Harpin' On Rugby
Leinster & Ireland rugby online content via podcast, website & social media.
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- ICYMI here's our latest Preview Show > youtu.be/PYZhKHoLIFE #FRAvIRE #ShoulderToShoulder #GuinnessM6N
- “Finally, on phase #24 amid gasps of 'What the hell is he doing?' from all Irish fans…Sexton places a perfect kick pass which Keith Earls hauls down out of sheer determination” For this week’s Throwback Thursday we go back to THAT series of phases… jeffpagano.substack.com/p/throwback-...
- Hugo Gordon joined me to harp on Ireland’s Thursday night opener for our latest Preview Show > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/02/04/4... #FRAvIRE #GuinnessM6N
- ICYMI we posted this week's column Tuesday evening...
- A tad earlier than usual, our latest “80+ column” newsletter covering topics like… 🏉 Thursday’s child… 🏉 Laws unto themselves 🏉 Leinster season overview 🏉 Troll Patrol 🏉 “...and much.much more” Check it out here > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/80-column-...
- A tad earlier than usual, our latest “80+ column” newsletter covering topics like… 🏉 Thursday’s child… 🏉 Laws unto themselves 🏉 Leinster season overview 🏉 Troll Patrol 🏉 “...and much.much more” Check it out here > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/80-column-...
- For our latest bonus chat I asked Tom Coleman to give an overview of Leinster's season so far before our attention is drawn to the 6N > youtu.be/JvH6XUb868k
- I was joined by Tom Coleman looking back over Leinster v Edinburgh with topics including… 🏉 Offload overload? 🏉 NIQ benefits 🏉 Death. Taxes. Penny. 🏉 Tector at 10 🏉 Luke’s leadership Check it out here > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/02/02/4... #LEIvEDI #BKTURC
- On Sunday mornings we share our notes from our feature match on Substack, including real-time screengrabs from our WhatsApp group throughout the match > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/leinster-v...
- Never in doubt!!! Ahem... I didn't think 5 pts were on the cards up to 60m but tbf that was a much better half on both sides of the ball, Penny superb not just tries, Luke showed great leadership, Ruben M showed great promise. Tector did well but I'd say he'll be back at 12. On we go. #LEIvEDI
- You dont have to offload ALL the time man... #LEIvEDI
- Cant have too many complaints with that scoreline. Charlie actually doing ok at 10 but still way too many attacks breaking down too easily. Edinburgh meanwhile have a nudge in the scrum and are taking their chances, we're slipping off tackles too. This wont be an easy one to claw back #LEIvEDI
- ICYMI here's our latest preview show > youtu.be/kEaOKkHH_wQ
- “The reality is that I would love to see a healthy rivalry between the two provinces, nay all of them. In fact, back when I started Harpin On Rugby in the 18th century, nurturing said rivalry was one of my missions.” My latest Broken Play article > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/the-bundee...
- Keego offers thoughts on Bundee's ban & helps look ahead to Leinster’s final pre-6N assignment for our latest Preview Show > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/30/4... #LEIvEDI #BKTURC
- Reposted by Harpin' On RugbyMy fundraiser for Ireland's National Autism Charity ends this Saturday with Leinster vs Edinburgh being the 3rd of 3 rugby matches I said I'd wear a Luchador mask at. It'd be great to reach €700 by the deadline. Read all about why it's a good cause here: posttopost.sport.blog/charity-fund...
- Our latest “80+ column” newsletter covering topics like… 🏉 Pourquoi, Fabien? 🏉 Will goes west 🏉 Ireland’s 6N squad 🏉 Comp updates (incl AIL) 🏉 “...and much.much more” Check it out here > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/80-column-...
- I was joined by Ciarán Duffy @posttopostsport.bsky.social looking back over Connacht v Leinster, with topics including… 🏉 Comeback Kings 🏉 The gameplan 🏉 Opening night 🏉 Leinster negatives 🏉 Connacht’s form Check it out here > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/26/4... #CONvLEI #BKTURC
- On Sunday mornings we share our notes from our feature match on Substack, including real-time screengrabs from our WhatsApp group throughout the match > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/connacht-v...
- Definitely happy with that, obv poor tackling for the Connacht try but otherwise we defended well that half and took the chances when they came. Well reffed by Cross I thought as tensions were high. Kelleher improved our scrum, both our scrumhalfs did well. Plenty of positives for Con #CONvLEI
- Scoreline about right, many concerns for Leinster, another prop injured, scrum issues anyway, plus blunt attack not using back three, but we are taking points and staying in it. Connacht defending for the occasion, should be fascinating 2nd half. #CONvLEI
- ICYMI here's our latest preview show > youtu.be/lLRV02rxEWk
- “If I had to pick a favourite Welsh region, it would be them, and the proof of that pudding is that they are the team I grew to fear the most over the years” My latest Broken Play article > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/previous-e...
