The Leinster Listen

We got there, but only just. Leinster were the better side for large stretches of a gripping semi-final at the Aviva, building a 29-11 lead before Toulon came roaring back to make it a nerve-shredding finish. Job done, Bilbao booked, but there will be plenty to fix before the biggest day of the season.🏆 Investec Champions Cup Semi-Final Results; Leinster through 29-25, and Bordeaux Begles beat Bath 38-26 to set up the final showdown in Bilbao on May 23🗣️ Overall Opinion of the Game; A dominant display that nearly unravelled, two yellow cards, a Henshaw injury scare, and nerves right to the final whistle🔍 Analysis of the Game Events; Tries from Conan, Van der Flier, Ringrose and Doris, the sin bin chaos that let Toulon back in, and how Leinster held on💬 Discussion Point: How to Beat Bordeaux; Their halfbacks Lucu and Jalibert and wing Bielle-Biarrey who scored one of five tries against Bath are the dangermen. What does Leinster need to do on May 23?

Leinster had it all sewn up and let it slip. A dominant first half gave every indication of a comfortable away win, but the second half told a completely different story as Benetton grew into the game and nicked it with a penalty in the dying moments. A result that stings, and one that will have serious implications for Leinster's push for the top two.🌍 URC Weekend Roundup; The results from across the league and what they mean for the table📊 Table Positioning and Predicted Final 8; Where Leinster sit after a damaging defeat in Treviso and how the top eight is shaping up📋 Key Match Events; The first half dominance, the second half collapse and the penalty that broke Leinster hearts in the red📅 Next Game Details; What is coming up for Leinster

Leinster head to Treviso looking to keep the pressure on at the top of the table, with the top two still very much in their sights. Leinster sit third, level with the Stormers on 51 points and four behind Glasgow, so a bonus point win in the Italian sunshine is the target. Benetton are in 13th place and have only won once in their last seven URC matches, but Leinster have a poor away record outside Ireland this season and these points are crucial for us.🔮 URC Game Predictions; How the weekend could unfold across the league including a top of the table clash in Cape Town📍 Details of Our Game; Form, venue context and what a bonus point win in Treviso means for Leinster's top two push📝 Team Lineups; The players in Blue and Green detailed🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; My predicted result call and standout performerPwTd1i0vLHdct6J3yUfs

Job done, but it took a while to get going. Leinster were flat in the first half, giving Sale just enough hope to hang around, before turning on the afterburners after the break and putting the Sharks to the sword in ruthless fashion. The Aviva crowd got their European night in the end, and Leinster are into the last four.🏆 Champions Cup Quarter-Final Results; How the other ties played out and who is through to the semis🗺️ Semi-Final Picture; The matchups and what stands between Leinster and a Champions Cup final🗣️ Overall Opinion of the Game; A flat first half, a dominant second and what it tells us about this Leinster side📋 Recap of the Game Events; The tries, the turning points and the moment Leinster flicked the switch

European knockout rugby is back at the Aviva. Leinster host Sale Sharks in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening, unbeaten in Europe all season and with a home crowd behind them. Sale arrive as proper underdogs with a front row crisis, but they have nothing to lose and Alex Sanderson's side are not coming to Dublin to make up the numbers. One slip in discipline and this could get uncomfortable.🔮 Investec Champions Cup Quarter-Final Predictions; How the other quarter-finals could unfold across the weekend📍 Details of Our Game; Form, European pedigree, and what Sale bring to the Aviva📝 Team Lineups; Dan Sheehan captains with Ringrose and Ryan back, Usanov in for his first European start, and Sale forced into a makeshift front row🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our result call and standout performer🏟️ Discussion Point: Women's Six Nations; The standout stories and performances from this year's championship

