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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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald is joined by Ireland and Connacht second row Ultan Dillane to discuss his journey from Tralee RFC to international rugby.

Dillane moved from Paris to Kerry at the age of seven and after a spell in the Munster underage set-up he ended up accepting a Connacht academy contract.

He explains his unusual journey to the top as well as his breakout year in 2016 when he made his international debut against England at Twickenham.

Dillane is targeting a return to the Ireland set-up after a tough 2018 and he talks about his hopes for the new season under Connacht head coach Andy Friend.

Also, Luke and Will discuss the weekend's PRO14 action as well as Leicester's decision to sack Matt O'Connor after just one match.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Ulster scrum-half John Cooney to discuss his breakout season last year as well as his hopes for the upcoming campaign.

Cooney made the move from Connacht to Ulster in 2017 and won the club's Player of the Season. He explains why he originally decided to leave Leinster in 2014 and how he motivates himself with memories of the times in his career when he wasn't getting much game time.

Ulster have made a fresh start this season with new head coach Dan McFarland and Cooney gives an insight into the new regime up north as well as what it's like working with backs coach Dwayne Peel and defence coach Jared Payne. Cooney also earned a recall to the Ireland squad last summer for the tour of Australia, and he says that he is hoping to play a part in Joe Schmidt's squad in what is a World Cup year.

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The Left Wing is back as Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald kick off another season with Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi.
Felipe explains what drew him to coaching and why he decided to pursue a full time role instead of returning to his work as a doctor. He also discusses the areas he will focus on as Leinster backs coach as well as the transformation the club has gone on since he first joined back in 2003.
Contepomi also enjoyed many battles against Munster during his time in blue, and he reveals that rather than hating Munster, he actually admired them.
Will and Luke also look ahead to the new season as they welcome back listeners for another great season of rugby chat.

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On the last Left Wing of the season, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Bristol out-half Ian Madigan to recap Ireland's series win over Australia and much more.

Madigan has already done his firs t block of pre-season training with Bristol and is relishing a crack at the Aviva Premiership this year. He tells the lads how the team is getting on, the new signings he is excited about and the impact John Muldoon has made already as the defence coach.

Madigan also delves into the intricacies of playing at number ten, as well as some of the common misconceptions that some fans and commentators have about the position.

The lads also discuss their highlights from Ireland's historic win in Australia, as well as making the case that Johnny Sexton should be given the World Player of the Year award.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Leinster and Ireland wing Fergus McFadden to discuss a historic season for Irish rugby.

McFadden was part of a Leinster side that won a fourth European Cup, and he looks back on a memorable personal campaign that saw him return to top form.

The veteran back also played a part in Ireland's Grand Slam triumph, and McFadden also discusses the impact Stuart Lancaster has made at Leinster as well Leo Cullen's development in the role of head coach.

Luke and Will also look back at Ireland's win over Australia in the second test of their summer tour, as Luke predicts a Wallabies win in Saturday's decisive third test.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Irish Independent rugby correspondent Cian Tracey to discuss the opening weekend of the summer tests.

Ireland came up short against Australia in Brisbane, and the lads break down where Joe Schmidt's men went wrong. Luke thinks that Schmidt has to make a number of changes for the second test - but still expects Australia to sneak it.

The lads discuss the possible new faces in the team for Saturday, as well as the threats Ireland have to look out for. Luke thinks that Sean Cronin should be Ireland's starting hooker, and can't understand why Joe Schmidt doesn't regularly pick him in his team.

There was also plenty of controversy after the All Blacks vs France game, after Sam Cane and Ofa Tu'ungafasi escaped a citing for their dangerous double hit on Remy Grosso that left the French wing with a fractured skull.

Do the All Blacks get preferential treatment from referees?

England's latest loss is also discussed as well as the Springboks' early resurgence under Rassie Erasmus.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Simon Zebo to discuss his imminent move to Paris to play for Racing 92.

Simon explains why he decided to leave Munster and make the move to the Top 14, and how much he is looking forward to playing with one of Europe's best teams.

Despite being dropped by Joe Schmidt after the move was announced, Zebo is still holding out hope of making the World Cup squad, although he hasn't spoken to the Ireland head coach since his departure was confirmed.

Zebo also reflects on his time at Munster and reveals the big regret he has after leaving the province.

Luke and Will also discuss Joey Carbery's move to Munster, and Luke thinks that it may work out differently to how Irish rugby want it to.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Leinster legend Isa Nacewa to reflect on his remarkable career.

After achieving a Champions Cup/PRO 14 double in his last season as a rugby player, Nacewa reveals his plans for the future as he prepares to return home to New Zealand. Fitzgerald discusses the qualities that made the Kiwi so indispensable to Leinster while Nacewa looks back on how Michael Cheika flew to New Zealand to convince him to move to the northern hemisphere.

Luke and Isa look back on the Leinster vs Munster rivalry that was such a big part of their careers, and Nacewa explains the differences in playing Super Rugby and in the Champions Cup.

Nacewa also gives his view on Ireland's chances at the World Cup, and says that Joe Schmidt's men should be targeting a win.

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On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Munster and Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray to discuss his eventful season and his career to date.

Murray talks about breaking into the Ireland team unexpectedly at just 22, and how he was able to rise up the levels while taking things in his stride. The number nine has formed a formidable partnership with Johnny Sexton and he gives an interesting insight into their on-pitch relationship and how it works so well.

He also discusses the possibility of moving abroad in the future, and the tough process of Rassie Erasmus leaving Munster midway during the season.

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