Overthehillprop
@overthehillprop.bsky.social
Munster fan with a voice and sometimes a bigger platform. 1/3 of Provincial State of Mind podcast.
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Ireland - State of the Nation
…And with that, the 2025 Irish international rugby season comes to a close. A year in which Andy Farrell added to his legacy with a Lions series win in Australia ends with a far more uncomfortable rea...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com
Ireland - State of the Nation.
A deep dive on Ireland post autumn series, going through the numbers, the problems and the potential solutions as they face into the 6 Nations and look ahead to the RWC in 2027.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
A deep dive on Ireland post autumn series, going through the numbers, the problems and the potential solutions as they face into the 6 Nations and look ahead to the RWC in 2027.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
Reposted by Overthehillprop
A long read on how Ireland got to this point, why we look like malfunctioning robots and why the new rugby looks so far out of our natural game.
www.patreon.com/posts/150197...
www.patreon.com/posts/150197...
February 8, 2026 at 9:04 AM
A long read on how Ireland got to this point, why we look like malfunctioning robots and why the new rugby looks so far out of our natural game.
www.patreon.com/posts/150197...
www.patreon.com/posts/150197...
Farrell and the IRFU seem to have different views on Bundee.
Will be interesting to see what the outcome of the internal IRFU inquiry will be which is separate to the URC disciplinary committee and if there will be an additional ban.
Will be interesting to see what the outcome of the internal IRFU inquiry will be which is separate to the URC disciplinary committee and if there will be an additional ban.
‘Bundee has apologised’: Andy Farrell says banned Aki is still part of plans and calls on Ireland to be ‘fearless’ in Paris @beltel.bsky.social #SixNations #Rugby #IrelandRugby
‘Bundee has apologised’: Andy Farrell says banned Aki is still part of plans and calls on Ireland to be ‘fearless’ in Paris
Andy Farrell says Bundee Aki has apologised for the repeated outburst against match officials that resulted in him being banned for the first three matches of the Six Nations and insists the centre remains part of his plans.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Farrell and the IRFU seem to have different views on Bundee.
Will be interesting to see what the outcome of the internal IRFU inquiry will be which is separate to the URC disciplinary committee and if there will be an additional ban.
Will be interesting to see what the outcome of the internal IRFU inquiry will be which is separate to the URC disciplinary committee and if there will be an additional ban.
Ahead of tomorrows clash with Glasgow have a read about the rebuild Clayton McMillan is undertaking at Munster, why culture and philosophy matter, the tactics he wants his team to play and where he is likely to strengthen the squad for next season.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
The McMillan Era: Munster’s rebuild and the patience it will demand
To fully understand Clayton McMillan’s appointment as head coach is to realise the type of rebuild Munster need — not a cosmetic refresh, but a structural reset in how the team trains, plays, connects...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Ahead of tomorrows clash with Glasgow have a read about the rebuild Clayton McMillan is undertaking at Munster, why culture and philosophy matter, the tactics he wants his team to play and where he is likely to strengthen the squad for next season.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
An in-depth look at Clayton McMillan, his tactics, philosophy, the rebuild project at Munster and what changes to the squad we can expect for next season.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
The McMillan Era: Munster’s rebuild and the patience it will demand
To fully understand Clayton McMillan’s appointment as head coach is to realise the type of rebuild Munster need — not a cosmetic refresh, but a structural reset in how the team trains, plays, connects...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:02 PM
An in-depth look at Clayton McMillan, his tactics, philosophy, the rebuild project at Munster and what changes to the squad we can expect for next season.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
Reposted by Overthehillprop
Reposted by Overthehillprop
New Article for @allthingsrugbybs.bsky.social ✍️ The Irish Eye
"It’s the season of goodwill, meeting family and friends and tearing lumps out of your interprovincial rivals."
Positives for three, less so for one; here's my takeaways from the weekend.
Enjoy! 🏉 www.allthingsrugby.com/news/the-iri...
"It’s the season of goodwill, meeting family and friends and tearing lumps out of your interprovincial rivals."
Positives for three, less so for one; here's my takeaways from the weekend.
Enjoy! 🏉 www.allthingsrugby.com/news/the-iri...
The Irish Eye: URC Round 8 Recap
It’s the season of goodwill, meeting family and friends and tearing lumps out of your interprovincial rivals. Festive! The opening dish of this annual... | All Things Rugby
www.allthingsrugby.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
New Article for @allthingsrugbybs.bsky.social ✍️ The Irish Eye
"It’s the season of goodwill, meeting family and friends and tearing lumps out of your interprovincial rivals."
