On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by South African rugby journalist AP Cronje to discuss the resurgence of the South African teams in the URC.

The Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Sharks are a combined 18-2 at home against the rest of the competition, which is a complete turnaround to how they started the competition away from home.

AP gives the lads the lowdown on the four South African franchises and says that enthusiasm is building for the tournament among the fans down there.

The Springboks potentially joining the Six Nations, Leinster's defeat to the Sharks and Munster's win over Ulster are all up for discussion too.

Don’t forget to listen to the Left Wing Extra on Thursday when Sinéad Kissane previews Ireland’s final game in the Women’s Six Nations at home to Scotland with Cliodhna Moloney and Cian Tracey.

Listen and follow the Left Wing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.

For more, visit:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

The Left Wing

The South African surge, URC on the up and the refereeing problem

After the heavy defeat to England, is this now a moment of reckoning for Ireland’s women’s rugby team with professional contracts set to be the next phase in the XV game’s development here?

Wasps hooker, Cliodhna Moloney, and Cian Tracey join Sinéad Kissane to discuss the fall-out from last week’s loss as well as looking ahead to Ireland’s final Women’s Six Nations game against Scotland when the team has an opportunity to leave their mark on the tournament.

For more rugby discussion and analysis, don’t forget to join Will and Luke on the Left Wing next Wednesday.

Listen and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.

For more, visit:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

In the wake of the England rout, has a reckoning finally come for the Irish women's rugby team?

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look ahead to the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

It is set to be a bumper weekend, with Munster and Leinster playing back to back on Saturday afternoon.

Munster host holders Toulouse in what promises to be a cracker at the Aviva Stadium, and while Cian thinks the French side will be too strong, Luke has an inkling that Munster could produce an upset.

We then have a clash of the two most in-form teams in Europe. English table-toppers Leicester host Leinster, who have a commanding lead in the URC. 

While it won't be easy for Leo Cullen's side, the lads are in agreement that they should have enough to advance to the semi-final stage.

Listen and follow the Left Wing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.

For more, visit:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Champions Cup quarter-final preview - Leinster and Munster facing tough European tests

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to look back on the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Leinster booked their place in the semi-final after a dominant win against Leicester in Welford Road, and the lads are in agreement that they are well primed to take on Toulouse in Saturday's semi-final.

The French giants outlasted Munster in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Aviva Stadium, and Luke thinks that Munster's defence let them down.

Munster's game management, Leinster's semi-final selection and Toulouse's ability to make something out of nothing are all up for discussion too.

Listen and follow the Left Wing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.

For more, visit:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Clinical Leinster, Munster's near miss and can Toulouse break Irish hearts again?

With new shows every Wednesday, former Lions and Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald joins Will Slattery to dissect the Irish provinces and Irish team performances.

Join Luke, Will and the biggest names in rugby each week for the best rugby analysis and exclusive interviews.

The Left Wing

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