Back to the blue, and what a rollercoaster it was. After the Easter Sunday fireworks at the Aviva, Leinster have secured their spot in the final eight, but not without a serious scare from a resilient Edinburgh side. It was a game that had everything: tries, a shock lead for the visitors in the second half, and a clinical late surge led by our All Blacks recruit. While the 49–31 scoreline looks comfortable, the "generosity" shown in the first half will have Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber working overtime before the Sharks arrive in town.🔮 Investec Champions Cup Match Results; A look at a weekend where every home side progressed, but the Stormers and Bulls came agonizingly close to historic upsets.🏟️ QF Breakdown and Predictions; Analyzing our upcoming clash with Sale Sharks and predicting the outcome of the blockbuster French derby between Bordeaux and Toulouse.📍 Overall Opinion of the Game; Why this was the ultimate "game of two halves" from early dominance and defensive lapses to the composed championship finish that defines this squad.📝 Analysis of Game Events; Breaking down the try thriller: Tommy O’Brien’s lightning start, the Darcy Graham magic that put Edinburgh ahead, and Rieko Ioane’s statement performance in the final quarter.

Back to the heavy-duty stuff. After the Six Nations dust settles, the focus shifts from green back to blue as Leinster return to the Aviva this Easter Sunday. It’s a massive Round of 16 clash against an Edinburgh side that always travels with a point to prove. The road to Bilbao starts now.🔮 ICC Knockout Predictions; How the Round of 16 bracket could shake out and which heavyweights are on upset alert across the weekend📍 Details of Our Game; Form, the Easter Sunday Aviva factor, and why Leinster’s set-piece dominance is the key to silencing the traveling Edinburgh support📝 Team Lineups; Selections from Leo Cullen with 4 changes, the impact of the returning internationals, and who gets the nod in that ultra-competitive back row🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our final result call and the player we think will define this knockout encounter🏟️ Discussion Point: Scotstoun Semi-Final; A look back at our recent trip to Scotstoun. A tough 38–17 defeat and the tactical shifts required if we find ourselves heading back there to face Glasgow Warriors in a high-stakes ICC semi-final.

Leinster needed a response after Glasgow and they got one in style. A dominant display at the Aviva put the Scarlets to the sword, with an individual masterclass lighting up the night and reminding everyone what this squad is capable of when they're firing on all cylinders. Back to winning ways and back in business.🌍 URC Weekend Roundup; The results from across the league and what they mean for the table🔍 Detailed Analysis of the Game; Breaking down a dominant Leinster performance and the individual brilliance that stood out📋 Key Match Events; The tries, the moments and the talking points from the Aviva📅 Upcoming Game; What's next for Leinster and what to look out for

Back to Province business. After the Six Nations dust settles, Leinster return to the Aviva on Friday night with something to prove after a chastening defeat up in Glasgow. The Scarlets arrive in 14th place and fighting for their season, but wounded Leinster sides can be dangerous, and with Porter back and the top two still very much in their sights, there's plenty riding on this one.🔮 URC Game Predictions; How the weekend could unfold across the league📍 Details of Our Game; Form, venue context, and what a win means for Leinster's top two ambitions at the Aviva📝 Team Lineups; Selection calls, notable inclusions and the return of Andrew Porter from a calf injury🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our result call and standout performer🏟️ Discussion Point: Our Next URC Games; A look ahead at Leinster's remaining fixtures and what the run-in could mean for their league position

Glasgow meant business. On home turf at Scotstoun, the URC league leaders put in a performance that justified every bit of their standing at the top of the table, and Leinster simply had no answer on the day. A chastening result, but an important reality check as the business end of the season approaches.🌍 URC Weekend Roundup; The results from across the league and what they mean for the table🗣️ Overall Opinion of the Game; First impressions and honest takes on a difficult afternoon in Glasgow🔍 Analysis of the Game Events; Breaking down where Glasgow caused the problems and where Leinster came up shortA note here that I accidentally recorded this with the wrong microphone and it ended up a much poorer quality. Apologies there folks. Wont make that mistake again

Six Nations done, but there's no rest for the wicked. Leinster head to Scotstoun this Saturday to face the URC's current league leaders, Glasgow Warriors, in what is shaping up to be a genuine top of the table clash. With Six Nations players returning and fresh faces earning their shot, Leo's panel looks as deep as ever. Glasgow will be full of confidence on home turf though, and this is exactly the kind of fixture that defines title credentials.🔮 URC Game Predictions; How the weekend could unfold across the league📍 Details of Our Game; Form, venue context, and what's at stake at Scotstoun📝 Team Lineups; Hugo Keenan returns for his first appearance of the season, Scott Penny on the verge of his 100th cap, and Alex Usanov set for his first Leinster start🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our result call and standout performer🏟️ Discussion Point: Six Nations Best Players; One standout player per nation from this year's championship