Positives for three, less so for one; here's my takeaways from the weekend.
Enjoy! 🏉 www.allthingsrugby.com/news/the-iri...
"It’s the season of goodwill, meeting family and friends and tearing lumps out of your interprovincial rivals."
Positives for three, less so for one; here's my takeaways from the weekend.
Enjoy! 🏉 www.allthingsrugby.com/news/the-iri...
Reposted by Overthehillprop
Jackman: Cullen's Zebo dig borne out of Frawley blow (✍️@RTErugby) #Rugby #BernardJackman #LeoCullen
Jackman: Cullen's Zebo dig borne out of Frawley blow
Bernard Jackman disagrees with Leo Cullen's dig at Simon Zebo at the weekend, but understands where the Leinster head coach's frustration stems from.
www.rte.ie
December 30, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Jackman: Cullen's Zebo dig borne out of Frawley blow (✍️@RTErugby) #Rugby #BernardJackman #LeoCullen
A look at how the game of rugby has changed due to law tweaks, how Irelands tactics have changed since the last RWC and why Irelands development pathways and selection policy at national level have made its set piece extremely vulnerable.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
Are Wales the reason Ireland have a set piece problem?
Ireland may remain at the top of the world rankings but an increasingly unavoidable truth is emerging: Irish rugby has a set-piece problem. And despite headlines focusing on the national side, the iss...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A look at how the game of rugby has changed due to law tweaks, how Irelands tactics have changed since the last RWC and why Irelands development pathways and selection policy at national level have made its set piece extremely vulnerable.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
Ireland - State of the Nation.
A deep dive on Ireland post autumn series, going through the numbers, the problems and the potential solutions as they face into the 6 Nations and look ahead to the RWC in 2027.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
A deep dive on Ireland post autumn series, going through the numbers, the problems and the potential solutions as they face into the 6 Nations and look ahead to the RWC in 2027.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
Ireland - State of the Nation
…And with that, the 2025 Irish international rugby season comes to a close. A year in which Andy Farrell added to his legacy with a Lions series win in Australia ends with a far more uncomfortable rea...
overthehillprop.wixsite.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Ireland - State of the Nation.
A deep dive on Ireland post autumn series, going through the numbers, the problems and the potential solutions as they face into the 6 Nations and look ahead to the RWC in 2027.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
A deep dive on Ireland post autumn series, going through the numbers, the problems and the potential solutions as they face into the 6 Nations and look ahead to the RWC in 2027.
overthehillprop.wixsite.com/website/post...
1. Leinster getting overpowered and losing in SA isn't something to overly worry about but some of the underlying causes will be of concern.
Prendergast kicked really well but when your set piece can't function the advantages gained from his kicks is absolutely minimal.
Prendergast kicked really well but when your set piece can't function the advantages gained from his kicks is absolutely minimal.
September 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
1. Leinster getting overpowered and losing in SA isn't something to overly worry about but some of the underlying causes will be of concern.
Prendergast kicked really well but when your set piece can't function the advantages gained from his kicks is absolutely minimal.
Prendergast kicked really well but when your set piece can't function the advantages gained from his kicks is absolutely minimal.
They say a dog takes on the traits of its owner.
My dog likes to sleep a lot, eat snacks and isn't very social.
So there's that.
My dog likes to sleep a lot, eat snacks and isn't very social.
So there's that.
September 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
They say a dog takes on the traits of its owner.
My dog likes to sleep a lot, eat snacks and isn't very social.
So there's that.
My dog likes to sleep a lot, eat snacks and isn't very social.
So there's that.
