Category: General

310 : Leinster v Stade Français wrap

13 January 2024; James Lowe of Leinster dives over to score his side’s first try during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 Round 3 match between Leinster and Stade Francais at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
@harpinonrugby

Our Leinster v Stade Francais wrap pod is out now

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

🏉 Accuracy issues

🏉 New kicking style

🏉 Ryan The Reliable

🏉 Ryan The Rampager

🏉 No 🍔, no Ø, no problem

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

CONOR CRONIN & TOM COLEMAN

FULL TIME TAKES

Joe Sheppard

Wasn’t the strongest display V poorish opposition tbh. The pure world class of each individual player was clear but as a collective it lacked overall. I’m forever impressed by the strength, skill and athleticism of Baird, McCarthy and especially Doris…… Next week away V Tigers SHOULD be a proper test of where we are currently.

Jamie Bermingham

Looks like the team are still adjusting to a new play style, seeing flashes of great plays but also a lot of silly mistakes and errors. I’m going to hold judgement till later in the season, that being said we may just be holding back till the business end.

Gav Heg

Quite disappointed that we didn’t nil them. We should easily have topped 60 here but we’re let down by stupid and unforced mistakes. It could be put down to an adjustment period but we lacked the ability to just finish moves off.

Ringrose should have been motm but Doris also deserving. I felt sorry for Baird that he didn’t go over after that colossal run.

Can’t help but feel that a decent would have picked is apart. For Leicester we need a far better performance.

Johnny McGovern

Frawley in Leinster is jinxed …Is he robust enough for professional rugby ? I could say unlucky but he just isn’t …happening too often – he actually took two knocks during the game tonight and seemed to have effected his vision. The physios checked one eye and the second issue was the heavy tackle he took . I didn’t see the end of the tackle but he was in bits . Leo said he got a knee in the back which then spasmed but the tackler must have connected with his kidneys . Not a great Leinster performance given a very poor SF team .

Andrew Bailey

Let’s not get carried away. Given the selections – the result was a formality ((When is the last time there has been a decent contest in the Aviva group game). Sloppy game punctuated by mistakes and aimless kicking. The return of Lowe a huge positive. Lineout improvement once Ryan on the pitch marked. Just worry about sluggish performances by so many

Get in the conversation yourself by leaving 

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FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

Front Five can now be found as part of our weekly 80+ column.

CHAMPIONS CUP WRAP

ROUND 3

NORTHAMPTON 61-14 BAYONNE

LYON 34-20 CONNACHT

EXETER CHIEFS 19-17 GLASGOW WARRIORS

TOULON 18-29 MUNSTER

BRISTOL BEARS 17-31 BULLS

LEINSTER 43-7 STADE FRANCAIS

STORMERS 31-24 SALE SHARKS

CARDIFF 15-54 HARLEQUINS

ULSTER 24-48 TOULOUSE

BATH 29-25 RACING 92

LA ROCHELLE 45-12 LEICESTER

BORDEAUX 55-15 SARACENS

ROUND 4

FRI JAN 19

GLASGOW V TOULON

CONNACHT V BRISTOL

SAT JAN 20

HARLEQUINS V ULSTER

BULLS V BORDEAUX

RACING 92 V CARDIFF

LEICESTER V LEINSTER

MUNSTER V NORTHAMPTON

STADE FRANCAIS V STORMERS

SARACENS V LYON

SUN JAN 21

SALE SHARKS V LA ROCHELLE

TOULOUSE V BATH

BAYONNE V EXETER

HARPIN MATCH WRAPS

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Rugby on TV : Jan 12-14

FULL LIST

(all times Irish)

NOTE : BT SPORTS IS NOW KNOWN AS TNT SPORTS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12

8PM – LANSDOWNE V UCD – MEN’S AIL 1A – BF SPORTS ANALYSIS YOUTUBE

8PM – NORTHAMPTON V BAYONNE – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 2

8PM – NEWCASTLE V BENETTON – CHALLENGE CUP – PREMIER SPORTS 1

8PM – OSPREYS V PERPIGNAN – CHALLENGE CUP – S4C

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13

1PM – LYON V CONNACHT – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 3

1PM – EXETER V GLASGOW WARRIORS – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 2, ITV 1

