The Left Wing: Leinster's selection policy, Croke Park showdown and Munster's hot streak

Leinster's selection policy ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final is a big topic of discussion on the latest episode of The Left Wing.
Luke Fitzgerald, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Will Slattery discuss whether Leo Cullen made a mistake in resting so many starters for the recent trip to South Africa and break down some of the big selection talking points for the semi-final at Croke Park.
Meanwhile, Munster continued their strong record in South Africa and look primed for another URC title tilt while Ulster's form under Richie Murphy leaves them in danger of missing out on a playoff place.

[@brianmurray6287]

La rochelle played in SA the week before they played Leinster and the arse fell out of them..no injuries...right call Leo.

[@andrew097]

Leinster were 90 seconds and 5 mins from winning the Euopean cup in the last two seasons. The only successful season for Leinster is to win that cup. Neinabar was brought in to that end. Its tough but that is the expectation at Leinster and this squad should have at least one more trophy since 2018

[@SouthAfricaMCtours]

Werner Kock is one of the most underrated wingers. He is a prolific try scorer, excellent on defence and most of all... gives 100% every time he plays. Ulster will love him and reap the benefits of this talent.

[@seangriffin8659]

100% agree. ulster could really use his ruggedness and he offers a different profile on the wing than balacoune, stockdale, mcelroy and co.

[@petefraser3013]

The fact that the front line Leinster players get rested for 2 weeks is a massive and in some respects unfair advantage over the top English & French teams

[@IrishInsomniac76]

I think Snyman wants to leave Munster with a title to pay the team back for his time there before moving to Leinster. His performances recently have been excellent

[@okkertgreyvenstein5765]

The youngstres at Leinster that doesnt get enough game time must leave to the other irish provinces, they will be well used

[@jmo8934]

If they win the URC and Champions cup then they were justified. If they win one of them the probably still yes. If they end up empty handed again then they need to rethink their strategy.

[@ucanprofit]

I suppose guys got a run. Guys got rested. Champions Cup is focused. And the have the points with 3 games to go. Hope Munster come thru the 3 games too

[@jasonwall5012]

18:14 no time difference, really. 13 to 16 hours flight travel. Why do it, when there is no need for it? Just stupidity, when all the South African teams were talking about it, and La Rochelle was saying it too.

[@tomf1dublin1]

On Leinster - send out strong team for first week . Beat lions and play weaker team for second week while sending home the EC team. However, Leinster were atrocious on the field and totally agree with Luke about getting hammered in games this time of year

[@insmallportions]

Who cares about being hammered with a second string team? Leinster will still likely top the table at the end of the season. The harsh reality is these games are not worth the risk of injury to say JGP.

[@jctralee]

I think leinster will have enough for Northampton but not toulouse

[@amantedellopera1681]

What are you on about weve wiped the floor with them last couple times we played them

[@purplecrown505]

@@amantedellopera1681 All those semi final wins over Toulouse were in the Aviva. Final will be in a neutral venue

[@jctralee]

I hope im wrong but the best team by far thus year in Europe has been Toulose, i assume you dont watch top 14​@@amantedellopera1681

[@bernieob9577]

Are you mad , well able they beat them the last couple of times.

[@jctralee]

@@bernieob9577 I must have been mad, hate to say I told you so

[@boks23]

go sharks bring it home

[@Camcolito]

Don't they have enough Kocks in Ulster?

[@purplecrown505]

Cullen really does take the p1sh with his spin. He claimed Leinster played well for '20 or 30 minutes' v Stormers. Actually it was more like 10 and barely even that. I have this nagging feeling that he's going to mess it all up again and leave us trophyless for a third year running.

[@celtic333ful]

These idiots are talking about the final as if Leinster are guaranteed a spot. I hope that doesn't come back to haunt them.

[@wiv4jesus]

My call: Leinster looses against Toulose in Euro Cup final!

[@insmallportions]

You guys are jokers, for the quarter final you were saying La Rochelle were tired from travelling. Now that it's Leinster they should all travel... pick a lane.

[@markdeegan4113]

o i forgot unsub again, i forgot u turn off comments.

[@okkertgreyvenstein5765]

If Goosen didnt get that red card then munster wouldnt have beaten the bulls, but well done to them winning their two games in SA,

[@danielg8001]

IF……..the biggest word in rugby!

[@okkertgreyvenstein5765]

Big upset coming, don't write off Northampton, I think they going to scape it thru at the end against Leinster.

[@PB22559]

I think it'll be a closer game than the bookies think but Leinster should have enough to beat them. If Leinster lose, serious questions will be asked and the La Rochelle win will be irrelevant.

[@wiv4jesus]

You guys are arrogant, thinking that Leinster's best team is just gonna come to South Africa and beat the South African teams at home???!! Man you guys are making a big mistake and you have the same mentallity about the upcoming Irish tour to SA. You guys gonna have such a big surprise! SA teams are different beasts when they play home, especially the Boks!!!

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

You sound a tad “arrogant” yourself if you don’t mind me pointing that out to you.

[@andrewmartinfarrell8167]

Lol. Blah blah. Who cares? Are there no SA rugby podcasts for you to listen to? Maybe all the powercuts make it hard to produce content.

[@wiv4jesus]

Haha, you know what I say is true! Ask any of your players that came to SA whether it was a walk in the park. The stats does not lie. Alm of them will say that it is probably one of the tuffest places to play rugby at.

[@wiv4jesus]

@@andrewmartinfarrell8167 what a stupid thing to say! Really??? I am merely joining the conversation. Who the hell do you think you are to tell me that I must watch SA podcasts and then you talk shit about SA?? Come on, say something relevant or keep your opinions about my country to yourself! If it wasn't for the SA audience, most of these podcast channels won't even be on the map!

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

@@wiv4jesus wind your neck in!

[@thomaspollock5709]

Leinster was a discrace to people who went there to see 2games lost leaving full team out Cullen was wrong as they will be stale full team and I think will lose to saints

[@bernieob9577]

No, I think he is very clever.

[@bigg5582]

Leinster were an embarrassment for irish rugby compared to Munster...

[@fionnmckool]

Who is the ladyboys now, it's in the south of the country.

[@fionnmckool]

Leo will have full squad after Champions cup. Right decision.

[@mainbattlerobot]

How many champions cups do Munster have?

[@amantedellopera1681]

​@@mainbattlerobot😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂nice one,munster supporters have some neck slagging leinster,if leo had sent a slightly stronger team to play munster last year,they would still be waiting to win a trophy

[@patman142]

Silly comment

[@SouthAfricaMCtours]

Although heavily biased towards my home team, The Stormers, and SA teams in general🇿🇦, I do think Leinster may once again be taking a risk that may not pan out. Also would love to hear comments about the press your end taking the Bulls to task regarding sending a second string team...Why have Leinster been spared the same inquisition 🫣

[@FR-je9bw]

Bulls took a second string side to a QF knockout game in THE pre-eminent competition. No comparison.

[@andrewmartinfarrell8167]

Why are you even and all the all the Saffers even listening to this? Does your country have no rugby pods? You guys infest everywhere with your bullshit. It must be the power cuts. Nothi can get done down there 😊