Lions stats
Tour wins
vs Oz, 8 wins from 10 tours, 80% win rate
vs SA, 4 wins from 19 tours, 28.5% win rate
vs NZ, 1 win from 12, 8.3% win rate
Tests wins
vs Oz, 19 wins from 25 games, 76%
vs SA, 18 wins from 49 games, 36.7%
vs NZ, 7 wins from 41 games, 17%
Tour wins
vs Oz, 8 wins from 10 tours, 80% win rate
vs SA, 4 wins from 19 tours, 28.5% win rate
vs NZ, 1 win from 12, 8.3% win rate
Tests wins
vs Oz, 19 wins from 25 games, 76%
vs SA, 18 wins from 49 games, 36.7%
vs NZ, 7 wins from 41 games, 17%
July 28, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Lions stats
Tour wins
vs Oz, 8 wins from 10 tours, 80% win rate
vs SA, 4 wins from 19 tours, 28.5% win rate
vs NZ, 1 win from 12, 8.3% win rate
Tests wins
vs Oz, 19 wins from 25 games, 76%
vs SA, 18 wins from 49 games, 36.7%
vs NZ, 7 wins from 41 games, 17%
Tour wins
vs Oz, 8 wins from 10 tours, 80% win rate
vs SA, 4 wins from 19 tours, 28.5% win rate
vs NZ, 1 win from 12, 8.3% win rate
Tests wins
vs Oz, 19 wins from 25 games, 76%
vs SA, 18 wins from 49 games, 36.7%
vs NZ, 7 wins from 41 games, 17%
If anyone has 2 seated tickets for Lewis Capaldi in Dublin hit me up.
Can swap for 2 tickets to Benson Boone if that works.
#ticketfairy
Can swap for 2 tickets to Benson Boone if that works.
#ticketfairy
July 22, 2025 at 4:36 PM
If anyone has 2 seated tickets for Lewis Capaldi in Dublin hit me up.
Can swap for 2 tickets to Benson Boone if that works.
#ticketfairy
Can swap for 2 tickets to Benson Boone if that works.
#ticketfairy
1. Aussies missing some big bodies in the forwards.
I reckon if the Lions play direct and limit their passing game to when they've earnt the right to go wide they can overpower that Aussie side.
I reckon if the Lions play direct and limit their passing game to when they've earnt the right to go wide they can overpower that Aussie side.
July 17, 2025 at 5:37 AM
1. Aussies missing some big bodies in the forwards.
I reckon if the Lions play direct and limit their passing game to when they've earnt the right to go wide they can overpower that Aussie side.
I reckon if the Lions play direct and limit their passing game to when they've earnt the right to go wide they can overpower that Aussie side.
Reposted by Overthehillprop
A short personal announcement from me:
Looking ahead to the incoming season, I would love to provide a publication/TV company with analysis on upcoming fixtures.
Can do it in English or as Gaeilge; whichever suits.
Have done so for Tuairisc and TG4 in the past.
Shares welcome.
Looking ahead to the incoming season, I would love to provide a publication/TV company with analysis on upcoming fixtures.
Can do it in English or as Gaeilge; whichever suits.
Have done so for Tuairisc and TG4 in the past.
Shares welcome.
July 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A short personal announcement from me:
Looking ahead to the incoming season, I would love to provide a publication/TV company with analysis on upcoming fixtures.
Can do it in English or as Gaeilge; whichever suits.
Have done so for Tuairisc and TG4 in the past.
Shares welcome.
Looking ahead to the incoming season, I would love to provide a publication/TV company with analysis on upcoming fixtures.
Can do it in English or as Gaeilge; whichever suits.
Have done so for Tuairisc and TG4 in the past.
Shares welcome.
1. The Lions was, and generally still is, seen as the best of the best moulded together.
Gatland and Farrell moved away from that with the Geography 6 and the Not the Geography 6.
They are going with players they know to fit systems or players close to solve a short term problem
Gatland and Farrell moved away from that with the Geography 6 and the Not the Geography 6.
They are going with players they know to fit systems or players close to solve a short term problem
July 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM
1. The Lions was, and generally still is, seen as the best of the best moulded together.
Gatland and Farrell moved away from that with the Geography 6 and the Not the Geography 6.
They are going with players they know to fit systems or players close to solve a short term problem
Gatland and Farrell moved away from that with the Geography 6 and the Not the Geography 6.
They are going with players they know to fit systems or players close to solve a short term problem
Reposted by Overthehillprop
Andy Farrell: I'm afraid that Finn Smith has suffered an injury.
Finn Smith: No, I haven't.
Farrell: So I've called up Sam Prendergast as cover.
Smith: I'm honestly fine. I don't know-
*Single gunshot*
Farrell: We wish Finn a speedy recovery.
Finn Smith: No, I haven't.
Farrell: So I've called up Sam Prendergast as cover.
Smith: I'm honestly fine. I don't know-
*Single gunshot*
Farrell: We wish Finn a speedy recovery.
If my maths are correct, and presuming that one or two front rowers can cover different positions...
We are one Sam Prendegast away from a full Leinster Lions 15 and a complete and total meltdown of rugby social media
We are one Sam Prendegast away from a full Leinster Lions 15 and a complete and total meltdown of rugby social media
July 13, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Andy Farrell: I'm afraid that Finn Smith has suffered an injury.