1PM – CLÉRMONT V SCARLETS – CHAMPIONS CUP – PREMIER SPORTS 1

2:30PM – GLASGOW WARRIORS V WOLFHOUNDS – WOMEN’S CELTIC CHALLENGE – RUGBYPASS.TV

3:15PM – BRISTOL BEARS V BULLS – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 2

3:15PM – TOULON V MUNSTER – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 3

3:15PM – ZEBRE V DRAGONS – CHALLENGE CUP – EPCRUGBY.COM*

3:15PM – CASTRES V BLACK LION – CHALLENGE CUP – EPCRUGBY.COM*

5:30PM – LEINSTER V STADE FRANÇAIS – CHAMPIONS CUP – RTÉ2, TNT SPORTS 3

5:30PM – STORMERS V SALE SHARKS – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 2

5:30PM – EDINBURGH V GLOUCESTER – CHALLENGE CUP – PREMIER SPORTS 1

8PM – CARDIFF V HARLEQUINS – CHAMPIONS CUP – S4C, TNT SPORTS 2

8PM – ULSTER V TOULOUSE – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 3

8PM – MONTPELLIER V LIONS – CHALLENGE CUP – PREMIER SPORTS 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14

1PM – BATH V RACING 92 – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 1

1PM – CLOVERS V GWALIA LIGHTNING – WOMEN’S CELTIC CHALLENGE – RUGBYPASS.TV

1:30PM – BRYTHON THUNDER V EDINBURGH – WOMEN’S CELTIC CHALLENGE – RUGBYPASS.TV

3:15PM – LA ROCHELLE V LEICESTER TIGERS – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 1

5:30PM – BORDEAUX V SARACENS – CHAMPIONS CUP – TNT SPORTS 1

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302: La Rochelle v Leinster wrap

10 December 2023; Ciarán Frawley of Leinster kicks a penalty during the Investec Champions Cup match between La Rochelle and Leinster at Stade Marcel Deflandre in La Rochelle, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
@harpinonrugby

Our LARvLEI wrap now available on Apple, Spotify, etc #rugbytiktoks🏉 #irishtiktok #LeinsterRugby

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

🏉 Il pleut beaucoup

🏉 Carley & CoCaptains

🏉 A Battle Of Wills

🏉 LAR leadership vacuum

🏉 Frawley’s Buzzer Beaters

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

RICH MIFSUD & TOM COLEMAN

FULL TIME TAKES

Conor Cronin

Away in France to the reigning champs and we finally get it right! I couldn’t be happier to see the team finally figure out how to get the better of them. Delighted to see the only try scored is Larmour, he’s had a tough couple of years.

No trick plays, no bounce off the ball stuff, and no situation where the ref was clearly biased towards us. We beat them fair and square.

The future is bright at 10, the squad will take a lot from this and fingers crossed no major injury concerns as we prepare for Saturday

Chris McDonnell

Fantastic result, can’t fault anything on the pitch. Onwards and upwards.

Greg Kelly

Really well fought win. I seem to remember LAR struggling in similar conditions last year against Ulster. Byrne was pretty solid in what he did and Frawley fronted up well on a difficult night. Certainly a big weekend in the post Johnny period in blue and green.

Bert McLoughlin

What was best about today’s performance was the hunger to make dominant tackles and be physical in poor conditions. That hunger will make us strong contenders this season. No signs of a wc hangover

Gavin Hegarty

To me Byrne stood up when asked and frawley did the same. We’re good @10 for a few years!

Hats off to connors, he delivered and then some. Epic performance.

We had some unleinster mistakes but we’ll learn as the game evolves. Porter was constantly talking to the ref, this I like.

I did not like the ref telling ringer he won’t talk to Ryan but fear this is a result of ‘co’ captains. We need to sort thst.

William Andrew

Appalling display by the Ref, looked like he was been coached by LR. Said it twice to them but still did nothing to shut them up.

Honestly Refs need to realise a big scrum can actually bring a scrum down and play the odds like they play the red zone odds.

