stephen’s Day fixture? #MUNvLEI
Bernard McKeever @dregin
#MUNvLEI Would not want to be on the receiving end of Graham Rowntree’s anger after conceding those tries with us a man down.
FRONT FIVE ARTICLES
URC ROUND X WRAP
ROUND 10
SHA 37-10 LIO
STO 37-27 BUL
CON 20-22 ULS
GLA 16-10 EDI
BEN 38-5 ZEB
DRA 24-29 CAR
OSP 34-14 SCA
MUN 19-20 LEI
ROUND 11
DEC 30
EDIVGLA
DEC 31
ZEB V BEN
SHA V BUL
STO V LIO
JAN 1
CAR V OSP
ULS V MUN
SCA V DRA
LEI V CON
HARPIN’ MATCH WRAPS
ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY
THE IRISH RUGBY STORE
If you think you can answer questions like the one in the graphic above in five seconds or less, then have a go at our quiz there’s 12 altogether, see if you can do better than three of our contributors.
THIS WEEK’S GUESTS
(also a report from France on the match conditions by Tom Coleman)
FULL TIME TAKES
Andrew Potts Very good performance by Leinster and adapting well to Racing flooding the ruck. As always Leinster very focused as 15 on the park, impressive by JVdF nuisance all day which is a compliment for a 7 and still gas at 79 for a solo!
Gerald Williamson Will not complain. A convincing win in the end. Even missing one or two key players, Leinster did the job for the bonus pt win. Stuart has a idea what awaits him next season.
Gavin Hegarty Job done, BP done. Racing should be embarrassed to lose by 32 at ‘home’. We need to do better but you can only play what’s in front of you.
Chris McDonnell Without Sexton Henshaw and Furlong and still almost flawless. A little too much kicking for my liking but hey
MASTODON
RichardMifsud You don’t win anything in December, especially in the #championscup but you can lay down markers and #leinster did just that in Le Havre That was easily their best 80 of the season thus far Caelan Doris worthy POTM but big performances across the park Let’s see where we are in May in #dublin #R92vLEI
Jay Long You can only play what’s there but was really happy to see how hungry we were throughout. The lads chased everything. Sensational start. We’re on the road again!
Ross Carrick I wasn’t expecting this from Racing. Lack of sustained possession and phase building. Leinster aren’t at their best but are deserved three score leaders.
Robin Cafolla I remember when you feared going to France no matter who you were playing. Safe to say those days are over. Very dominant display from Leinster.
Brian Nisbet 10-42, what a wonderful victory in France! Perfect start to this year’s European campaign from a team that are playing very well together!
FRONT FIVE ARTICLES
1 IRFU believes competition structures will prevent exodus of top women players – Independent.ie [Ruairidh O’Connor]
2 Highlights: Sharks & Bulls win thrillers, Stormers slump (sarugbymag.co.za)
3 Connacht kick-start Challenge Cup campaign with home win over Newcastle Falcons – The Irish Times
4 Shambolic Ulster taught European lesson as rampant Sale Sharks nil them in opening Champions Cup pool tie – BelfastTelegraph.co.uk [Jonathan Bradley]
5 Munster come up short in thick Thomond fog against dogged Toulouse (the42.ie) [Ciarán Kennedy]
HCC ROUND 1 WRAP
ROUND ONE
LIR 27-32 MON
R92 10-42 LEIN
SHA 39-21 HAR
GLO 22-17 BOR
CLÉ 24-14 STO
LAR 46-12 NOR
BUL 42-36 LYN
CAS 12-27 EXE
SAL 39-0 ULS
MUN 13-18 TLS
SAR 30-26 EDI
OSP 17-23 LEIC
ROUND TWO
BOR V SHA
LEIN V GLO
EDI V CAS
EXE V BUL
LYN V SAR
LEIC V CLÉ
STO V LIR
ULS V LAR
MON V OSP
TLS V SAL
NOR V MUN
HAR V R92
HARPIN’ MATCH WRAPS
ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY
THE IRISH RUGBY STORE
🏉 Doddie RIP
🏉 ROG for England?