Finn Smith: No, I haven't.
Farrell: So I've called up Sam Prendergast as cover.
Smith: I'm honestly fine. I don't know-
*Single gunshot*
Farrell: We wish Finn a speedy recovery.
Finn Smith: No, I haven't.
Farrell: So I've called up Sam Prendergast as cover.
Smith: I'm honestly fine. I don't know-
*Single gunshot*
Farrell: We wish Finn a speedy recovery.
The focus at the moment for the Lions is on Farrell calling up guys who know "the system" despite those players struggling to make the starting 23 for their club.
Maybe the media should start asking the questions about why Farrell and co struggle to coach the system to non Leinster players?
Maybe the media should start asking the questions about why Farrell and co struggle to coach the system to non Leinster players?
July 13, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The focus at the moment for the Lions is on Farrell calling up guys who know "the system" despite those players struggling to make the starting 23 for their club.
Maybe the media should start asking the questions about why Farrell and co struggle to coach the system to non Leinster players?
Maybe the media should start asking the questions about why Farrell and co struggle to coach the system to non Leinster players?
This is from Sam Warburton's book on the Geography 6.
Will be interesting to hear the reaction to Farrell's call ups on this Lions tour when it's all over.
Winning the test series may cover up a lot of stuff but probably not everything. Lose and most of the dirty laundry gets washed in public.
Will be interesting to hear the reaction to Farrell's call ups on this Lions tour when it's all over.
Winning the test series may cover up a lot of stuff but probably not everything. Lose and most of the dirty laundry gets washed in public.
July 13, 2025 at 8:54 AM
This is from Sam Warburton's book on the Geography 6.
Will be interesting to hear the reaction to Farrell's call ups on this Lions tour when it's all over.
Winning the test series may cover up a lot of stuff but probably not everything. Lose and most of the dirty laundry gets washed in public.
Will be interesting to hear the reaction to Farrell's call ups on this Lions tour when it's all over.
Winning the test series may cover up a lot of stuff but probably not everything. Lose and most of the dirty laundry gets washed in public.
We go live to Hugh Cooney.......
July 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
We go live to Hugh Cooney.......
1. Delighted for Osborne on a personal level but overall the optics on this are bad from a Lions point of view.
Farrell is making a Geography 6 type call up for a guy who isn't first choice for either his club or country & has to fly him in from Portugal to be a training panelist
Farrell is making a Geography 6 type call up for a guy who isn't first choice for either his club or country & has to fly him in from Portugal to be a training panelist
July 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
1. Delighted for Osborne on a personal level but overall the optics on this are bad from a Lions point of view.
Farrell is making a Geography 6 type call up for a guy who isn't first choice for either his club or country & has to fly him in from Portugal to be a training panelist
Farrell is making a Geography 6 type call up for a guy who isn't first choice for either his club or country & has to fly him in from Portugal to be a training panelist
Munster have had a different player captain a Lions team in each of the last 5 Lions tours
2025 - Beirne
2021 - Murray
2017 - POM
2013 - POC
2009 - DOC
2025 - Beirne
2021 - Murray
2017 - POM
2013 - POC
2009 - DOC
July 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Munster have had a different player captain a Lions team in each of the last 5 Lions tours
2025 - Beirne
2021 - Murray
2017 - POM
2013 - POC
2009 - DOC
2025 - Beirne
2021 - Murray
2017 - POM
2013 - POC
2009 - DOC
Front five, centres, half backs, Lowe and Conan just guaranteed their spots for the first test.
Scrum looks impressive (level of opposition taken into account) but maul D looks soft. Chessum doing well but feel Beirne is a safety blanket for Farrell. 2 back 3 spots fairly open.
Scrum looks impressive (level of opposition taken into account) but maul D looks soft. Chessum doing well but feel Beirne is a safety blanket for Farrell. 2 back 3 spots fairly open.
July 9, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Front five, centres, half backs, Lowe and Conan just guaranteed their spots for the first test.
Scrum looks impressive (level of opposition taken into account) but maul D looks soft. Chessum doing well but feel Beirne is a safety blanket for Farrell. 2 back 3 spots fairly open.
Scrum looks impressive (level of opposition taken into account) but maul D looks soft. Chessum doing well but feel Beirne is a safety blanket for Farrell. 2 back 3 spots fairly open.