Ireland delivered when it mattered most, a six-try bonus-point performance that wrapped up the Triple Crown in style. Scotland came to Dublin with genuine title ambitions of their own, but Farrell's side blew the doors off in a breathless Super Saturday classic. France may have had the last word in Paris, but this was a day to savour in green.🗣️ Overall Opinion of the Game; First impressions and honest takes on a dominant Irish performance with a few wobbles thrown in🔍 Analysis of the Game Events; Breaking down a rollercoaster 43-21 win, the blistering opening, the Scottish fightback, and Tommy O'Brien's perfect full-stop📊 Six Nations Final Positioning; France champions, Ireland Triple Crown winners, and where everyone else landed after a dramatic final weekend💬 Discussion Point: Well Blooded 35; Farrell used 35 players across this Six Nations, what it tells us about Ireland's depth, the deliberate selection strategy, and what it means heading toward the Rugby World Cup

Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva in a Super Saturday Triple Crown shootout, with the Six Nations title itself still dangling in the balance depending on what unfolds in Paris later that evening. Scotland arrive in Dublin in the form of their lives, fresh from stunning France at Murrayfield, but Farrell's men haven't lost to Scotland on home soil since 2010 and they'll be desperate to keep it that way.🔮 Six Nations Game Predictions; How the final weekend of the championship could unfold across all three matches📍 Details of Our Game; Form, Triple Crown stakes, and the title permutations at play📝 Team Lineups; Farrell's four changes and a Scotland side hit by lock injuries heading into Dublin🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our result call and standout performer🏟️ Discussion Point: Super Saturday; What makes this the most exciting final day in years and what needs to happen for Ireland to be champions?

Ireland ground out a close win over Wales at the Aviva, but it wasn't the commanding display many had hoped for. With an individual masterclass stealing the headlines, there's plenty to unpick from a game that raised as many questions as it answered. And with Italy pulling off a stunning result against England, the Six Nations table is looking far more interesting than expected.🗣️ Overall Opinion of the Game; First impressions and honest takes on a hard-fought Irish win🔍 Analysis of the Game Events; Breaking down the key moments, the individual brilliance, and what it means📊 Six Nations Positioning; How the table shapes up after a dramatic weekend across the championship💬 Discussion: Historic Italian Win; Unpacking one of the upsets of the tournament so far

Ireland head into the weekend as heavy favourites against a Wales side that has struggled throughout this year's championship. With the home crowd behind them at the Aviva, this is a fixture Ireland will be expected to win but can they deliver the kind of commanding performance that keeps their title hopes firmly on track?🔮 Six Nations Game Predictions; How the full championship weekend could unfold📍 Details of Our Game; Form, venue context, and key matchups as Ireland host Wales📝 Team Lineups; Selection calls and notable inclusions from both camps🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our result call and standout performer🏟️ Discussion Point: Quick Fire Rugby News; The stories making headlines this week

Leinster head to Cardiff riding an 11-game winning streak, but away fixtures in the URC are rarely straightforward, especially during 6N rest weeks. Can the run continue on Welsh soil, or is this the kind of test that disrupts momentum at exactly the wrong time?🔮 URC Game Predictions; How the weekend could unfold across the league📍 Details of Our Game; Form, venue context, and key matchups📝 Team Lineups; Selection calls and notable inclusions🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our result call and standout performer🏟️ Discussion Point: Laya Arena Hype; Whats the main excitement?

A full breakdown of England vs Ireland, analysing where momentum swung, how the tactical battle unfolded, and what the result means for the championship run-in. A win at Twickenham detailed inside!🔍 Match Analysis; Where the contest was controlled and where it shifted⏱️ Key Match Events; The defining moments across the 80 minutes🟦 Leinster Player Reviews; Individual performances in green📊 Six Nations Table Overview; The updated championship picture🗣️ Discussion Point: Super Rugby Rule Experiments; Innovation or unnecessary tinkering?