- Keego helps us look forward to Saturday evening’s interpro in Galway > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/23/4... #CONvLEI #BKTURC
- “Meanwhile up in the press-box, a blogger who should have known his own place was shouting at the ref to award the penalty try…only to receive flaming daggers from the ... columnist seated beside him!” This week’s Throwback Thursday > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/throwback-...
- Our latest “80+ column” newsletter covering topics like… 🏉 Format tweaks 🏉 Where there’s a Willis 🏉 Leinster Academy in Toulouse 🏉 Troll Patrol 🏉 “...and much.much more” Check it out here > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/80-column-...
- I was joined by Rich Mifsud looking back over Bayonne v Leinster, with topics including… 🏉 The kicking game 🏉 Blunt attack 🏉 Rotating 15s 🏉 Lineouts 🏉 Playing catchup Check it out here > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/19/4... #BAYvLEI #InvestecChampionsCup
- Fair play Glasgow that's a pasting right there. 20 from 20 not to be sneezed at. #GLAvSAR #InvestecChampionsCup
- On Sunday mornings we share our notes from our feature match on Substack, including real-time screengrabs from our WhatsApp group throughout the match > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/bayonne-v-...
- Anyone at the Bayonne v Leinster match see what happened to the Bayonne restart right after the Deegan try right at the end? Did it go straight into touch or bounce? TV too busy showing replays. Asking for a friend.
- Yet another ugly win, needed a bounce of the ball or two along the way, Segonds dominated us with his boot right up to that missed pen and eventually we were able to find the scores. Struggled with the conditions, will need to raise level for knockouts, but I'll take the win for now. #BAYvLEI
- Far from ideal half for Leinster obvs, defence not bad bar one bad read at midfield, but we're just inches away from converting try chances and will def need one to stick soon. I was hoping we wouldnt be relying on bench but I think we might have to. #BAYvLEI
- Toulouse U23 v Leinster Academy streaming live now > www.youtube.com/live/53fTnJf...
- “...heaven forbid we have one of the marquee contests of the northern hemisphere, f*ck it, the WORLD rugby calendar clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.” My latest Broken Play article > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/a-happy-mi...
- Keego returns who help us look ahead to Leinster’s final pool match in Bayonne > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/16/4... #BAYvLEI #InvestecChampionsCup
- “It was like…the two men on the park who actually seemed to be capable of making something out of nothing, Kearney and Fitzgerald, had to rely on scraps falling off the grownups table.” Our latest Throwback Thursday goes back to January 2009... jeffpagano.substack.com/p/throwback-...
- Our latest “80+ column” newsletter covering topics like… 🏉 Return of the King 🏉 Clickbait of the Week 🏉 CC final round permutations 🏉 Nations C’ship “explained” 🏉 “...and much.much more” Check it out here > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/80-column-...
- I was joined by Hugo Gordon looking back over Leinster v La Rochelle, with topics including… 🏉 That start & that finish 🏉 More injuries 🏉 More ill discipline 🏉 Breakdown decisions 🏉 Vintage visitors Check it out here > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/12/4... #LEIvLAR #InvestecChampionsCup
- Reposted by Harpin' On RugbyHave just been talking about this with @harpinonrugby.bsky.social. Really notable yesterday how often Kenny was one of the first in to clear a ruck.
- Getting reports that media outlets are lobbying the EPCR to split the match points between the Cheetahs and Ulster after cancellation in Amsterdam just so they can use the headline "Going Dutch". More updates as we have them.
- On Sunday mornings we share our notes from our feature match on Substack, including real-time screengrabs from our WhatsApp group throughout the match > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/leinster-v...
- Aw man what a match. Had everything. Clawed our way back brilliantly, amazing pace from Josh & Robbie. La Rochelle were at their title winning best and got the lead back but the stones on Harry to nail that! Amazing 5 pts, real shot in the arm for our season. #LEIvLAR #InvestecChampionsCup
- Fascinating match. Exactly the start we needed, 2 superb tries and no pen conceded until 10m, but then it went downhill. Key injury to Frawley, discipline killing us, we simply must see out this yellow and get the next score...this could be won or lost in the next 10m. #LEIvLAR
- Great result for the Rock today, Rich talked to us about their journey to Rugby Europe recognition on a recent video > youtu.be/CBXZFVFTwsE
- Wonderful first game as members of @rugbyeurope.bsky.social for #Gibraltar #rugby against our friends from #finland
- Just another 20pts or so each and it'd practically be Super Rugby
- “...the Challenge Cup (is) not a tournament clubs can try to qualify for, rather one they end up in, and for me that sucks any hint of gravitas from it altogether.” My latest Broken Play article is called “The 'lack of Challenge' Cup and a 'dam shame” > jeffpagano.substack.com/p/the-lack-o...
- ICYMI here's our latest Preview Show > youtu.be/zPjfAYfBCx8