🏉 Leinster’s defence, scrum & discipline
🏉 That Ngatai offload
🏉 Hat-trick hero
THIS WEEK’S GUESTS
FULL TIME TAKES
Martin Loughrey Good result today with some good performances, but we’d have struggled against a better team. Far too many penalties, 15 in total really held us back. Russell obviously had a great game, I thought the back row were solid, and Osbourne impressed also. Ngatai’s offload for the 2nd try was some kind of witchcraft! Good to see Kelleher come through unscathed. All in all, not a vintage performance, but a solid result.
Andrew Potts Leinster played well and a number of solid performances by the next generation .
Not sure about the penalty count, its unlike Leinster to be so spendthrift.
Chris McDonnell Harry made a big difference when he came on as did foley and Cosgrave.
MASTODON
Brian Nisbet 40-5 in the RDS. Glasgow had so much possession but just couldn’t turn it into points. Leinster did, over and over
RichardMifsud Dominant display by #LeinsterRugby against Glasgow Warriors Great to see returns from key players after injury Poor discipline and inaccuracies will keep the coaches busy but overall a very welcome return to #URC action for the boys
FRONT FIVE ARTICLES
1 ‘A giant amongst big men’: Doddie Weir tributes pour in from rugby and sporting world after Scotland legend’s death | The Scotsman [Mark Atkinson]
2 Ronan O’Gara Says He Would Have To Think Carefully About England Job | Balls.ie [Gary Connaughton]
3 Wales cannot go on as they are and change is needed now with focus on the 2027 World Cup – Delme Parfitt – Wales Online [Delme Parfitt]
4 Munster 24 Connacht 17 in United Rugby Championship – SportsNewsIreland SportsNewsIreland Live Scores [Breandán Ó hUallacháin]
5 Streetwise South Africa pick up cudgel and rapier to bury England | England rugby union team | The Guardian [Andy Bull]
URC ROUND 8 WRAP
URC Round 8
STO 36-19 SCA
ULS 36-15 ZEB
BEN 24-17 EDI
BUL 43-26 OSP
LEI 40-5 GLA
MUN 24-17 CON
LIO 33-25 DRA
SHA 0-35 CAR
ROUND 9
FRI DEC 2
EDI V MUN
SAT DEC 3
STO V DRA
ZEB V GLA
CON V BEN
BUL V CAR
LEI V ULS
SUN DEC 4
LIO V SCA
HARPIN’ MATCH WRAPS ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE IRISH RUGBY STORE
IRELAND : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Robert Baloucoune 13. Robbie Henshaw 12. Stuart McCloskey 11. Mack Hansen 10. Joey Carbery 9. Jamison Gibson Park
1. Jeremy Loughman 2. Rob Herring 3. Tadhg Furlong > CAPTAIN 4. Kieran Treadwell 5. Tadhg Beirne 6. Caelan Doris 7. Nick Timoney 8. Jack Conan
16. Dan Sheehan 17. Cian Healy 18. Tom O’Toole 19. Cian Prendergast 20. Max Deegan 21. Craig Casey 22. Jack Crowley 23. Garry Ringrose
FIJI : 15 Setareki Tuicuvu 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo 13 Waisea Nayacalevu 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou 11 Vinaya Habosi 10 Teti Tela 9 Frank Lomani
1 Eroni Mawi 2 Sam Matavesi 3 Manasa Saulo 4 Isoa Nasilasila 5 Ratu Leone Rotuisolia 6 Albert Tuisue 7 Levani Botia 8 Viliame Mata
16 Mesulame Dolokoto 17 Livai Natave 18 Lee-Roy Atalifo 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa 20 John Dyer 21 Simione Kuruvoli 22 Ben Volavola 23 Adrea Cocagi
Bank of Ireland Autumn Nations Series
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Aviva Stadium Kickoff 5:15pm
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) / AR 1: Tual Trainini (FFR)
AR2: Jordan Way (ARU) / TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)
Live on: Virgin Media Two, Amazon Prime
THIS WEEK’S GUESTS
SELECTED CLIPS
FULL TIME TAKES
Conor Cronin
What a game. Losing players to injury before and during would’ve knocked us hard 5 years ago, but players stepped up and did everything asked of them.
Great awareness by Josh for his try, great calm heads in making sure the second was scored, not one player shirked his duty. That’s a compete team performance against some massive guys who tackle hard but Sore bodies will feel a little nicer for that win
James Griffin
Brain beats brawn. Delighted with the performance and how they adapted throughout.
Andrew Potts
A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.
The above is from the laws.