Jamie Donohoe

Very proud of that very courageous performance in those conditions. And i thought the Ref handled the game well too

Get in the conversation yourself by leaving 

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FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

[this week’s Front Five segment is over on our YouTube channel]

1  Bath 37-14 Ulster: Bath come from behind to secure bonus-point win in pool opener – BBC Sport [Matt Gault]

2  Heffernan: Connacht didn’t deliver against Bordeaux (rte.ie) [Michael Glennon]

3  Jackman Hits On Munster Issue Exposed In Disappointing Bayonne Draw | Balls.ie [Colman Stanley]

4  ‘You appreciate you’re a person first, not a rugby player first’ – Ryan Baird (the42.ie) [Rebecca Dollard] 

5  Irish Rugby | Parsons Shines As Ireland Women Claim Seventh Spot In Cape Town

CHAMPIONS CUP WRAP

ROUND 1

CONNACHT 5-41 BORDEAUX

GLASGOW 19-28 NORTHAMPTON

TOULON 18-19 EXETER

TOULOUSE 52-7 CARDIFF

BATH 37-14 ULSTER

BULLS 27-16 SARACENS

MUNSTER 17-17 BAYONNE

BRISTOL 36-34 LYON

SALE SHARKS 28-5 STADE FRANCAIS

LEICESTER TIGERS 35-26 STORMERS

LA ROCHELLE 9-16 LEINSTER

RACING 92 28-31 HARLEQUINS

ROUND 2

FRI DEC 15

NORTHAMPTON V TOULON

BAYONNE V GLASGOW WARRIORS

SAT DEC 16

SARACENS V CONNACHT

STORMERS V LA ROCHELLE

BORDEAUX V BRISTOL BEARS

LYON V BULLS

LEINSTER V SALE SHARKS

CARDIFF V BATH

ULSTER V RACING 92

SUN DEC 17

EXETER CHIEFS V MUNSTER

HARLEQUINS V TOULOUSE

STADE FRANCAIS V LEICESTER TIGERS

HARPIN MATCH WRAPS

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Rugby on TV : Nov 2-6

FULL LIST

(all times Irish)

NOTE : BT SPORTS IS NOW KNOWN AS TNT SPORTS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2

4:25PM – 🔝🐱🐴 HIGHLIGHTS – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1

7:30PM – PONTYPOOL V EBBW VALE – WELSH PREM – S4C ONLINE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3

5AM – AUSTRALIA V WALES – WXV1 – RUGBYPASS.TV

7:35PM – GLASGOW WARRIORS V STORMERS – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1, URC.TV*

7:35PM – OSPREYS V SHARKS – BBC2 WALES, VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

7:45PM – SALE SHARKS V GLOUCESTER – PREMIERSHIP – TNT SPORTS 1

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

2AM – FRANCE V CANADA – W.XV1 – RUGBYPASS.TV

5AM – ENGLAND V NEW ZEALAND – W.XV1 – RUGBYPASS.TV

12PM – BLACK LION V CASTILLA Y LEON – RE SUPER CUP – RUGBYEUROPE.TV

1PM – ZEBRE V BULLS – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

2:30PM – WALES V BARBARIANS – INTERNATIONAL – S4C

3PM – HARLEQUINS V NEWCASTLE, NORTHAMPTON V BATH – PREMIERSHIP – PR.TV*

3PM – LUSITANOS V TEL AVIV HEAT – RE SUPER CUP – RUGBYEUROPE.TV

3:05PM – LEINSTER V EDINBURGH – URC – RTÉ2, VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

3:05PM – SARACENS V LEICESTER TIGERS – PREMIERSHIP – TNT SPORTS 1

5:15PM – SCARLETS V CARDIFF – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

5:15PM – MUNSTER V DRAGONS – URC – RTÉ2, VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1, URC.TV*

6PM – BRUSSELS DEVILS V DELTA – RE SUPER CUP – RUGBYEUROPE.TV

7:35PM – CONNACHT V ULSTER – URC – TG4, VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

12PM – ROMANIAN WOLVES V BOHEMIA WARRIORS – RE SUPER CUP – RUGBYEUROPE.TV

1:30PM – BENETTON V LIONS – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

3PM – EXETER V BRISTOL BEARS – PREMIERSHIP – TNT SPORTS 1

8PM – PAU V TOULOUSE – 🔝🐱🐴 – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6

8PM – AGAINST THE HEAD – RTÉ2

11PM – 🔝🐱🐴 HIGHLIGHTS – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1

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YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Rugby on TV : Oct 20-23

FULL LIST

(all times Irish)

NOTE : BT SPORTS IS NOW KNOWN AS TNT SPORTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20

7AM – ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA – WXV1 – RUGBYPASS.TV

