The Leinster Listen

The Leinster Listen

By: Mick Linnane

Language: en

Categories: Sports, Rugby

A weekly dive into all things Leinster Rugby. There'll be previews, reviews, and the odd rant when required. Two episodes a week covering the boys in blue, with a sharp eye on the URC, Europe, and whatever the Irish setup is up to. It’s straight talking, a bit of a laugh, and absolutely no pretending we don’t care as much as we do. If you follow Leinster, if you love the game, or if you just enjoy someone else doing the overthinking for you, you’re in the right place.Find our socials with the username: @the_leinster_listen

Episodes

#13: Leinster (H) vs La Rochelle - Preview
Jan 09, 2026

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.

๐Ÿ† Champions Cup Pool 3; fixtures and predictions across the group

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Other Provinces; quick predictions and who to watch out for

๐Ÿ“ Team Lineups; expected selections and where the battles will be

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Discussion point; Joey Carbery rumoured for Leinster

Duration: 00:14:47
#12: Leinster (H) vs Connacht - Review
Jan 04, 2026

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

๐Ÿง  Overall view โ€” first impressions and what the result tells us

๐Ÿ“Š Season stats so far โ€” how the numbers are stacking up at this point

๐Ÿ”ฅ Match analysis โ€” key events, momentum shifts, and moments that mattered

๐Ÿ“ˆ URC table positioning โ€” where Leinster sit and how the picture is forming

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Discussion piece โ€” Clovers vs Wolfhounds and what to take from it Duration: 00:29:16

#11: Leinster (H) vs Connacht - Preview
Jan 02, 2026

This weekโ€™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

๐Ÿ”ฎ URC Round Preview & Predictions: a run through the weekendโ€™s games and how they could play out

๐Ÿ“ Team Lineups: expected selections and who to watch out for

๐Ÿ†š Wolfhounds vs Clovers: a look ahead to the upcoming winterinterprovincial clash

๐Ÿ” Frawley to Connacht: discussion on the now-confirmed transfer and what it means for Connacht

Duration: 00:13:01
#10: Leinster vs Munster (H) - Review
Dec 28, 2025

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.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Overall view on a defence-first, attritional contest

๐Ÿ”ฅ Key match events and momentum swings

๐Ÿ‰ Discussion Point: The 4-try bonus point rule

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Leo Cullen embarrassing Simon Zebo live on air

Duration: 00:24:50
#9 Leinster vs Munster (H) - Preview
Dec 24, 2025

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.

๐Ÿ” URC Round Preview & Predictions โ€“ a run-through of the upcoming fixtures and where the pressure points lie

๐Ÿ“ Team Lineups โ€“ Leinster and Munster selections, what they tell us, and where the key battles will be

๐Ÿš‘ Injury Watch โ€“ an expanding injury list and how Six Nations involvement is starting to bite

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Six Nations Effect โ€“ rotation, availability, and what it means for interprovincial intensity

Duration: 00:13:13
#8: Leinster (H) vs Ulster - Review
Dec 21, 2025

In this episode, I review Leinsterโ€™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.

๐Ÿ”ต Overall thoughts on the match and the key events

๐Ÿฅ Injury updates

๐Ÿ“Š Table positioning and the broader picture

๐Ÿบ Celtic Challenge - Wolfhounds!

Duration: 00:23:46
#7: Leinster (H) vs Ulster - Preview
Dec 18, 2025

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.

๐Ÿ”ต A look across the URC fixtures this weekend and my predictions

๐Ÿ‰ Leinster and Ulster team lineups and what they tell us

๐Ÿ”ฎ My predicted score and Man of the Match

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ The James Lowe interview and the social media brigade

๐Ÿค” The rumour linking London Irish RFC with a potential move into the URC

Duration: 00:13:16
#6: Leinster vs Leicester Tigers (H) - Review
Dec 14, 2025

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 whatโ€™s coming down the tracks domestically.

๐Ÿ”ต Leinster vs Leicester โ€” game analysis, key moments, and what stood out

๐Ÿ† Champions Cup Pool 3 โ€” current standings and how the group is shaping up

โ„๏ธ URC Winterpros โ€” what to expect as the league grinds on through the colder months

Follow us on our Socials @the_leinster_listen

Duration: 00:23:38
#5: Leinster vs Leicester Tigers (H) - Preview
Dec 11, 2025

The Leinster vs Leicester Tigers Preview!

๐ŸŸฆ Pool 3 Landscape โ€“ A quick run-through of the other key clashes shaping the group.

๐Ÿฏ Team Lineups โ€“ A grounded look at how Leinster and Leicester are setting up for Welford Road.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ The Larmour Rumour โ€“ A measured chat about the noise around Larmour and what actually matters.

โ˜˜๏ธ Womenโ€™s Six Nations Home Fixtures โ€“ A clear rundown of Irelandโ€™s home schedule and why itโ€™s worth attention.

#TheLeinsterListen #TheLL

Duration: 00:12:36
#4: Leinster (H) vs Harlequins - Review
Dec 07, 2025

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

๐ŸŸฆ Match Analysis โ€” A straight look at the key moments, momentum swings, and where the game was won and lost.

๐Ÿ’ข Injury Updates โ€” Whoโ€™s banged up, whoโ€™s hopefully back soon, and what it means for the weeks ahead.

๐Ÿ“Š Pool Standings โ€” Our position after Round 1 and how the landscape is shaping up already.

โฑ๏ธ The 5-Second โ€œUSE ITโ€ Rule โ€” A quick ch...

Duration: 00:26:34
#3: Leinster (H) vs Harlequins - Preview
Dec 05, 2025

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 Saturday

I 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)

Duration: 00:11:06
#2: Leinster vs Dragons (H) - Review
Nov 30, 2025

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. Thereโ€™s a hard look at the discipline issues โ€” 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 refereeโ€™s call thatโ€™s had everyone talking since full-time. Clear decision or woeful take? I give my opinion.

Duration: 00:24:56
#1: Leinster vs Dragons (H) - Preview
Nov 28, 2025

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.

Thereโ€™s also a chat about the RDSโ€™ new title โ€” 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...

Duration: 00:10:30