On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey and Ross Karl from Sky New Zealand to discuss an eventful week for the Ireland team. Cian joins the show from Auckland after returning from Ireland's heavy defeat to the New Zealand Maori. Both Cian and Luke are disappointed that more youngsters didn't raise their hand for test-match selection, while they are in agreement that the circumstances around Jeremy Loughman's HIA didn't look good for the sport. The lads discuss Ireland's injury issues ahead of the first test before Ross joined the show to give the view from New Zealand, where he says pressure is coming on the All Blacks to deliver a vintage performance. 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/

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Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look ahead to Ireland's tour of New Zealand with the Irish Independent’s Cian Tracey on this week’s Left Wing podcast. Three tests against the All Blacks and two games against the New Zealand Maori are on the schedule in what promises to be a riveting few weeks. Can Ireland win a game on New Zealand soil for the first time ever? The lads are in agreement that it is far from a vintage All Blacks team but there are still areas of concern for Ireland. Cian and Luke think a test win is possible, but that the home team should be too strong overall. 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/

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to discuss Andy Farrell's Ireland squad and the URC semi-finals. The Ireland head coach has selected 40 players to travel to New Zealand for what is set to be an exciting and challenging five-match tour - the lads discuss the players who were unlucky to miss out, lucky to be picked and all the other squad talking points. The chat then moves on to the URC semi-finals, with both Leinster and Ulster beaten by South Africans sides. Were Leinster overconfident? Do Ulster need more tight five reinforcements? There is plenty of food for thought as the Irish provinces end the season empty handed. 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/

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look back at Ulster's win over Munster and are joined by AP Cronje to look ahead to the URC semi-finals. It is the end of the Johann van Graan era at Thomond Park - but how should we judge the South African's time at Munster? Luke isn't convinced that he achieved a whole lot during his five seasons in charge and thinks that Graham Rowntree is well placed to shake things up in Limerick. Luke was also very impressed with Ulster's win over Munster and thinks they can upset the Stormers in South Africa in the semi-final. AP joins the lads to give the low down on how the Bulls and Stormers are shaping up for the final four, while he also gives an insight into the challenges in travelling down to South Africa on short notice to play. 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/

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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 final. Why did Leinster lose to La Rochelle? Poor execution, a top-class performance from the French side and a weak bench impact are some of the reasons put forward by the lads. While Leinster will have to wait another 12 months to end their Champions Cup drought, it was a coaching masterclass from Ronan O'Gara as he won a third Champions Cup medal after claiming two as a player. The lads also discuss O'Gara's achievement, Leinster's decision to kick multiple penalties and whether the latest defeat will leave lasting scars. 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/

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald look ahead to the Champions Cup final. It is Leinster vs La Rochelle and Johnny Sexton vs Ronan O'Gara as Marseille hosts the European decider this weekend. Will asks Luke what it's like to prepare for a Champions Cup final and how it differs from other big games, while Luke also compares how Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt prepared Leinster for final appearances. The lads discuss the areas where La Rochelle might target Leinster, as well as where the eastern province can hurt the French side. Can Leinster add a fifth star to their jersey? Luke thinks they are strong enough to get the job done. 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/

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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 semi-final weekend. Leinster are into the final for the first time since 2019 after a very impressive demolition of Toulouse - and Ronan O'Gara is waiting for them after his La Rochelle side saw off Racing 92. Luke was extremely impressed with the pace that Leinster played at and explains the difficulties that it causes for a defence. Cian urges a note of caution around the scrum, after Leinster conceded nine penalties over the quarter-final and semi-final. Ronan O'Gara's achievements at La Rochelle, James Lowe's run of form and the disappointing all-French semi-final 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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.