1PM – USA V SCOTLAND – WXV2 – RUGBYPASS.TV

2PM – KAZAKHSTAN V KENYA – WXV3 – RUGBYPASS.TV

3:30PM – ITALY V SOUTH AFRICA – WXV2 – RUGBYPASS.TV

4:30PM – SPAIN V FIJI – WXV3 – RUGBYPASS.TV

6PM – NEWCASTLE V GLOUCESTER – PREMIERSHIP – PR.TV*

8PM – ARGENTINA V NEW ZEALAND – RWC2023 – RTÉ2, ITV1

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

2:05AM – TARANAKI V HAWKE’S BAY – NPC – SKY SPORTS ARENA

4AM – CANADA V WALES – WXV1 – RUGBYPASS.TV

7AM – NEW ZEALAND V FRANCE – WXV1 – RUGBYPASS.TV

1PM – ZEBRE V ULSTER – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1, URC.TV*

2PM – IRELAND V COLOMBIA – WXV3 – RUGBYPASS.TV [actual link for match]

3PM – CONNACHT V OSPREYS – URC – TG4, VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

3PM – JAPAN V SAMOA – WXV2 – RUGBYPASS.TV

3PM – SARACENS V BATH, NORTHAMPTON V BRISTOL – PREMIERSHIP – PR.TV*

3:05PM – LIONS V STORMERS – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER EXTRA, URC.TV*

3:05PM – DRAGONS V EDINBURGH – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1, URC.TV*

3:05PM – LEICESTER TIGERS V SALE SHARKS – PREMIERSHIP – TNT SPORTS 1

5:15PM – CARDIFF V BENETTON – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1, URC.TV*

5:15PM – MUNSTER V SHARKS – URC – TG4, URC.TV*

8PM – ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA – RWC2023 – VIRGIN MEDIA ONE, ITV1

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22

2PM – BULLS V SCARLETS – URC – VIAPLAY/PREMIER 2, URC.TV*

3PM – HARLEQUINS V EXETER – PREMIERSHIP – TNT SPORTS 1

4PM – GLASGOW WARRIORS V LEINSTER – URC – RTÉ2, VIAPLAY/PREMIER 1, URC.TV*

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23

10:30PM – AGAINST THE HEAD – RTÉ2

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YOUTUBE CHANNEL

282 : #IREvNZL preview

also available as a podcast

OUR GUEST

NEIL ‘KEEGO’ KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

IRELAND v New Zealand : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Mack Hansen 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Bundee Aki 11. James Lowe 10. Johnny Sexton (C) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Tadhg Beirne 5. Iain Henderson 6. Peter O’Mahony 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris

16. Ronan Kelleher 17. David Kilcoyne 18. Finlay Bealham 20. Jack Conan 21. Conor Murray 22. Jack Crowley 23. Jimmy O’Brien

NEW ZEALAND 15 B Barrett 14 W Jordan 13 R Ioane 12 J Barrett 11 L Fainga’anuku 10 R Mo’unga 9 A Smith
1 E de Groot 2 C Taylor 3 T Lomax 4 B Retallick 5 S Barrett 6 S Frizzell 7 S Cane (c) 8 A Savea
16 D Coles 17 T Williams 18 F Newell 19 S Whitelock 20 D Papali’i 21 F Christie 22 D McKenzie 23 A Lienart-Brown

Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarterfinal
Saturday October 14 KO 8pm (Irish time)
Stade de France
TV : RTÉ2

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
AR1: Matthew Carley (RFU)
AR2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)

Ireland Women v Kazakhstan : 15. Méabh Deely 14. Natasja Behan 13. Eve Higgins 12. Aoife Dalton 11. Béibhinn Parsons 10. Dannah O’Brien 9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe

1. Linda Djougang 2. Neve Jones 3. Christy Haney 4. Dorothy Wall 5. Sam Monaghan (captain) 6. Grace Moore 7. Edel McMahon 8. Brittany Hogan 

16. Sarah Delaney 17. Sadhbh McGrath 18. Megan Collis 19. Eimear Corri 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary 21. Aoibheann Reilly 22. Nicole Fowley 23. Leah Tarpey

W.XV3 Round 1
Friday, October 13 KO 4:30pm (Irish time)
Sevens Stadium, Dubai
Streamed for free on RugbyPass TV

277 : #RSAvIRE preview

also available as podcast

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

IRELAND : 15 H Keenan 14 M Hansen 13 G Ringrose 12 B Aki 11 James Lowe 10 J Sexton (c) 9 J Gibson-Park

