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)

80+ column : Sep 18

SEASON 6 PREMIERE POD

sample from latest pod full episode available on Apple, Spotify, etc
A selection of five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the rugby media landscape.

“HE’S TO BE” COACH

The appointment will see Easterby in place for the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations and the Men’s summer tour next year, details of which are to be confirmed.

Easterby To Become Interim Ireland Men’s Head Coach

IrishRugby.ie


CAPTAIN CAELAN

“It was a huge honour for me to co-captain Leinster over the last two seasons and we’ll just support Caelan now as much as possible.”

James Ryan gives Caelan Doris his ‘full support’ after captaincy change

Neil Treacy -RTÉ.ie


RDS RE:DEVELOPMENTS

…no matter how successful the move to the Aviva Stadium proves, Leinster will return to the RDS having signed a 25-year lease in 2022.

Leinster could be out of the RDS for two seasons due to redevelopment

Rúaidhrí O’Connor – Irish Independent


CITIZEN BUNDEE

“To be granted citizenship is not something you take lightly…I have nothing to complain about here. I love the people, love the culture”

Rugby star Bundee Aki gains Irish citizenship

Jade Wilson – Irish Times


A BETTER BEST LEAGUE?

Compared with the increasingly buoyant and eye-catching Top 14, Newcastle v Dragons or Connacht v Sale on a Friday night would hardly be a gamechanger.

Why a British and Irish league would not be a rugby gamechanger

Rob Kitson – Irish Examiner


LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

INJURY UPDATE – AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Liam Turner (arm), Lee Barron (shoulder) and Alex Soroka (foot): returned to full training during pre-season having missed the end of last season.

INJURY UPDATE – FURTHER ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:

Jamison Gibson-Park: will step up his rehabilitation programme this week as he nears a return from a hamstring injury.

NO FURTHER UPDATES ON:

Dan Sheehan (knee) and RG Snyman (foot).

HARPIN’ MATCHDAY 23 V EDINBURGH

A Osbourne, T O’Brien, Turner, H Byrne, Russell, R Byrne, Foley

Milne, Barron, Slimani, Soroka, O’Tighearnaigh, Deegan, Penny, Conan (c)

McKee, Boyle, Clarkson, Spicer, Culhane, McGrath, Prendergast, McErlean

Caveat : I have no “ITK”!!!

TROLL PATROL

Irish Women’s team

URC Irish Shield

Men’s AIL kickoff

Premiership

🔝🐱🐴

Click here for article on Stuart Hogg as referenced in the video

ProD2

The Rugby Championship

RE Super Cup

Currie Cup

Harpin Prediction League

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

Thursday : Edinburgh v Leinster preview – video & pod

Friday : Harpin spot on Dublin South FM (after 5pm news)

Leave a comment on our Facebook page after the fulltime whistle

Sunday : Edinburgh v Leinster wrap pod recording


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)


354 : Leinster v Ulster wrap

8 June 2024; Jordan Larmour of Leinster evades the tackle of Ethan McIlroy of Ulster on his way to scoring his side’s fourth try during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Leinster and Ulster at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

🏉 Slow start

🏉 Misleading margins

🏉 Soccer skills

🏉 Marvellous McCarthy

🏉 Southern soujourn

@harpinonrugby

Our Leinster v Ulster wrap pod is now available on Apple, Spotify, etc, with a bonus clip on our YouTube channel

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

FULL TIME TAKES

Cuan Mulligan

Ross while having some good moments, is too predictable, and offers little variety in attack…. Sam tried some outrageous moves , came off, granted they won’t always but means teams are unsure what to expect…

Greg Kelly

Watched the game on SuperSport and I get the impression the Saffas don’t watch Leinster in detail because they’re a bit worried 😂

It’s nice to see Leinster going full guns in the league for the first time in a while. It was a high quality game that Leinster managed well.

Strangely enough I wonder if Prendergast being in the squad and then coming in and showing some good touches means he’s not going anywhere next season. Personally I think they have to look to make him the solid number 2 next year with an eye to him getting the starting shirt if performances warrant it.

Brian Corr

I’m almost afraid to say anything because of the backlash of you’re arrogant and typical Leinster, but with almost the full squad available it’s hard to see how Ulster would have really threatened Leinster, particularly without their captain and next best second row out.

Ulster came out flying but could not get over the line, a couple of tries some would call lucky and they were buried by 1/2 time. Lucky translates into the harder I work the more luck I get.

While Ulster never went away, they conceded within minutes of scoring their first tries.

For Leinster it was great to get a comprehensive win and a fairly hard fought one which will stand to them next week.

Osbourne and Henshaw were everywhere, though it was a full team performance, I don’t know if anyone had a bad game.

Robert Webster

Good win by Leinster but thought score flattered them a little. Next week should be a good game but would expect Leinster to have too much for the Bulls, who will need to up their performance from today to have any chance. Would add that I thought it was a pretty disappointing crowd for a knock out derby.

Gordy Graham

Ultimately I’m a disappointed Ulster fan again but the boys gave it everything today and it was always going to be a big ask after losing four second rows. Murphy has had a big impact at Ulster and there’s a bit of positivity about the place now which is nice!

From an impartial view point I can’t understand Leinster’s continued obsession with Byrne, he seems to have lost his confidence and offers very little in the way of attacking threat. I think that’s why Leinster’s attack as a whole has slowed down.

