The Leinster Listen | Podcast on RSS.com

The Leinster Listen

The Leinster Listen

by Mick Linnane

Season 1

#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?

#50: Leinster vs Bordeaux - The Investec Champions Cup Final

The biggest weekend in European club rugby is finally here! We break down the massive double-header in Spain as Leinster head to the San Mamés Stadium to battle reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles for that elusive fifth star. Here is what we are hitting on this week's episode: 🏆 Investec Champions Cup Final Prediction: A deep dive into how Leinster can topple the reigning champions, Bordeaux. 🛡️ Challenge Cup Prediction: Predicting the weekend's opening silverware clash between Ulster and Montpellier. 🇪🇸 Details of our massive clash in Bilbao: Kickoff times, weather forecasts, and referee details for the San Mamés Stadium. 📋 Confirmed team lineups: Dissecting the official matchday 23s and the crucial tactical bench splits. 🎯 Score and MOTM Prediction: Mick puts his neck on the line with his final score forecast and star player pick.

#49: Leinster (H) vs Ospreys - URC Review

Before we get into the rugby, a massive shoutout to Westmeath this weekend. The senior men claimed the Leinster GAA football title and the intermediate women's side did the same. A proud weekend for the county and well worth acknowledging before we dive in. Back to Province business, and Leinster saved their best for last in the regular season, putting the Ospreys to the sword in a dominant display at the Aviva that sent them into the play-offs with real momentum and a statement made. 🇱🇻 Westmeath Leinster Champions Shoutout; A proud weekend for the county on the GAA front 🌍 URC Match Results; How the final round of the regular season played out across the league 📊 URC Table and Quarter-Final Details; Where Leinster finish, who they face in the last eight, and the full play-off picture 🗣️ Overall Opinion of the Game; First impressions on a dominant Leinster display to close out the regular season 🔍 Analysis of the Game Events; Breaking down what worked, who shone, and what it means heading into the knockouts

#48: Leinster (H) vs Ospreys - URC Preview

One last outing before Bilbao. Leinster sit third in the table and can still finish as high as second since the Stormers slip up in Cardiff, but with a Champions Cup final looming next weekend, rotation and freshness will be just as much on Leo's mind as the final league position. The Ospreys arrive in 11th place with nothing to play for but also nothing to lose. 🔮 URC Results, Fixtures and Predictions; The final round of regular season action and what it all means for the QF play-off picture 📍 Details of Our Game; All the details from weather to where to watch 📝 Team Lineups; Jack Conan captains, Harry Byrne kicks and Gibson-Park rucks. The rest of the lineup detailed in this episode also 👀 Who to Watch; The returning faces and the players with something to prove ahead of the final 🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; My result call and standout performer

#47: Leinster (H) vs Fidelity SecureDrive Lions - URC Review

Leinster got the job done, but the Lions made them work every minute of it. The scoreboard flatters the hosts somewhat, with the South Africans causing real problems throughout and pushing Leinster closer than most expected. An individual masterclass ultimately proved the difference, and the top four is secure heading into the final round. One eye is already on Bilbao. 🌍 URC Match Results; How the rest of the weekend played out across the league 📊 URC Table Standings; Where everything sits with one round of the regular season to go 🔮 Updated Final 8 Prediction; How the play-off picture is shaping up and who needs what on the final weekend 🗣️ Overall Opinion of the Game; A win that was harder than it looked, and what it tells us about Leinster's readiness for the Champions Cup final 🔍 Analysis of the Game; Where the Lions caused the damage, the individual brilliance that made the difference, and what Leo will want to fix before Bilbao 📋 Key Match Events; The tries, the turning points and the moments that shaped the scoreline

#46: Leinster (H) vs Fidelity Securedrive Lions - URC Preview

Fresh off a nervy Champions Cup semi-final win over Toulon, Leinster return to URC action this Saturday for a penultimate round blockbuster at the Aviva. The Lions and Leinster are level on points with two games to go, with a win crucial for securing a place in the top four. The Lions arrive on a six-match winning streak and full of confidence. The Aviva fortress awaits 🔮 URC Game Predictions; How the penultimate round of the regular season could shape the play-off picture 📍 Details of Our Game; All the details from kickoff to weather reports 📝 Team Lineups; A much-changed Leinster side expected with one eye on May 23 🎯 Score & MOTM Prediction; Our result call and standout performer

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