The Left Wing · Irish Independent

The Lions wrap-up | Rating the Irish players and Australia's regrets

·1 hr 11 min·7 clips

Joe Schmidt's gamble to bench Will Skelton in the first test nearly cost Australia the series, sparking intense debate.

This episode reviews the British and Irish Lions' 2-1 series victory over Australia. Host Will Slattery is joined by analysts Luke Fitzgerald and Jonathan Bradley for a final season wrap-up. They assess the tour's key moments and lingering questions. The hosts analyze Australia's 22-12 victory in a rain-affected third test, noting a perceived lack of Lions urgency. Luke Fitzgerald criticizes the Lions' line-out choices and suggests fresher players like Josh van der Flier could have been used. Will Skelton's powerful performance for Australia is highlighted as decisive in the wet conditions. The conversation shifts to Australian coach Joe Schmidt's controversial selections, particularly his choice to withhold Skelton from the first test. Fitzgerald argues that having Skelton for 66% of the series might have been better than risking his fitness. The panel agrees the series hinged on pivotal moments, especially Hugo Keenan's late try to win the second test for the Lions. They debate whether Australia, with a fully fit squad from the start, would have won the series. Jonathan Bradley suggests winning this series would have been Schmidt's greatest coaching achievement. The hosts then use a Roy O'Connor article ranking 18 Irish Lions as a framework for discussion. They begin with Tadhg Beirne, named Lions Player of the Series, who played every minute of all three tests. Bradley calls Beirne a "test match animal" and credits Andy Farrell's selection gamble on him and Tom Curry as series-defining. A surprising insight is that losing the final test might enhance the Lions' legacy by making the series seem more competitive. Fitzgerald believes a 3-0 sweep would have led to a narrative that Australia were simply poor. The panel notes the rarity of a 3-0 away series win against a top-tier nation. They also observe that several key refereeing decisions, like a missed Tadhg Furlong card and a disallowed Dan Sheehan try, seemed to go against the home team. The discussion contrasts the coaching styles of Andy Farrell and Joe Schmidt, with Fitzgerald arguing Farrell is a superior team selector. He describes Schmidt as a brilliant technical coach who elevates average players but can be overly conservative with selections. Fitzgerald recalls being amazed by Schmidt's detailed, analytical approach to breaking down the game during his playing days. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending post-match reaction with deeper strategic evaluation. The style is insider-focused, with the hosts drawing on personal playing and media experience. Rugby enthusiasts who enjoy detailed tactical breakdowns and post-tour analysis will love this episode. Listeners seeking only celebratory content or narrative storytelling might find it too focused on retrospective critique.

As heard by us

A season-ending Lions debrief that places Sydney's result within the larger tour story.

The Left Wing closes its Lions coverage with a tidy, measured wrap-up that takes stock of the six-week tour, the 2-1 series win, and Sydney's fitting final word.

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Why you'd press play

For the listener who wants the Lions tour judged, not wrapped in slogans.

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