374 : Leinster v Munster preview

also available as podcast

LEINSTER : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Liam Turner 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Jamie Osborne 11. James Lowe 10. Ciarán Frawley 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter 2. Lee Barron 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. RG Snyman 5. James Ryan 6. Jack Conan 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (c) 

16. Gus McCarthy 17. Cian Healy 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Ryan Baird 20. Max Deegan 21. Luke McGrath 22. Ross Byrne 23. Harry Byrne


Munster : 15 Mike Haley; 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Seán O’Brien; 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey

1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 Stephen Archer; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Tadhg Beirne (C); 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 John Hodnett, 8 Gavin Coombes.

16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Ruadhán Quinn, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Shay McCarthy.


United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 4

Saturday, October 12, 2024

KO 5:45pm Stadio Monigo

Live on: RTÉ2, Premier Sports 1, & URC.tv


Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU)

AR 2: Keane Davison (IRFU)

TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)

373 : Benetton v Leinster wrap

5 October 2024; Ciarán Frawley of Leinster beats the tackle of Tommaso Menoncello of Benetton on the way to scoring his side’s second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Benetton and Leinster at Stadio Monigo in Treviso, Italy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

🏉 The Perfect 10

🏉 Injury worries

🏉 On the blitz

🏉 Split decision 

🏉 He’s alright, Jack



FULL TIME TAKES

Michaela Monaghan

Very one sided but another BP win in the bag 😃😃… Frawley needs to stay at 10 instead of Ross Byrne

Richard Collumb

Scrum poor & got very scrappy, very quickly, still it’s PB win & a few players coming back but need to be sharper next week.

Hubert Gallagher

Frawley Frawley Frawley – there should be no other 10!!!

Eamon Saunders

Good to see some of the big boys back but really good to see some fringe players get game time (BRIAN DEENY ) Up Wexford

Denise O’Brien

I think the 10 situation became even more clear…


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372 : Benetton v Leinster preview

also available as a podcast


LEINSTER : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Jimmy O’Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Jamie Osborne 11. James Lowe 10. Ciarán Frawley 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Joe McCarthy 5. RG Snyman 6. Jack Conan 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (c) 

16. Lee Barron 17. Michael Milne 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Ryan Baird 20. Brian Deeny 21. Fintan Gunne 22. Ross Byrne 23. Scott Penny


Benetton : 15 Matt Gallagher 14 Ignacio Mendy 13 Tommaso Menoncello 12 Malakai Fekitoa 11 Paolo Odogwu 10 Jacob Umaga 9 Alessandro Garbisi

1 Mirco Spagnolo 2 Siua Maile 3 Simone Ferrari 4 Niccolò Cannone 5 Riccardo Favretto 6 Sebastian Negri 7 Manuel Zuliani 8 Michele Lamaro (C)

16 Marco Manfredi 17 Destiny Aminu 18 Enzo Avaca19 Federico Ruzza 20 Giulio Marini 21 Lorenzo Cannone 22 Andy Uren 23 Leonardo Marin


United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 3

Saturday, October 5, 2024

KO 5:15pm Stadio Monigo

Live on: RTÉ2, Premier Sports 1 & URC.tv


Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)

AR 1: Federico Vedovelli (FIR) 

AR 2: Alex Frasson (FIR)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

371 : Leinster v Dragons wrap

27 September 2024; Cian Healy of Leinster after the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Dragons at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

also available on Apple & most major platforms

🏉 D for Dragons

🏉 Jamie kicking on

🏉 Dev Jr cameo

🏉 Joe & Josh impact

🏉 The Gunne Show

RICHARD MIFSUD

JAY LONG


FULL TIME TAKES

Greg Kelly

Whenever Ross Byrne wears 10 custard skins worldwide breath a sigh of relief.

Leinster looked disjointed in the first 40. Could be early season problems but to be fair I think the Dragons were better than they have been in recent years. They knew they were going to end up on the end of 30-50 before they travelled but they stuck in and really lived off their big moments in the opening half. I think they’ll beat a few teams this year and I wouldn’t fancy Newport on a wet and windy night in the winter.

Things looked a little cleaner when Joe and Josh came in.

Deegan had another good showing and really I have to wonder what he’s still doing here. He should have gone last year and quite frankly he is squandering his talent at Leinster.

Gavin Hegarty

2/6 for Byrne from the Tee simply isn’t good enough. He was nervy and it showed.

Jimmy OBrien looked electric every time he got the ball.

We now have 3 world class hookers in Sheehan, Kelliher and Gus, a great problem to have. Gus’ lineouts were excellent and he was everywhere. Lineout dropped when Barron came on, something he needs to work on if he wants any sort of a look in.

The way osbourne is going Hugo might have a huge challenge ahead of him when he comes back.

Larmour has bulked up but I think he’s sacrificed fitness as a result, he seemed tired after 30 minutes.