A history making double red, maybe a red and yellow if I was been nice.
The officials were disgracefully weak, and the players know the laws. Once again SA rugby displays the worst of their rugby culture. It’s a shame,as they are better players than that.
McBride had their cards marked a good punch in the head is all they understand.
Will World Rugby wait until we see a serious incident on the TV before they back Refs to the hilt to end this stupidity.
Kevin OCeallaigh
What a game. A true test match. Kolbe’s tackle was a stone cold red card. He changed his grip and drove Hanson into the ground. However, in hindsight I’m glad he stayed on. At least the SA journos can’t use a red card as an excuse for Ireland’s win. The world champions were beaten fair and square; 15 v’s 15!
Brian Corr
It’s hard not to be happy with the win, but I think we’ve gotten so used to being in control that that one didn’t feel so good.
Murray and McCloskey were excellent until they were forced off.
Unlike A against NZ last night the senior team stayed in the fight and the scrum held up great as well. It was good to see SA front row walking away from penalties disgusted.
I know Porter is number 1 by a long shot but it was good to see Healy roll back the clock and get a good bullocking carry in.
I know it was surprising SA missed touch with that late penalty into the corner but thought Ireland should have dealt with it better.
Considering how much time Ireland were on the back foot in the first half 6-6 was a great half time score.
Can’t say the ref affected the outcome but I can say I didn’t like his performance and felt he was bad for the game rather than for one team.
Peter Tracey
Great to see JGP back and so quick with ball bar one or two box kicks. O’Brien did well when he came on. McCloskey and Murray were doing well until too they had to go off. Bealham did well too and we need a good scrum when the front 3 go off. Kelleher to come back will be a big boast when he does. Still need to blood some more players. Rest Johnny until the 6 nations. Give some 10s a chance.
FRONT FIVE ARTICLES
Irish backline the fall guys as second string get chewed up by All Blacks XV | SportsJOE.ie [Patrick McCarry]
Women’s Rugby World Cup Team of the Semi-finals [Rugby World – Sarah Mockford]
Australia break 34-year drought to claim Hong Kong sevens (smh.com.au) [Georgina Robinson]
England stunned by Argentina in worrying start to autumn internationals | The Independent [Duncan Bech]
AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES WEEK 1 WRAP
ROM 30-23 CHI
SCO 28-12 FIJ
SPA 6-40 TON
ITA 49-17 SAM
NZL 55-23 WAL
IRE 19-16 RSA
FRA 30-29 ARG
GEO 34-18 URU
ENG 29-30 ARG
RWC2023 FINAL QUALIFIERS
USA 68-14 KEN
POR 42-14 HKG
Week 2
Sat Nov 12
TONvCHI
ITAvAUS
IREvFIJ
ENGvJPN
GEOvSAM
WALvARG
FRAvRSA
RWC2023 FINAL QUALIFIERS
POR V KEN
USA V HKG
Sun Nov 13
ROMvURU
SCOvNZL
HARPIN ON RUGBY MATCH WRAPS ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE IRISH RUGBY STORE
LEINSTER : 15 Chris Cosgrove 14 Rob Russell 13 Liam Turner 12 Charlie Ngatai 11 Dave Kearney 10 Ross Byrne 9 Luke McGrath
1 Ed Byrne 2 John McKee 3 Thomas Clarkson 4 Ross Molony 5 Jason Jenkis 6 Rhys Ruddock (c) 7 Scott Penny 8 Max Deegan
16 Tadhg McElroy 17 Michael Milne 18 Vakh Abdeladze 19 Brian Deeny 20 Martin Moloney 21 Nick McCarthy 22 Charlie Tector 23 Ben Brownlee.
Scarlets : 15 Johnny McNicholl; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Steff Evans, 12 Jonathan Davies (capt), 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies
1 Steff Thomas, 2 Daf Hughes, 3 Harri O’Connor, 4 Jac Price, 5 Tom Price, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Dan Thomas, 8 Sione Kalamafoni.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 WillGriff John, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Iwan Shenton, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Corey Baldwin.
BKT United Rugby Championship 22/23 – Round 7
Friday, October 29, 2022
Parc y Scarlets. Kickoff 7:35pm
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU)
AR 2: Simon Mills (WRU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Live on: TG4, BBC2 Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Discovery + & URC.tv
HARPIN' ON RUGBY 