Colin Mcconaghie

Massively depleted Ulster team gave their all. Not to be against a very strong Leinster.

Proud of our young lads after being written off all season.


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URC WRAP

QUARTERFINALS

MUNSTER V OSPREYS8

BULLS V BENETTON

LEINSTER 43-20 ULSTER

GLASGOW WARRIOR V STORMERS

SEMIFINALS

SAT JUNE 15

BULLS V LEINSTER

MUNSTER V GLASGOW



353 : Leinster v Ulster Preview

also available as a podcast

LEINSTER : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Jordan Larmour 13. Robbie Henshaw 12. Jamie Osborne 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. Max Deegan 21. Luke McGrath 22. Sam Prendergast 23. Ciarán Frawley 


ULSTER : 15 Stewart Moore, 14 Mike Lowry, 13 Will Addison, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney;

1 Eric O’Sullivan, 2 Rob Herring (C), 3 Tom O’Toole, 4 Harry Sheridan, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 6 Matty Rea, 7 David McCann, 8 Nick Timoney.

16 Tom Stewart, 17 Andy Warwick, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Greg Jones, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Ethan McIlroy, 23 Jude Postlethwaite.


BKT United Rugby Championship 2023/24 Quarterfinal

Saturday, June 8, 2024

KO 5pm Aviva Stadium

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, URC.tv


Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

AR1: Craig Evans (WRU)

AR2: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

TMO: Brain MacNeice (IRFU)

352 : Leinster v Connacht wrap

31 May 2024; Jimmy O’Brien of Leinster scores his side’s fifth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
pod also available on Apple & most major platforms

🏉 Early scores
🏉 Sam composure
🏉 TYVM RR,RM,EB,RDS
🏉 BP eventually
🏉 Tricky path ahead



@harpinonrugby

Pod is now available on Apple, Spotify and most major platforms. rugbytiktok LeinsterRugby #URC

♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

FULL TIME TAKES

Brian Corr

Connacht seemed way off the pace, it was clear early on so much was going wrong for them.

Ruddock was immense he put everything into that game it was brilliant. Maloney and Byrne were also brilliant and gave excellent performances for their last games. I thought Ala’alatoa was unlucky for his card, yes he was high and he did hit Blades head, I’m not sure he hit it as hard as Blades reaction but that’s my bias(probably?). You could see though he wanted to out in a good shift.

Anyone doubting Leinster’s strength in depth can see in this game why it’s often quoted as being brilliant, no other club could make 14 changes and have a performance as strong as that. Keeping so many players involved and happy at the club is mind blowingly difficult, yet Leo does it year after year.

There was lots of things to like about that game even though 4 of the stalwarts are moving on & one of our backline was pretty jittery it was a pretty excellent performance from the other 19.

Chris McDonnell

Great performance from lots of the lads. Showed how awful last week’s selection was. Jenkins ahead of Molony, no Jimmy o brien , frawley just a lovely attacking player.foley I’d just miles better than mcgrath. Anyways hopefully ruddock and Molony gets to play again for us.

Cuan Mulligan

Felt Sam P had a great game, offered more options than other 10s in the squad. Was integral to a few of the tries; tried things, mixed it up. Should be where we invest and give him as much game time as possible. Might need some extra protein over the summer to bulk up

William Andrew

It was a good indicator of how valuable players like Ross, Max Ed and Ruddock are to Leinster. They provide the steel through a season.

Form was also on display, in some of the younger players


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URC WRAP

ROUND 18 [final round]

LEINSTER 33-7 CONNACHT

GLASGOW 38-26 ZEBRE

STORMERS 29-24 LIONS

BENETTON 31-6 EDINBURGH

SCARLETS 32-15 DRAGONS

SHARKS 14-26 BULLS

MUNSTER 29-24 ULSTER

CARDIFF 29-33 OSPREYS



QUARTERFINALS

FRI JUNE 7

MUNSTER V OSPREYS

SAT JUNE 8

BULLS V BENETTON

LEINSTER V ULSTER

GLASGOW WARRIORS V STORMERS



351 : Leinster v Connacht Preview

also available as podcast

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN


LEINSTER : 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Jamie Osborne 12. Ciarán Frawley 11. Rob Russell 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Cormac Foley

1. Ed Byrne 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Ross Molony 5. Brian Deeny 6. Rhys Ruddock 7. Scott Penny (c) 8. Jack Conan

16. Dan Sheehan 17. Michael Milne 18. Michael Ala’alatoa 19. Ryan Baird 20. Max Deegan 21. Luke McGrath 22. Harry Byrne 23. Charlie Ngatai 


CONNACHT : 15. Santiago Cordero 14. Shane Jennings 13. David Hawkshaw 12. Cathal Forde 11. Shane Mallon 10. Jack Carty 9. Caolin Blade

1. Peter Dooley 2. Dave Heffernan 3. Finlay Bealham 4. Joe Joyce 5. Niall Murray 6. Cian Prendergast 7. Conor Oliver 8. Sean Jansen

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin 17. Denis Buckley 18. Jack Aungier 19. Darragh Murray 20. Seán O’Brien 21. Colm Reilly 22. Byron Ralston 23. Tom Daly 


BKT United Rugby Championship 2023/24 Round 18

Friday, May 31, 2024

KO 7:35pm RDS Arena

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, URC.tv


Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)

AR1: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

AR2: Jonathan Erskine (Ireland)

TMO: Colin Stanley (Ireland)