Can’t help but feel a bad dragons team brought us down to their level, we should have topped 60 tonight.

Dave Murray

Wasn’t even any near misses from the tee, they were all terrible kicks. Ross has given us good service over the years, but we won’t be winning many/any major trophies with himself at 10 imo. Need to be investing in Frawley/Prendergast at 10, they’ll make us play a lot better.

Dave Ryle

I thought Osborne was more deserving of POTM.

Turner had a good game as well.


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URC WRAP


@harpinonrugby

Our latest wrap pod is now available on Apple, Spotify and most major platforms rugbytiktok urc LeinsterRugby

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

370 : Leinster v Dragons preview

also available as podcast

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts


LEINSTER : 15. Jamie Osborne 14. Jordan Larmour 13. Liam Turner 12. Charlie Tector 11. Jimmy O’Brien 10. Ross Byrne 9. Luke McGrath

1. Cian Healy 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Brian Deeny 5. James Ryan 6. Max Deegan 7. Will Connors 8. Jack Conan (c)

16. Lee Barron 17. Michael Milne 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Joe McCarthy 20. Josh van der Flier 21. Fintan Gunne 22. Harry Byrne 23. Aitzol King


Dragons RFC: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Harry Wilson, 12 Steff Hughes, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Dane Blacker

1 Rodrigo Martinez, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 3 Chris Coleman, 4 Ben Carter (c), 5 George Nott, 6 Ryan Woodman, 7 Harri Keddie, 8 Shane Lewis-Hughes

16 Oli Burrows, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Luke Yendle, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 George Young, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Joe Westwood, 23 Ewan Rosser


United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 2

Friday, September 27, 2024

KO 7:35pm Aviva Stadium

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


Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

AR 2: Tomas O’Sullivan (IRFU)

TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU)

369 : Edinburgh v Leinster wrap

20 September 2024; Jamison Gibson-Park of Leinster scores his side’s fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh and Leinster at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
also available on Apple & most major platforms

🏉 Mixed bag

🏉 Pro-Tector

🏉 Whiskey, neat

🏉 Bouncebackability

🏉 Two Healys

FULL TIME TAKES

Kevin Kelehan

JGP’s try was the catalyst that delivered that burst of scores that changed the game, lucky the Edinburgh butchered their kicks 5 minutes out but on balance a decent start to the season that needs to deliver silverware

Chris McDonnell

We handed over 5 tries to the second worst attack in the league. If we don’t send him back to SA it’d going to get worse. Good to see some of the attack and Sam and Charlie were very good.

Gavin Hegarty

First game, away, mainly young team v full Edinburgh. A lot of positives. Sam was sublime, techtor could be a great 12 with his new bulk.

Scott Penny is relentless.

Can we talk about Byrne’s reaction to his yellow? Pathetic and I think he’ll get scolded for it in the review.

William Andrew

Tector, was competent at 12, that might be a better fit for him considering the glut at 10. Prendergast was very effective too. Nicely timed passing constantly. Defence a bit leaky, but a good start

David Lawlor

Nice to banish the opening game yips we seem to have been suffering from. A joy to watch a Leinster 10 take the ball to the line and his passing was sublime too. The last minute try makes it seem closer than it really was and while it’s disappointing to concede five tries I think the defence will improve as the season goes on. Roll on Friday in the Aviva!


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URC ROUND 1 WRAP


@harpinonrugby

Check out our first wrap pod of the season, available on Spotify, Apple and most major platforms.

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

368 : Edinburgh v Leinster preview

also available as a podcast


LEINSTER : 15. Jamie Osborne 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Charlie Tector 11. Jordan Larmour 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Michael Milne 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh 5. James Ryan 6. Max Deegan 7. Scott Penny 8. Jack Conan (c)

16. John McKee 17. Cian Healy 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Brian Deeny 20. James Culhane 21. Luke McGrath 22. Ross Byrne 23. Rob Russell


EDINBURGH : 15 W Goosen 14 D Graham 13 M Tuipulotu 12 M Currie 11 D van der Merwe

10 R Thompson 9 A Price 1 P Schoeman 2 D Cherry 3 P Hill

4 M Sykes 5 G Cilchrist (c) 6 J Ritchie 7 H Watson 8 B Muncaster

16 E Ashman 17 B Venter 18 D Rae 19 J Hodgson

20 M Bradbury 21 Ben Vellacott 22 B Healy 23 E Boffelli


United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 1

Friday, September 20, 2024

KO 7:35pm Hive Stadium

Live on: Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv


Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

AR 1: Jonny Perriam (SRU) 

AR 2: Michael Todd (SRU)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

356 : Bulls v Leinster & 23/24 season wrap

15 June 2024; Joe McCarthy of Leinster, left, after his side’s defeat in the United Rugby Championship semi-final match between Vodacom Bulls and Leinster at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

🏉 Kicking game

🏉 Early conservation?