A full preview of Ireland’s Six Nations showdown with England in Twickenham, breaking down the matchup, the tactical battles, and what Ireland must get right to come out on top.🔮 Six Nations Match Predictions; How the contest could unfold📝 Team Lineups & Players to Watch; Key selections and danger men🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our call on the result and standout performer🗣️ Discussion Point: How We Can Beat England; The areas we need to focus on and what will win it for us

A full breakdown of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy, analysing the performance, key moments, and what the result means as the championship picture becomes clearer.🔍 Match Analysis; Where the game was controlled and where it drifted⏱️ Key Match Events; The defining moments across the 80 minutes🟦 Leinster Player Reviews; Individual performances in green📊 Six Nations Table Overview; How the standings now look🗣️ Discussion Point: RWC2027 Potential 23; Early thoughts on the spine of a future World Cup squad

A preview of Ireland’s upcoming Six Nations clash with Italy, assessing the matchup, selection decisions, and what’s at stake as the championship enters its decisive phase.🔮 Six Nations Match Predictions; How this one could unfold📝 Team Lineups & Players to Watch; Selection calls and key threats🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our call on the result and standout performer🗣️ Discussion Point: Farrell’s Finale?; Is this the end of an era or just another chapter?

A full review of Ireland vs France, breaking down a bruising Six Nations encounter, where execution, adaptability, and decision-making under pressure were put firmly under the microscope.🔍 Match Analysis; How the game was won and lost⏱️ Key Match Events; The moments that shaped the result🟦 Leinster Player Reviews; Individual blue performances in green📊 Six Nations Table Overview; What the result means going forward🗣️ Discussion Point: No Plan B; Tactical rigidity or player execution?

A preview of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with France, looking ahead to one of the defining fixtures of the championship and what could decide it on the day.🏉 Six Nations Match Predictions; How the weekend could unfold📝 Team Lineups & Players to Watch; Key selections and danger men🔮 Score & MOTM Prediction; Calling the numbers and standout performer🗣️ Discussion Point: Six Nations, Six Weeks; World Rugby Compression?

A review of the Wolfhounds’ Celtic Challenge encounter with Gwalia Lightning, covering the performance, key moments, and what the result means going forward in the competition.🧠 Overall Opinion & Notable Players; Big performances and general assessment⏱️ Key Match Events; The moments that defined the game📊 Celtic Challenge Positioning; Updated standings and implications➡️ Next Game Details; What’s coming up and where focus shifts next

A breakdown of Leinster’s URC clash with Edinburgh, assessing the performance, key moments, and what the result means in the wider context of the league.🧠 Overall Opinion & Notable Players; Performance assessment and standout contributors⏱️ Match Events; Key moments that shaped the outcome📊 URC Table Positioning; Where the result leaves Leinster in the standings🗣️ Discussion Point – The 1948 Omen; History, symbolism, and whether it means anything at all

A full preview of Leinster’s upcoming URC clash with Edinburgh, looking at form, selection, and the wider talking points heading into the weekend.🔮 URC Match Predictions & Game Details; What to expect from the contest and how it might unfold📝 Team Lineups & Notable Players; Selection calls, key threats, and players to watch🎯 Score & MOTM Predictions; My call on the scoreboard and standout performer🗣️ Discussion Point: Referee Respect & Bundee Aki; Player behaviour, consistency, and where the line should be drawn

A full review of Leinster’s latest URC clash with Connacht, breaking down the performance, the key moments, and what it means for the league as a whole.🔥 Overall Opinion; Our immediate takeaway from the performance and result⏱️ Match Events; The key moments that shaped the match📊 URC Table Positioning; Where this leaves Leinster in the standings 🧱 Discussion Point – The Prop-ocalypse; Leinster's growing prop crisis explained

A look ahead to Leinster vs Connacht in the URC, with the focus on the weekend’s fixtures and what to expect from this interprovincial clash.🏉 URC predictions; key games this weekend and how they might play out🔍 Match Details; context, recent form, and what’s at stake📝 Team lineups; expected selections and notable players to watch out for🗣️ Discussion point; Ireland’s Six Nations squad and the talking points around it