1 A Porter 2 R Kelleher 3 T Furlong 4 T Beirne 5 J Ryan 6 P O’Mahony 7 J van der Flier 8 C Doris

16 D Sheehan 17 D Kilcoyne 18 F Bealham 19 I Henderson  20 R Baird 21 C Murray 22 J Crowley 23 R Henshaw

SOUTH AFRICA : 15 Damian Willemse 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse 13 Jesse Kriel 12 Damian de Allende 11 Cheslin Kolbe 10 Manie Libbok 9 Faf de Klerk

1 Steven Kitshoff 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi 3 Frans Malherbe 4 Eben Etzebeth 5 Franco Mostert 6 Siya Kolisi (c) 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit 8 Jasper Wiese

16 Deon Fourie 17 Ox Nche 18 Trevor Nyakane 19 Jean Kleyn 20 RG Snyman 21 Marco van Staden 22 Kwagga Smith 23 Cobus Reinach

Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B

Saturday September 23 KO 8pm (Irish time)

Stade de France

TV : RTÉ2 

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)

AR1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)

AR2: James Doleman (NZR)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Also Leinster v Ulster, Fri Sep 22 6:30pm, Navan RFC

LEINSTER : 15. Chris Cosgrave 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Jamie Osborne 12. Ciarán Frawley 11. Rob Russell 10. Harry Byrne 9. Cormac Foley

1. Jack Boyle 2. John McKee 3. Rory McGuire 4. Brian Deeny 5. Jason Jenkins 6. Max Deegan 7. Will Connors 8. James Culhane (C)

Replacements : Lee Barron, Paddy McCarthy, Thomas Connolly, Ross Molony, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny, Ben Murphy, Sam Prendergast, Andrew Osborne, Ben Brownlee, Liam Turner, Aitzol King, Jordan Larmour

275 : #IREVTON preview

IRELAND : 15 H Keenan 14 M Hansen 13 G Ringrose 12 B Aki 11. James Lowe

10. Johnny Sexton (captain) 9. Conor Murray

1 A Porter 2 R Kelleher 3 T Furlong 4 T Beirne 5 J Ryan 6 P O’Mahony 7 J van der Flier 8 C Doris

16 R Herring 17 D Kilcoyne 18 F Bealham 19 I Henderson  20 R Baird 21 C Casey 22 R Byrne 23 R Henshaw

TONGA :15 C Salesi Piutau 14 A Taumoepeau 13 M Fekitoa 12 P Ahki 11 S Kata 10 W Havili 9 A Pulu

1 S Fisi’ihoi 2 P Ngauamo 3 B Tameifuna 4 S Lousi 5 H Fifita 6 T Halaifonua 7 S Talitui 8 V Fifita

16 S Moli 17 T Koloamatangi 18 S Apikotoa 19 S Paea 20 S Funaki 21 S Vailanu 22 S Takul 23 F Inisi

Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B

Saturday September 16 KO 8pm (Irish time)

Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

TV : RTÉ2 

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

AR1 : Matthew Carley (RFU)

AR2 : Craig Evans (WRU)

TMO: Tom Foley (RFU) 

Our guest : CONOR CRONIN

80+ column : Sep 5 2023

A TUESDAY COLUMN LOOKING AT

TOPICS BEYOND THE SCOPE 

OF OUR FEATURE MATCH OF THE WEEK

GUEST POD

With one more weekend without an Irish men’s match ahead of RWC2023 I decided to take it easy on the content-creating front but I did agree to do a pod for Caolán Scully which was part of his preview series and looked specifically at Ireland’s chances.

In the pod I suggest that if Ireland should have “Adversity” as a buzzword we should also go with “Belief” as well, and just to get ahead of the jokes I pointed out that I know my accent makes it sound like I’m a rugby version of Tad Lasso and apparently one of Caolán’s mates agreed…

Anyway the pod was released as a joint project so it’s on my feed as number 272 but I’d also like to plug Caolán’s pod so if you haven’t heard it already check it out below.

HARPIN ON…IRELAND’S OPTIONS AT 5, 7 & 14

This week I am grateful to Caolán for letting me use his pod recording for getting two more instalmetns of my “Ireland’s options” series done, and I am also grateful to Cian “RugbyKino” O’Muilleoir for taking the time to record his bit on jersey number 7.