🏉 Predictability

🏉 Petersen chasing

🏉 Season review


@harpinonrugby

Pod now available on Apple, Spotify etc with bonus material on our YouTube channel throughout the week #LeinsterRugby #rugbytiktok

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

FULL TIME TAKES

Brian Corr

Heartbreaking really, you could see players struggling in the conditions but Bulls were really up for it.

Some simple things going wrong don’t want to point out individuals but snappy passing failing us too many passes dropped taking away the momentum, a couple of kicks went awry as well, the Bulls kicking was exceptional for finding distance giving them a great home advantage.

I thought Joe Mc legally turned over the ball in the middle of the field but ref giving them a penalty seemed harsh, can someone explain why Donal on commentary was giving out about him, I’m perplexed.

Scrum a massive issue, now I’m really hoping Ireland go down and win both tests, anything else and we’re in for a torrid slagging 😂

Can someone explain why when Leinster score 87 tries second only to the Bulls on 88 everyone is saying Leinsters attack is terrible?

Lastly it’s not Bernard Jackman’s fault, based on the evidence Bulls weren’t all that, they just became all that today and fair play to them.

William Andrew

Leinster looked stale. They were moved around the park by a very clever Bulls side. It was obvious at half time Leinsters game was in trouble, its change it or lose it at that point.

Has Leinster improved this season? The answer is a resounding no.

Greg Kelly

Goodman took the best attack in world rugby and turned it into a toothless mess. Neinaber took the toothless mess and turned it into a leaky, depressing to watch toothless mess. The whole setup needs a shot of something heavy next season. Put Prendergast in at 10. Use Frawley as utility cover and Ross as the backup 10. Stop shitting on the shirt by offering the youngsters up as meat on a plate to SA teams away. Use the Academy players at home against the Dragons and Zebre and other weaker teams to build their confidence…not shatter it under a 50 point tonking.

The attitudes on the training ground build a season and clearly they are off

James Murphy

Some poor decisions from management during season

Definitely need a 10 for this level, and a second 9, McGrath was overwhelmed, also Larmar too small for this level.

Pack were bunched

Colin Mehigan

Not good enough…Tyler Bleyendaal can’t start soon enough…Nienaber’s lack of success at Munster is continuing at Leinster….does he have one year left on his contract? Sam P needs to be the starting 10 from the start of next season. Ridiculously long season. Players have been flogged into the ground. A season which will live short in the memory….yet again.

Sean MacDonnchadha

The organisation now has to be put under deserved pressure. A club side with the resources and depth of a world leading international side must expect more than consistent knockout performances becoming the new norm.Players trying their heart out and you can’t fault effort, but there is something technically wrong with their coaching and setup. If this were SA, England, France or NZ they would review with a cold mentality and introduce fresh changes. If we are serious about matching those nations then we need to do the same. Our RWC history is a clear and undeniable proof of this.

Cuan Mulligan

We were devoid of ideas in attack..Ross taking the ball with both feet planted 90% of the time.. one of the last plays and we’re looking at each other with not a clue what do to… huge fall from grace given the attacking threat we used to have. Take it on the chin; better team won… come on Munster… Ross to France please



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URC WRAP

QUARTERFINALS

MUNSTER 23-7 OSPREYS

BULLS 30-23 BENETTON

LEINSTER 43-20 ULSTER

GLASGOW WARRIORS 27-10 STORMERS

SEMIFINALS

BULLS 25-20 LEINSTER

MUNSTER 10-17 GLASGOW

GRAND FINAL

SAT JUNE 22

BULLS V GLASGOW



355 : Bulls v Leinster preview

also available as podcast


LEINSTER : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Jordan Larmour 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. James Lowe 10. Ross Byrne 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Joe McCarthy 5. James Ryan (c) 6. Ryan Baird 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris

16. Rónan Kelleher 17. Cian Healy 18. Michael Ala’alatoa 19. Ross Molony 20. Jack Conan 21. Luke McGrath 22. Ciarán Frawley 23. Jamie Osborne 


BULLS : 15 W le Roux 14 S Petersen 13 D Kriel 12 H Vorster 11 D Williams 10 J Goosen 9 E Papier

1 G Steenkamp 2 J Grobelaar 3 W Louw 4 R Vermaak 5 R Nortje (c) 6 M van Staden 7 E Louw 8 C Hankenom

16 A van der Merwe 17 S Matanzima 18 F Klopper 19 R Ludwig 20 N Carr 21 K Johannes 22 C Smith 23 C Smit


BKT United Rugby Championship 2023/24 Semifinal

Saturday, June 15, 2024

KO 3pm (Irish time) Loftus Versfeld

Live on: RTÉ1, Premier Sports, URC.tv


Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

AR 1: Mike Adamson (SRU)

AR 2: Adam Jones (WRU)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)