Category: Match preview

459 : Bulls v Leinster preview

ALSO AVAILABLE AS A PODCAST

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

LEINSTER : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Hugh Cooney 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. Andrew Osborne 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Luke McGrath (c)

1. Paddy McCarthy 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Brian Deeny 5. Ryan Baird 6. Alex Soroka 7. Will Connors 8. Max Deegan

16. John McKee 17. Jack Boyle 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Diarmuid Mangan 20. Scott Penny 21. James Culhane 22. Fintan Gunne 23. Ciarán Frawley

BULLS :15 Devon Williams 14 Sebastian de Klerk 13 David Kriel 12 Harold Vorster 11 Stravino Jacobs 10 Keagan Johannes 9 Embrose Papier

1 Gerhard Steenekamp 2 Johann Grobbelaar 3 Mornay Smith 4 N JV Rensburg 5 JF van Heerden 6 Marcell Coetzee 7 Mpilo Gumede 8 JJ Theron

16 Juann Else 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Francois Klopper 19 Sintu Manjezi 20 Nama Xaba 21 Zak Burger 22 Stedman Gans 23 Willie le Roux

BKT United Rugby Championship 25/26 Rd 2

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria

KO 5:30pm Irish time  

Live on : Premier Sports 1, URC.tv

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)

AR 1: Sean Miller (SARU)

AR 2:  AJ Jacobs (SARU)

TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

457 : Stormers v Leinster preview

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

LEINSTER : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Robbie Henshaw 12. Ciarán Frawley 11. Jordan Larmour 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Luke McGrath (c)

1. Jack Boyle 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Rabah Slimani 4. Diarmuid Mangan 5. Brian Deeny 6. Ryan Baird 7. Scott Penny 8. James Culhane

16. John McKee 17. Paddy McCarthy 18. Andrew Sparrow 19. Max Deegan 20. Will Connors 21. Fintan Gunne 22. Harry Byrne 23. Hugh Cooney

STORMERS :  15 Wandisile Simelane 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer

1 Vernon Matongo 2 André-Hugo Venter 3 Neethling Fouché 4 Adré Smith 5 JD Schickerling 6 Paul de Villiers 7 Ben-Jason Dixon 8 Evan Roos 

16 JJ Kotze, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart

BKT United Rugby Championship 25/26 Rd 1

Friday, September 26, 2025

DHL Stadium, Cape Town

KO 6pm Irish time  

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

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

AR 1: Sean Muller (SARU)

AR 2:  Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Adam Jones (WRU)

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

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.blog

448 : Brumbies review, AUNZ & Portugal previews

@harpinonrugby

Mark joined me shortly after the FT whistle to quickly look back over Brumbies v Lions #rugbytiktok #lionsrugby

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.blog
@harpinonrugby

Mark Jackson joins me once more to look ahead to the Lions’ latest outing #lionsrugby #rugbytiktok

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.blog
@harpinonrugby

Ciarán Duffy joins me to look ahead to Ireland’s test in Lisbon on Saturday #rugbytiktok #Irelandrugby

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.blog

446 : WARvBIL & GEOvIRE previews

@harpinonrugby

Check out our latest Lions preview #rugbyunion #rugbytiktok #lionstour

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.blog
@harpinonrugby

Check out our Georgia v Ireland preview #rugbytiktok

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.blog

Western Force v Lions preview

@harpinonrugby

Dan Sheehan leads the Lions in their first match down under, here’s a quick Harpin Preview with the help of Mark Jackson #lionsrugby #rugbytiktok

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.blog

With two tour matches a week we don’t have time to do full previews each time but we’re grateful to Mark Jackson for agreeing to do these brief TikToks ahead of each match.

442 : URC Grand Final preview

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

LEINSTER : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Jordie Barrett 11. James Lowe 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Jamison Gibson-Park Luke McGrath

1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Joe McCarthy 5. James Ryan 6. Ryan Baird 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Jack Conan (c)

16. Rónan Kelleher 17. Jack Boyle 18. Rabah Slimani 19. RG Snyman 20. Max Deegan 21. Luke McGrath Fintan Gunne 22. Ross Byrne 23. Jamie Osborne

BULLS : 15 Willie le Roux 14 Canon Moodie 13 David Kriel 12 Harold Vorster 11 Sebastian de Klerk 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier

1 Jan-hendrik Wessels 2 Johan Grobbelaar 3 Wilco Louw 4 Cobus Wiese 5 JF van Heerden 6 Marco van Staden 7 Ruan Nortje (c) 8 Marcell Coetzee

16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Mornay Smith 19 Jannes Kirsten 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Zak Burger 22 Keagan Johannes 23 Devon Williams

BKT United Rugby Championship 24/25 Grand Final

Saturday, June 14, 2025

KO 2:45pm  Aviva Stadium

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

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

AR 1: Mike Adamson (SRU)

AR 2: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

UPDATE : We have received further press conference videos…

[they might have taken a moment to re-think the above thumbnail image…]