IRELAND’S BENCH AT RWC2023

There are only two positions left to do in our “Ireland’s options” series, I gave each contributor a choice of jersey numbers so the two that got left behind are 13 and 15 so I will do them myself in a video to be recorded Wednesday.  I also did a brief TikTok on Ireland’s bench which you can see below, the plan is to do video like that every week throughout the season so you have been warned!

@harpinonrugby

from our latest 80+ column over on harpinonrugby.com

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

MORE CONGRATS TO LEINSTER WOMEN

I’ve said it on Twitter/x and on the pod already but I literally can’t give enough praise to Leinster’s women’s squad over their Interpro title secured at Musgrave Park they had to do it the hard way yet ended up doing it in style.

I’ve also said this many many times before but I’ll keep repeating it until it happens…the provincial teams need to play more often throughout the season IMO.  I know circumstances are different but a few friendlies with Scots and Welsh teams plus a home and away calendar for the Interpro itself must be doable.

PREDICTION SPREADSHEET

When we’re not calling him Rugby Kino here at Harpin Manor, Cian O’Muilleoir is The Prince Of Permutations as his tournament spreadsheets are legendary in that they allow you to plug in different scores to see what happens next.

He has worked with another Irish twitter rugby fan/legend Justin Deegan to produce one for RWC2023, just follow the instructions below to sample it for yourself…

Just save a copy to your own Google account, then plug in the scores and bonus points as they happen or as you predict and it’ll do the rest, all the way through to the finals. It includes most of the tiebreaker calculations and can handle head to head result extraction for up to 5 teams on tied points in any given group, for all the groups.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15sAj0aIeO999HbtoOxyzk-OxRzvaVt1r/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=101401552175354143604&rtpof=true&sd=true

LEINSTER MEN PRESEASON

Almost as if to taunt us with one final reminder of how last season’s URC went just before the RWC kicks off, Munster have not only scheduled a men’s friendly with Leinster kicking off at 6pm on Friday (therefore finishing just as France v New Zealand gets underway), but if fans of the boys in blue are unable to travel we will have to pay at least €6 to Access Munster for the privilege.  Since it’s money that technically goes to support Irish Rugby, it should be worth it but I’ll leave that determination with yourselves.  I for one am very interested to see what kind of lineup we put out.  And don’t forget there’s a second match set with Ulster taking place on Friday September 22 kicking off at 6:30pm at Navan RFC, tickets can be bought here.

🔝🐱🐴 UPDATE

It’s barely the beginning of September and the Top Quatorze is already three rounds in, because of course it is.  I fully expect within the next couple of years the first round in a new season will actually take place before the previous year’s final, rule it out at your peril.

With the league’s penchant for teams skimping on away selections, it’s actually not that often that teams win or lose all of their opening three matches, and this year is no exception with only Stade Francais at the top and USAP at the bottom being perfect in their own way.

And because the World Cup is actually on French soil, they had to leave a massive gap between rounds 3 and 4 so it’s very difficult to speculate how the league is going to unfold from here but you whatever happens we’ll be following it all on this column throughout the season.

Round 1

Montpellier 26-15 La Rochelle

Perpignan 7-29 Stade Francais

US Oyonnax 36-17 Clérmont

Castres 24-23 Pau

Lyon 27-15 Toulon

Racing 92 23-18 Bordeaux

Bayonne 26-7 Toulouse

Round 2

Toulouse 38-13 Montpellier

Toulon 19-14 Bayonne

Bordeaux 25-23 Castres

Clérmont 38-14 Perpignan

Pau 19-17 Racing 92

La Rochelle 35-14 Lyon

Stade Francais 28-18 Oyonnax

Round 3

Bordeaux 22-17 Toulon

Clérmont 11-10 La Rochelle

Castres 37-0 Bayonne

Stade Francais 24-9 Montpellier

Pau 40-10 Lyon

Racing 92 59-10 Lyon

Oyonnax 21-27 Toulouse

Round 4

Sat October 29

Bayonne v Stade Francais

Perpignan v Pau

La Rochelle v Castres

Lyon v Clérmont

Montpellier v Racing 92

Toulon v Oyonnax

Toulouse v Bordeaux

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

Back to full swing this week here at Harpin’ Manor, I’ll be working on that final video for the series on Ireland’s starting options this Wednesday, with just jerseys 13 and 15 left, then on Thursday our “Upcoming Rugby on Irish TV” post is back with a vengeance before we turn our full attention to Ireland v Romania with a preview featuring Mark Jackson on Friday, social media commentary throughout the match itself and of cours the wrap pod recording Sunday evening where we’re planning on attempting some time travel so be sure and look out for that, 

As ever be sure to enjoy your rugby wherever you are.  JLP

ChatGPT generates a virtual URC Final #STOvMUN #Munster4ADay

2nd title in a row or 1st title since 2011?

