Tom joins me for a quick look at Leinster’s expectations as well as players we’re looking to kick on.
TUESDAY – Bonus video (Women’s World Cup review – Substack/YouTube)
WEDNESDAY – 80+ column (Substack)
THURSDAY – Stormers v Leinster preview feat Keego (Substack/YouTube)
Hi there welcome back to the 80+ column, pretty much the only content I’m churning out for the off-season.
Although there’s still a month before the URC kicks off, with the 🔝🐱🐴 opening series of matches around the corner I want to take the opportunity to at least devote the majority of space in this column to the women’s game. Our remit may be the Leinster & Ireland men’s teams but we are of course rugby fans first and foremost and RWC2025 is where it’s at right now.
But for this tournament I do my best not to try to pass myself off as an expert, I am primarily a fan so if it’s proper analysis and interviews you want, I sincerely hope you’re subscribed to the excellent MudderRucker podcast – we spoke to host Ailbhe O’Nolan a couple of weeks ago and you can find that plus all the relevant links here.
This is just a sample from the full column which can be found on Substack at this link. Please be sure to subscribe while you’re there!!!!
Our guest : AILBHE O’NOLAN
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.
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)
🏉 A Half of Four Eighths?
🏉 Val & Skel
🏉 Better bench
🏉 Dramatic conclusion
🏉 What next for Aus?
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)
🏉 Whiskey & Finn
🏉 Bench “Impact”
🏉 Wallabies “attack”
🏉 Irish contingent
🏉 Justifying selection
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
Our guest : HUGO GORDON
HARPIN' ON RUGBY 