The Leinster Listen

#56: Year in Review - Rugby Special

Episode 56 is a different kind of show — a year in review across Leinster, the URC, the Investec Champions Cup, Irish rugby, and the wider game. Three sections, headline-style — I'm talking through it naturally, not reading a script. 🏉 Leinster news — From the Cape Town shutout to Bordeaux heartbreak, the Lions demolition, the Stormers semi, Nienaber's press conference, and a big academy year. 👩‍🦰 Women's rugby — Celtic Challenge playoffs, Wolfhounds three-in-a-row, both Women's Six Nations campaigns, and Aoife Dalton's form. 🌍 Wildcard — Robertson sacked, shock Six Nations results, doping scandals, Moana Pasifika folding, and the Ospreys lie detector row.

#55: Leinster (H) vs DHL Stormers - URC Semi Final Review

We did it! I'm back for Episode 55, and Leinster are through to the BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final after a hard-fought 20-11 win over the DHL Stormers at the Aviva Stadium. It wasn't pretty at times — but when the stakes were highest, the boys in blue found a way. Here is what I'm hitting on this week's episode: 🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship match results; My run-through of both semi-finals this weekend — Glasgow Warriors vs the Bulls in Edinburgh, and our tense Dublin showdown with the Stormers. 🔥 Overall opinion of the game; Why this felt like the story of our season in microcosm — strong start, Stormers fightback, indiscipline deciding it, and Jamison Gibson-Park delivering when it mattered most. 📋 Analysis of the game events; Rieko Ioane's early try, Sam Prendergast's boot, Adré Smith's Stormers response, Ruan Ackermann's red card, Salmaan Moerat's yellow, and Gibson-Park's late seal-the-deal score. 🗺️ BKT United Rugby Championship positioning after this weekend; Leinster vs the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday 19 June — a repeat of last year's final and a shot at back-to-back titles on home soil.

#54: Leinster (H) vs DHL Stormers - URC Semi Final Preview

I'm back for Episode 54, and this week it's all systems go as we preview the massive BKT United Rugby Championship semi-final against the DHL Stormers at the Aviva Stadium. After that statement 59-10 quarter-final win over the Lions, Leo Cullen has named a seriously strong XV — but the Cape Town side arrive in Dublin with serious pedigree, a head-to-head edge in the competition, and a 35-0 memory we'd rather forget. Here is what I'm hitting on this week's episode: 🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship game predictions; My picks for both semi-finals this weekend — Glasgow Warriors vs the Bulls in Edinburgh, and our clash with the Stormers in Dublin. 🏟️ Details of our game; Kick-off, weather, where to watch, and why Hollie Davidson in the middle is a fascinating storyline given her perfect record with Leinster so far. 📋 Team lineups; A full run-through of Cullen's confirmed matchday 23 — Kelleher, van der Flier and Gibson-Park in, Sheehan out — plus why the Stormers sheet wasn't released and who to keep an eye on from their injury-hit squad. 🎯 Score and MOTM Prediction; The bookies' 1/10 and -14 handicap, our recent form, their missing stars, my scoreline call, and who I've gone for as man of the match. 🇮🇪 Discussion Point; URC Semi-Final: Can Leinster banish the Cape Town ghost? — digging into that opening-night shutout, the Aviva revenge, and the stakes of a winner-takes-all semi-final.

#53: Leinster (H) vs Fidelity SecureDrive Lions - URC Quarter Final Review

What a response! I’m back behind the mic for Episode 53, and the healing process from Bilbao has officially begun. We absolute clicked at the Aviva Stadium, bouncing back in spectacular style to put a staggering 59 points past a dangerous Fidelity SecureDrive Lions side to march right into the final four. Here is what I'm hitting on this week's episode: * 🏆 URC Quarter-Final Match Results; My run-through of a high-scoring knockout weekend across the league as the big hitters laid down their markers. * 🔥 Overall opinion of the game; Why this was the flawless, clinical tonic we desperately needed to shake off the European hangover and prove our domestic intent. * 📋 Analysis of the game events; I break down Sam Prendergast steering the ship, our relentless defensive line-speed, and how we clinically blew the floodgates wide open. * 🗺️ URC Semi-Final fixtures after this weekend; Mapping out the road to the trophy as we prepare to welcome our old rivals, the DHL Stormers, back to Dublin next Saturday. * 🇮🇪 Discussion Point; Lowe and Behold; Paying ultimate homage to James Lowe on his milestone 100th appearance as he bags a brilliant brace to officially become Leinster’s all-time top try-scorer.

#52: Leinster (H) vs Fidelity Securedrive Lions - URC Quarter Final Preview

The United Rugby Championship playoffs are here! I’m back behind the mic for Episode 52, breaking down a crucial knockout clash at the Aviva Stadium as we look to dust ourselves off and launch a massive charge for domestic silverware against a dangerous Lions side. Here is what I'm hitting on this week's episode: * 🏆 URC game predictions; My comprehensive forecasts and winner picks for all four high-stakes quarter-final clashes across the league. * 🏟️ Details of our game; I map out the kickoff times, the Dublin weather forecast, and referee notes for Saturday night's Aviva showdown. * 📋 Team lineups; I dissect the matchday 23s, including our key rotations and a massive 100th cap milestone for James Lowe. * 🎯 Score and MOTM Prediction; I put my neck on the line with my final scoreline verdict and name my standout player to watch on playoff night.