A review of Wolfhounds vs Brython Thunder in the Women’s Celtic Challenge, looking at the performance on the day and the wider context within the competition.🧠 Overall view; first impressions and main takeaways🔥 Match events; key moments and momentum swings📊 Celtic Challenge table; current standings and what they mean🗣️ Discussion section; the first ever Women’s Lions tour in New Zealand

A review of Leinster vs Bayonne as the pool stages of the European Champions Cup come to a close. This episode looks at the performance on the night and where it leaves Leinster heading into the knockout rounds.🧠 Overall view; first impressions and the main takeaways🔍 Game analysis; a deeper look at each area of the game🔥 Match events; key moments and turning points📊 Pool 3 finish; final positioning and what it means going forward🗣️ Discussion point; Leinster’s path to the European Champions Cup final

A look ahead to Leinster vs Bayonne in the final round of the European Champions Cup pool stages, with qualification predictions firmly in focus.🏆 Champions Cup Pool 3 — fixtures and predictions across the group🇮🇪 Other Provinces — predictions and what to keep an eye on📝 Team Lineups — expected selections and the key matchups🗣️ Discussion point — Ardie Savea, Will Connors, and the wider picture around recent and potential signings

A review of The Wolfhounds Half Century win over Edinburgh, with a look at the performance on the day and what it tells us about the wider picture in the Celtic Challenge.🧠 Overall view; Main impressions and the big takeaways. 🔥 Key match events; Moments that shaped the game and swung momentum. 📊 Celtic Challenge table; Current positioning and upcoming game🗣️ Discussion point; Ireland Women’s Six Nations Training Camp named

A review of that electric Leinster vs La Rochelle match that looks beyond the headline result and into what actually happened across the 80 minutes. This episode unpacks the performance in detail and checks where things now stand in Europe.🧠 Overall view; first impressions and the takeaway from the contest 🔍 Game analysis; a deeper look at each area of the game and where it was decided 📝 Math Events; A quick recap of the events that unfolded📊 Pool 3 positioning; how the table looks after the latest round 🗣️ Discussion point; Leinster based referees, the number woes

A focused look ahead to a heavyweight European clash as Leinster face La Rochelle in the Champions Cup. This episode walks through the pool games, the provinces, and the key talking points heading into this weekend.🏆 Champions Cup Pool 3; fixtures and predictions across the group🇮🇪 Other Provinces; quick predictions and who to watch out for📝 Team Lineups; expected selections and where the battles will be🗣️ Discussion point; Joey Carbery rumoured for Leinster

A review of Leinster vs Connacht with a look at both the performance on the day and where Leinster now stand as the season takes shape. I also bring you the latest from The Celtic Challenge; Clovers vs Wolfhounds🧠 Overall view — first impressions and what the result tells us📊 Season stats so far — how the numbers are stacking up at this point🔥 Match analysis — key events, momentum shifts, and moments that mattered📈 URC table positioning — where Leinster sit and how the picture is forming🗣️ Discussion piece — Clovers vs Wolfhounds and what to take from it

This week’s episode looks ahead to Leinster vs Connacht, with a wider look across the URC and the usual Leinster-focused discussion. I also give a quick nod to the womens Celtic Challenge derby this Saturday🔮 URC Round Preview & Predictions: a run through the weekend’s games and how they could play out📝 Team Lineups: expected selections and who to watch out for🆚 Wolfhounds vs Clovers: a look ahead to the upcoming winterinterprovincial clash🔁 Frawley to Connacht: discussion on the now-confirmed transfer and what it means for Connacht

A low-scoring, high-hitting defensive showcase that felt more like a test match than a league game. Collision after collision, with very little given and nothing cheap taken. In this episode, I run through how the game unfolded and the main talking points that came out of a bruising interprovincial battle.🛡️ Overall view on a defence-first, attritional contest🔥 Key match events and momentum swings🏉 Discussion Point: The 4-try bonus point rule🎙️ Leo Cullen embarrassing Simon Zebo live on air

