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

#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.

#51: Leinster vs Bordeaux - Investec Champions Cup Final Review

Bordeaux blew Leinster away 41-19 in Bilbao and completed a French hat-trick of European titles. The fifth star stays out of reach for another year. A blistering first half in the Spanish sun proved too much for Leinster, with the heat and the intensity of the reigning champions combining to unravel them in the worst possible way. A brutal end to the season, but one that demands honest reflection on what comes next. * 🏆 Investec Champions Cup Results; The final scoreline from Bilbao and what Bordeaux's second successive title means for the European landscape * 🗣️ Overall Opinion and Match Analysis; Where it went wrong, the Penaud and Bielle-Biarrey show that caused havoc, and whether this Leinster squad has another final run in them * 💬 Discussion Point: Cullen, Nienaber and Bleyendaal's Future; All three are contracted until the end of the 2026/27 season, but after five consecutive final defeats, what does next season look like and is there a path back to the top?