80+ column : March 18
Our weekly newsletter looking at the wider rugby world
ON THIS WEEK’S COLUMN…
WRAP OF A WRAP
TALLAGHT TIE
STARS RE-SIGN
ZERO TOLERANCE
OS LOBOS SÃO CAMPEÕES
CLICKBAIT OF THE WEEK
HARPIN’ ON…6N TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE
TROLL PATROL
COMPETITION UPDATES (incl AIL)
NEXT HARPIN’
WRAP OF A WRAP
First of all, belated beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh…
What a weekend of Six Nations rugby that was! Obviously coming within a Henry Pollock brainfart (yes I blame him, it just feels right) of the title was heartbreaking (I’ll write more about what went down here in Harpin’ Manor as that Ramos kick went over the bar for the Broken Play article this weekend) but there was a very clear, easy path from that disappointment to the contentment of a Triple Crown and 2nd place considering what Irish fans were imagining after Round 1, and hopefully most of us were able to travel it.
I was joined for the Ireland v Scotland wrap pod by Mark Jackson who gave his usual insightful coach’s opinion on the match, click here if you missed it.
TALLAGHT TIE
Coffey…made light of the tricky elements by knocking over a nerveless conversion that means these two sides will have to do it all again
Blackrock fight back to earn dramatic draw with Mary’s in Leinster Schools Senior Cup final
DaireWalsh.com
Unfortunately I had to work on St Patrick’s Day otherwise I’d have popped over to Tallaght for this, and it sounds like I missed a cracker. Apparently with Rock 7 points down, Cian McCarron scored a try in the corner which meant their skipper Luke Coffey needed to make a kick (1) from the touchline, (2) on the wrong side for a left footed kicker, and (3) battling the wind as a team mate held the ball for him. I mean, those terms make what Thomas Ramos had to do in Paris seem a walk in the park, yet the youngster nailed it meaning they have to go at it again next Monday, this time in Donnybrook, a journey that I’m assuming will be a lot more “agreeable” to fans to both teams. A shame they couldn’t produce a winner on the day, but then again extra time isn’t ideal for senior rugby union players let alone schoolboys so a replay is the best of a bad lot of choices. The report is from Daire Walsh and it was for the Examiner but I like to share from his personal blog when I can.
STARS RE-SIGN
…the commitment of four experienced players…is a major boost for Ireland heading into the inaugural Nations Championship this summer…
Aki, Sheehan, Gibson-Park and van der Flier Sign New IRFU Contracts
IrishRugby.ie
The title gives me a chance to point out how one hyphen make “resign” and “re-sign” mean pretty much the exact opposite.
But obviously it is really good news in each case, although when you look through the lens of Ireland’s depth at various positions you get mixed responses IMO.
One of the highlights of the 2026 campaign is how many Ulster Rugby players have blossomed at the top level. After endless complaints from outside the Pale about the number of Leinster names that are the first cab on the rank at most positions, we now see the provincial proportions shifting somewhat in a more northerly direction. And you might think because I’m blue goggled I am somehow complaining about that, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Looking at the Leinster players in the quartet, I think one of the most understated aspects of the new look of the squad has been the prominence of Nick Timoney. As great and all as it is to lock Josh down, even when your incumbent has a World Rugby POTY gong you need a succession plan especially for a key position like 7, and Nick has shown that he’s more than up to the task.
Next we have Dan…he obviously has Rónan behind him but also Tom Stewart is involved in the set-up, and even Rob Herring could easily slot into the squad if required.
But when we come to JGP…I think he provides a bit too much “star power” on our depth chart at the moment. It’s not ideal to have a player you’re probably going to need for 70+ minutes for a match that’s close in the final quarter, but with all due respect to Craig Casey, I don’t see that changing any time soon, although there is of course another Ulsterman on Andy’s radar here in Neil Nathan* Doak and maybe it could be worth moving him up a slot, at least for the opening rounds of the Nations Championship to see how he gets on?
