On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Ireland second row James Ryan to discuss the huge win over the All Blacks as well as his phenomenal year.

Ryan played a big role in the victory over the back-to-back world champions, and he reflects on the superb achievement after what has been a memorable year for the Irish team. Ryan looks back on his sharp rise in 2018 that saw him win the PRO 14, Champions Cup and Grand Slam, and also talks about the serious hamstring injury he suffered in 2016 that ruled him out for almost an entire year.

The talented 22-year-old opens up on areas of his game he wants to work on as well as his experience being coached by Joe Schmidt.

Luke also looks back on Ireland's win over the All Blacks - including his prediction that Ireland would lose by 15 points!

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On this week's epsiode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Wasps and former Leinster out-half Jimmy Gopperth to preview Ireland's blockbuster clash with New Zealand.

It's world number two hosting world number one at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and Gopperth cannot wait to watch the action unfold. He says that Ireland have to hold onto the ball for long periods and frustrate the All Balcks if they want to come out on the right side of the result.

Gopperth also thinks that Joe Schmidt should be given the chance to succeed Steve Hansen as All Blacks head coach after the 2019 World Cup.

Fitzgerald thinks that it could be a tough day for Ireland, as is predicting that the visitors will win by at least two tries.

Luke also looks back on his clashes against the All Blacks as a player, including the heartbreaking 22-20 defeat in 2013.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Leinster and Ireland prop Cian Healy to discuss the November internationals and his career to date.

Healy is a key part of Joe Schmidt's Ireland team who have big matches against Argentina and New Zealand this month, and the powerful prop says that the games are crucial to achieve his goal of the team getting to number one in the world.

Healy also discusses his early days at Leinster when he broke into the team as a 21-year-old and the early growing pains he had as a prop.

There were also some tough injury-hit years where Healy suffered from nerve damage and he explains to the lads just how tough it was to return to his top form.

Healy's knife-making hobby, the art of scrummaging and the 2019 World Cup are also up for discussion in the in-depth chat.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined Irish Independent rugby correspondent Ruaidhri O'Connor to preview the November internationals.

Ireland face Italy, Argentina, New Zealand and USA in an action-packed four-match schedule and the lads break down the various selection headaches Joe Schmidt has as he attempts to select his best team from a very strong squad.

Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose are fighting for two starting spots in the centre and Luke thinks that Ringrose is the one player of the three who is nailed on. At hooker, 36-year-old Rory Best is expected to start against the All Blacks but Luke says that Niall Scannell and Sean Cronin should both be ahead of him.

There's also the small matter of Joe Schmidt deciding his Ireland future - should Schmidt extend his stay for another four years or will his tenure reach its natural conclusion after the World Cup?

England's struggles under Eddie Jones, Ireland's deep back row and the Conor Murray conspiracy theories are also up for discussion.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Leinster duo James Tracy and Rory O'Loughlin to discuss their careers to date.

The lads start off by recapping Leinster's narrow defeat in Toulouse, a game that James and Rory were in the squad for. Rory chats about the hair-raising atmosphere in France while James gives an insight into the painstaking post-match review sessions that Leinster conduct after each game.

The guys also delve into the tough journey they had to make the breakthrough at Leinster, with James not playing for a full year under Matt O'Connor while Rory was uncertain about his professional future as he entered the final year of his academy contract.

The lads also give an insight into working under Stuart Lancaster, Leo Cullen and Joe Schmidt as they outline the differences between training with Leinster and Ireland.

James' switch from prop to hooker and Rory's eye-opening experience on the wing early on in his Leinster career are also up for discussion.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Cian Tracey of the Irish Independent to discuss the first weekend of Champions Cup action.

Leinster dished out a serious statement of intent against Wasps, winning 52-3 and the lads delve into how the reigning champions have got even better this season. Luke talks about the performance of Luke McGrath and how he has improved his overall game while Will and Cian chat about how James Ryan has already emerged as leader in the team.

Munster also got a great result, drawing away to Exeter and although Luke thinks they have room to improve in attack, he says they are set for a big performance against Gloucester.

Ulster also had a big win at home to Leicester, and Cian thinks that new man Will Addison could be included in Ireland's squad in November after another stellar display.

The lads also discuss the fall of Leicester and Toulon, Maro Itoje's taunting, Luke's comments on Danny Cipriani and Will unveils his European power rankings.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Irish Independent rugby correspondents Ruaidhri O'Connor and Cian Tracey to preview this season's Champions Cup.

Holders Leinster get the tournament underway on Friday night against Wasps and the lads think that Leo Cullen's men will be tough to beat in this year's competition. Leinster have a tricky trip to Toulouse coming up next weekend and Cian Tracey thinks that the away encounter will be the champions' biggest test in the pool stage.

For Munster, they start their campaign with a very difficult game away to Exeter. Luke Fitzgerald fears for them at Sandy Park and thinks that Exeter could leave Thomond Park with a win later in the campaign too.

Ulster have been landed in a tough pool with Racing 92, Scarlets and Leicester and none of the panel think that they will make it out of the group.

Simon Zebo's scintillating form in Paris and his international prospects are discussed, as is Danny Cipriani's up and down career as well as the biggest challengers to Leinster in this year's tournament.

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On this week’s episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by James Lowe to talk about his time at Leinster and his career to date.

Lowe’s all-action style has won him plenty of plaudits since moving to Ireland, and he discusses his unique playing style and how he developed it.

He also chats about his time with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, the difference between northern and Southern Hemisphere rugby and his experience training with the All Blacks.

Lowe also reveals his tough family circumstances and how he is determined to help out at home through his rugby career.

The lads also ask Lowe about his international rugby aspirations, with Lowe qualifying for Ireland in 2019.

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On this week’s episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Irish Independent rugby correspondent Cian Tracey to discuss the start of the season.
Munster have had a bumpy ride with new out-half Joey Carbery but Luke is confident that the talented ten will come good soon.
The lads also debate player privacy regarding injuries after the recent case of Conor Murray declining to disclose the reason behind his absence.
There have been new tackle laws introduced that season that have proved very controversial - are they a good thing for the game?
Leinster’s strong start, unbeaten Ulster and the feelgood factor in Connacht are all up for discussion too.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined in studio by Leinster out-half Ross Byrne to discuss his career to date.

Byrne has made over 45 appearances for Leinster since 2016 and has become a key man in a team that won the PRO14 and Champions Cup last season. Byrne opens up on his development from a rookie who came on against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens to an out-half who regularly starts big games for Leinster.

Byrne travelled to Australia as part of the Ireland squad last summer and he opens up on the eye-opening experience of stepping up to train with Joe Schmidt's squad. The 23-year-old also discusses the different elements of playing out-half as well as playing with his younger brother Harry, another out-half who is in the Leinster academy.

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