Big match today to end the season promises to be a classic.

Obvs the Stormers will be favourites on their home patch but anyone who thinks Munster can’t complete what would be an unprecedented 3 away playoff wins on the bounce hasn’t been paying attention.

FWIW I reckon Graham, Peter & co will get ‘er done.

For the past few weeks we’ve been putting the matchday squads from upcoming matches through ChatGPT to see what kind of match it generates so for the record, this is what the app came up with….

PROMPT

Imagine a game of 15-a-side rugby union between DHL Stormers and Munster Rugby over two halves of 40 minutes with the two lineups outlined below, taking into account the current reputation and form of all the players involved.

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).

16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Munster: 15 Mike Haley; 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Shane Daly; 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray

1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 3 Stephen Archer; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Peter O’Mahony (C), 7 John Hodnett, 8 Gavin Coombes.

16 Niall Scannell, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Keith Earls

Write 2000 words on the progress of the match in the form of a timeline (no conclusion, just the timeline only) reporting incidents like tries, conversions, penalties, injuries and yellow or red cards.

0’ – The match starts with DHL Stormers kicking off to Munster. 

4’ – Evan Roos makes a powerful run but is tackled by Peter O’Mahony. Stormers get penalized for holding on.

5’ – Jack Crowley kicks the penalty over and Munster take an early 3-0 lead.

9’ – A great offload from Tadhg Beirne sends Gavin Coombes over the line for a try. Crowley converts and Munster lead 10-0.

14’ – Herschel Jantjies puts in a clever chip over the Munster defense and Leolin Zas collects it, dives over the line and scores a try for Stormers. Damian Willemse misses the conversion. Munster leads 10-5.

19’ – Munster put together a great attack, Jack Crowley releases Antoine Frisch who dives over in the corner to score a try. Jack Crowley converts, Munster 17-5 up.

25’ – Evan Roos makes a break through the Munster defence, but is tackled by Diarmuid Barron. The Stormers knock on and Munster wins the scrum.

31’ – A great box kick from Conor Murray is collected by Antoine Frisch who twists and turns his way through the Stormers defence to score his second try of the match. Crowley with a great conversion extends Munster’s lead to 24-5.

36’ – The Stormers put together a number of phases and eventually Ruben van Heerden burrows his way over the line for a try. Damian Willemse converts. Munster still leads 24-12.

40’ – Half time arrives with Munster in control of the game, leading 24-12. The Stormers will need to stage a comeback in the second half to win.

45’ – The Stormers start the second half dominating the early exchanges, but are unable to convert into points.

50’ – A great break from Herschel Jantjies sends Damian Willemse over the Munster try line to score. Willemse adds the conversion. Stormers start to pull their way back into the match, Munster 24-19.

55’ – A red card for Munster! Peter O’Mahony is shown the red card for a high tackle on Herschel Jantjies. Munster will play the rest of the match with 14 men.

59’ – The Stormers capitalize on the one-man advantage with Steven Kitshoff scoring a try to level the game at 24-24. Willemse makes the conversion, Stormers in the lead for the first time in the match, 26-24.

62’ – Munster hit back with a break from Shane Daly. Antoine Frisch scores his hat-trick, with Crowley converting to give Munster the lead once again, 31-26.

68’ – The Stormers make changes, bringing on Willie Engelbrecht, Neethling Fouche and Ben-Jason Dixon.

72’ – A yellow card for Stormers’ Hacjivah Dayimani after a high tackle on Jack Crowley.

74’ – Jack Crowley slots the penalty over, increasing Munster’s lead to 34-26.

79’ – Munster on the attack, but the ball is turned over by Stormers’ Deon Fourie who makes a break. Munster penalized for holding on.

80’ – Full time! Munster Rugby hold on to win the match 34-26 over DHL Stormers.