Then there’s Bundee and there’s no doubt he’s the kind of character you want in the squad, although at this stage of his career I think he’s best suited as an impact player. We have said it many, many times on the pod over the past few weeks but it’s worth saying again that yet another Ulsterman, Stu McCloskey, has absolutely nailed down that 12 jersey for himself right now.
And of course since I’m harpin’ on worthy northerners I’d have to include some honourable mentions…Tom O’Toole has done really well on the loose head side in the past couple of weeks and also Cormac Izuchukwu looks more than ready to step up to fill the gap behind Tadhg Beirne that is similar to that behind JGP.
Would it be cheeky to give the bulk of the credit to Riche Murphy for bringing these players on? Probably, since I’m sure many of the SUFTUM faithful would argue that these players have been test ready since before he came along, but we can debate that elsewhere. For now, it’s better to celebrate a good 6N campaign, the re-signing of these players, and the depth of the squad overall.
* hat-tip to Rugby Kino for spotting my failed namecheck. I ALWAYS call him Neil not Nathan. Always. It’s a mental glitch. Nothing personal against the player, I promise…
ZERO TOLERANCE
“If any accounts are found to have links to rugby club members we will not hesitate to take action.”
Formal garda complaints to be made over three Irish accounts linked to racist abuse of Edogbo
Sinead O’Carroll - The Journal
I was focusing on Ulster above, but that’s not to say there’s nobody stepping up from the other provinces either, with Darragh Murray flying the Connacht flag and Edwin Edogbo making his 6N debut as well.
But we all know that Edwin’s elevation has seen some disgusting commentary on the socials, I’ve seen some of it and it’s really annoying to know this element exists anyway, let alone that it’s creeping into our amazing sport.
So it goes without saying that for the most part, I’m delighted to see this article. The reason I say “for the most part” is that I’m wondering why we’re reading this headline now, weeks after the abuse was first reported? I mean, of COURSE garda complaints should be filed, of COURSE pathways should be explored to bring these evil feckers to justice.
It’s just I took this article to be more of an advertisement for the company they’re bringing in to do the tracking than one that is focusing on the matter at hand? Am I being too cynical? Possibly. But maybe it would be a better selling point for the company to have their name and services strewn throughout an article AFTER the trolls have been caught?
OS LOBOS SÃO CAMPEÕES
It is also Portugal’s first European competition win since 2004…and, unsurprisingly, the celebrations were wild.
Portugal claimed a historic Rugby Europe Championship title win after they defeated Georgia 19-17
RugbyEurope.eu
Quite a story that will receive pretty much zero attention on these shores, which is a shame. For this “Rugby Europe Championship” to seem relevant, it most certainly needs to be competitive, and for years it has been dominated by Georgia with Portugal generally falling into second spot behind them. Now we have finally seen Os Lobos show they can get the job done in the final and this victory will be excellent for the sport there.
Now of course there IS a downside, as it could also be argued that this result affects the argument for Georgia moving up to the Six Nations, but the final Front 5 article addresses that somewhat.
“It’s something that happened three years ago and I’m sure that whoever made the mistakes, they’re going to pay for that.”
New team ready to replace Welsh side in URC as coach questions timing of scandal
John Jones - Wales Online
This gets my COTW award because of the opening words of the headline. “New team ready to replace Welsh side” suggests the change has been signed sealed and delivered. In actual fact, they mean Georgia is “ready” to join the URC in the same way I’m “ready” to date Scarlett Johannsen.
But while normally I leave out the actual link for these clickbait articles, I include it here because for me anyway, the article is actually interesting for completely different angles. The actual story is the response of Georgian interim boss Marco Bortolami to their defeat to Portugal and how he finds it “interesting” that a Georgian doping scandal from a few years ago has come to the surface at this time of year, and you know what, at the risk of making a tinfoil hat for myself, I’ll admit the timing is rather odd.