In this preview episode, we set the table for the latest derby chapter of Munster vs Leinster and look at the wider picture across the URC this weekend.🔍 URC Round Preview & Predictions – a run-through of the upcoming fixtures and where the pressure points lie📝 Team Lineups – Leinster and Munster selections, what they tell us, and where the key battles will be🚑 Injury Watch – an expanding injury list and how Six Nations involvement is starting to bite🇮🇪 Six Nations Effect – rotation, availability, and what it means for interprovincial intensity

In this episode, I review Leinster’s interprovincial clash with Ulster, breaking down the performance and the key moments from a hard fought win. We look at where things now stand and touch on a few wider talking points off the pitch.🔵 Overall thoughts on the match and the key events🏥 Injury updates📊 Table positioning and the broader picture🐺 Celtic Challenge - Wolfhounds!

In this preview episode, we look ahead to the interprovincial clash between Leinster and Ulster, with a full run through the main talking points heading into the weekend.🔵 A look across the URC fixtures this weekend and my predictions🏉 Leinster and Ulster team lineups and what they tell us🔮 My predicted score and Man of the Match🗣️ The James Lowe interview and the social media brigade🤔 The rumour linking London Irish RFC with a potential move into the URC

In this review episode, we look back at Leinster vs Leicester Tigers and where things now stand after another round of European action. I break down the game itself, check in on the pool table, and touch on what’s coming down the tracks domestically.🔵 Leinster vs Leicester — game analysis, key moments, and what stood out🏆 Champions Cup Pool 3 — current standings and how the group is shaping up❄️ URC Winterpros — what to expect as the league grinds on through the colder monthsFollow us on our Socials @the_leinster_listen

The Leinster vs Leicester Tigers Preview! 🟦 Pool 3 Landscape – A quick run-through of the other key clashes shaping the group. 🐯 Team Lineups – A grounded look at how Leinster and Leicester are setting up for Welford Road. 🗣️ The Larmour Rumour – A measured chat about the noise around Larmour and what actually matters. ☘️ Women’s Six Nations Home Fixtures – A clear rundown of Ireland’s home schedule and why it’s worth attention. #TheLeinsterListen #TheLL

In this review of our first European Champions Cup pool game of the season, against the Harlequins, we break down how it all actually played out on the pitch. I don't think anyone expected the FT score🟦 Match Analysis — A straight look at the key moments, momentum swings, and where the game was won and lost.💢 Injury Updates — Who’s banged up, who’s hopefully back soon, and what it means for the weeks ahead.📊 Pool Standings — Our position after Round 1 and how the landscape is shaping up already.⏱️ The 5-Second “USE IT” Rule — A quick chat about the law, its inconsistency, and why it drives every supporter half-mad.A clean, honest review of a big European opener — nothing more complicated than that.

In this preview we look at our upcoming first European Champions Cup game against the Harlequins. I discuss our lineup, the Quins' potential lineup and talk about what we are to expect from our game on SaturdayI also discuss the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw and detail our Best and Worst case scenario for getting to the final (or at the very least breaking our Quarter Final curse)

In this review instalment of The Leinster Listen, we walk through the Dragons match score by score, covering the key moments, big swings, and everything that actually mattered on the night. There’s a hard look at the discipline issues — the penalties we coughed up, the sloppy patches, and the dangerous plays that nearly handed them momentum.And of course, we dig into that Scott Penny tackle and the referee’s call that’s had everyone talking since full-time. Clear decision or woeful take? I give my opinion.

Episode 1 - In this first episode of The Leinster Listen, I lay out how the podcast is going to roll each week before diving into the rugby itself. We take a quick look back at the last game, size up the Dragons ahead of the trip to Rodney Parade, run through the Leinster lineup, and I give my score prediction for the weekend.There’s also a chat about the RDS’ new title — The Laya Arena. A fresh start or a sponsor-led fever dream? You can tell me yourself: are you calling it the Laya Arena, or are we all sticking with the RDS out of pure stubbornness?Follow us on your socials:Instagram: @the_leinster_listenBluesky: @theleinsterlistenYoutube: @TheLeinsterListen#TheLeinsterListen #TheLLMusic by Dmitry Taras from Pixabay