You can make up your own mind from the article but I still don’t think the headline needed to be worded that way. I suppose the sub editor was just trying to squeeze a Welsh one from the story but it’s pretty weak IMO.
HARPIN ON…6N TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
“Well another Six Nations has come to a close and I think we can all agree that it was an absolute cracker of a tournament. With not further drama to be played on the pitch, that leaves us with the task of sorting out who was the best over the five rounds in all sorts of categories. Our guest from the Triple Crown winning wrap pod Mark Jackson is no stranger to selecting best XVs for Harpin On Rugby so it’d be rude not to get him to have a stab at Team of the Tournament, let’s get started with the backs…”
LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE
Do we dare to dream that Hugo can be back this weekend? The way his name wasn’t so much as mentioned in the squad update gives me hope so I’ll put him in my 23 at very least.
We’ve complained in previous seasons that our South African trip comes right after the Six Nations, but this season’s schedule has dealt us a massive helping of “careful what you wish for” as instead we’re away to league leaders Glasgow and we’ll definitely need the strongest squad possible if we’re to stay in touch with the top of the table, especially with a visit to Belfast to face what will be a test-cap-hardened Ulster side not too far around the corner.
HARPIN’ POSSIBLE MATCHDAY 23 V GLASGOW
H Keenan, J Kenny, R Ioane, R Henshaw, J O’Brien, H Byrne, L McGrath (c)
J Cahir, J McKee, R Slimani, A Spicer, B Deeny, M Deegan, S Penny, J Culhane
G McCarthy, A Usanov, A Sparrow, RG Snyman, A Soroka, F Gunne, S Prendergast, R Moloney
caveat : I have no “ITK” a la Thornley
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT
FURTHER ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:
Andrew Porter is integrating into training as he continues his recovery.
James Ryan is due to be further assessed on a calf injury and a final decision on his availability will be made later in the week.
NOT AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:
Diarmuid Mangan sustained injuries to his shoulder and foot and will be unavailable for selection.
Hugh Cooney sustained a foot injury and will be unavailable for selection.
James Lowe sustained a groin injury and will be unavailable for selection.
NO FURTHER UPDATES ON:
Ryan Baird, Jordan Larmour, Paddy McCarthy, Jack Boyle.
TROLL PATROL
Now it’s time for Troll Patrol where we ‘detain’ a social media commentator and charge them with gaslightery and general online mayhem.
Karl Brophy is on flying form on the socials these days and accounts like his make it worthwhile to wade through all the shite you get on there. This “could Owen qualify for Ireland” troll was so good it prompted reactions from people like Stu Barnes, which allows him to reply with the emoji “🎣”
I also added this tweet from Karl from just after the Triple Crown success, not because it’s a troll, more because it’s just damn funny.
I harp a lot about the Women’s AIL in this section and there’s nothing wrong about that, but I suppose once in a while I should throw the spotlight on the blokes and there’s a big match in Div 1A this weekend. Not only is Terenure v Lansdowne a Dublin derby anyway, but they also sit 3rd and 4th respectively and with Cork Con in 5th likely to get maximum points from winless Nenagh Ormond, the points will be vital at Lakelands if they want to cement their playoff hopes with one round left after this.
Also in the 🔝🐱🐴 there’s a big clash between Bordeaux and Toulouse to look forward to on Sunday night.
I know I’ve harped on this already in the Front Five section, but St Mary’s 24-24 Blackrock still gets this week’s award for obvious reasons.
WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS
NOTE : Rugby Kino of the MudderRucker Podcast will be our guest for the next wrap pod so for next week’s bonus chat I’ll get him to look ahead to the W6N…
CELTIC CHALLENGE
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, March 21
Wolfhounds v Brython Thunder
Clovers v Gwalia Lightning
both matches at Dexcom Stadium, Galway
URC IRISH SHIELD
Leinster 14-31 Munster
Munster 17-15 Connacht
Leinster 24-20 Ulster
Munster 8-13 Leinster
Connacht 24-29 Ulster
Ulster 28-3 Munster
Leinster 52-17 Connacht
Connacht 23-34 Leinster
Mar 20 Ulster v Connacht
Apr 17 Ulster v Leinster
Apr 25 Munster v Ulster
May 9 Connacht v Munster
U20 SIX NATIONS
ALL IRELAND LEAGUES
WOMEN’S
MEN’S 1A
MEN’S 1B
LEINSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP
FINAL (REPLAY)
St Mary’s v Blackrock
Mon Mar 23
Energia Park, Donnybrook
FINAL
St Mary’s 24-24 Blackrock
SEMIFINALS
Terenure 10-17 St Mary’s
Blackrock 22-17 St Michael’s
QUARTERFINALS
Terenure 57-3 Gonzaga
Blackrock 57-14 St Gerard’s
St Michael’s 21-10 Roscrea
St Mary’s 12-0 Newbridge
FIRST ROUND
Terenure College 51-14 Kilkenny College
Clongowes Wood College 15-22 St Mary’s College
Newbridge College 38-31 Wesley College
Belvedere College 8 -18 Cistercian College Roscrea
Gonzaga College 62-7 Temple Carrig
St Gerard’s School 24-17 Pres Bray
St Gerard’s School 17-19 Pres Bray
St Fintan’s 10-22 St Michael’s College
Blackrock College 47-32 St Vincent’s
VINNIE MURRAY CUP
QUARTERFINALS
(4 semifinalists advance to Senior Cup)
St Vincents 26-24 CUS
Temple Carrig 14-14 St Andrews
St Fintan’s 59-23 St Patricks Navan
King’s Hospital 12-19 Pres Bray
(replay) Temple Carrig 17-12 St Andrews
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP
FINALS DAY
CHAMPIONSHIP
GEORGIA 17-19 PORTUGAL
MINOR PLACINGS
3RD : ROMANIA 23-29 SPAIN
5TH : SWITZERLAND 16-39 BELGIUM
7TH : GERMANY 7-76 NETHERLANDS
SVNS
NEW YORK LEG
WOMEN’S
MEN’S
PREMIERSHIP
Round 11
Friday 20 March
Bath v Saracens
Saturday 21 March
Harlequins v Gloucester
Northampton Saints v Newcastle Red Bulls
Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks
Sunday 22 March
Leicester Tigers v Bristol
🔝🐱🐴
PROD2
SUPER RUGBY
ROUND 6
Friday 20 March
Highlanders v Hurricanes
Brumbies v Chiefs
Saturday 21 March
Drua v Queensland Reds
Moana Pasifika v Crusaders
Waratahs v Blues
JAPAN LEAGUE ONE
ROUND 11
Kubota Spears 30–32 Saitama Wild Knights
Mie Honda Heat 26–31 Yokohama Canon Eagles
BlackRams Tokyo 37–33 Shizuoka BlueRevs
Kobelco Kobe Steelers 61–10 Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars
Toyota Verblitz 59–19 Urayasu D-Rocks
Tokyo Sungoliath 60–21 Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
ROUND 12
Friday 20 March
Kobelco Kobe Steelers v Yokohama Canon Eagles
Saturday 21 March
Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars v Tokyo Sungoliath
Saitama Wild Knights v BlackRams Tokyo
Urayasu D-Rocks v Kubota Spears
Sunday 22 March
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo v Mie Honda Heat
Toyota Verblitz v Shizuoka BlueRevs
MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY
Saturday 28 March
California Legion v Anthem RC
Saturday 4 April
Seattle Seawolves v Old Glory DC
Anthem RC v Chicago Hounds
Sunday 5 April
California Legion v New England Free Jacks
Saturday 11 April
New England Free Jacks v Old Glory DC
Sunday 12 April
Anthem RC v Seattle Seawolves
Monday 13 April
Chicago Hounds v California Legion
COPY HERE
NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’
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In the meantime be sure to enjoy your rugby wherever you are. JLP