RTÉ Rugby Podcast

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we look back on a pair of disappointing Champions and Challenge Cup final defeats for Leinster and Ulster.
We kick the show off on a positive note, with Gareth giving us his quick run through of his time with Ireland during the Women's Six Nations, before we discuss the brilliant scenes of celebrations after Bordeaux's Champions Cup victory.
The panel break down just where things went wrong for Leinster in the first half of their 41-19 defeat in Bilbao, as they gave up five tries and 35 points in the opening 40 minutes, while Bernard also takes a closer look at the big contrast in how the two coaching teams operated on the day.
We discuss Ulster's painful Challenge Cup final defeat to Montpellier, and how this season will be viewed after Richie Murphy's side missed out on a play-off spot and Champions Cup qualification.
And we take a quick look at how Connacht and Munster are shaping up for their URC quarter-finals this weekend.
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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy to look ahead to this weekend's Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals in Bilbao, while Hannah O'Connor recaps Ireland's big finish to the Guinness Women's Six Nations.
The panel break down the key talking points ahead of Leinster's latest shot at winning the Champions Cup (02:50), with Leo Cullen's side taking on defending champions Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday afternoon.
We look at how Ulster face a season-defining Challenge Cup decider against Montpellier on Friday night, while Bernard also brings us up to speed on the province's new forwards coach, Clarke Dermody (21:45).
The podcast goes back over Munster's vital win against the Lions last Saturday (37:50), which has secured Clayton McMillan's side a play-off spot and Champions Cup qualification.
Connacht, meanwhile, will have to wait to see if their top-half finish is enough for Champions Cup rugby next season (49:15), although Stuart Lancaster's side did secure their play-off spot, as they continue their impressive form.
Later, Hannah O'Connor joins Neil to discuss Ireland's comprehensive 54-5 win against Scotland to mark an impressive finish to their Women's Six Nations campaign (56:45).
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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy to discuss the URC play-off picture as we head into the final round of the regular season, while Hannah O'Connor looks ahead to Ireland's Women's Six Nations finale against Scotland at Aviva Stadium on Sunday.
Both Bernard and Johne have strong opinions on the independent governance review commissioned by Munster, as the fallout of the Roger Randle saga continues (11:55).
The pair also look ahead to the province's meeting with the Lions at Thomond Park, where they may need to win to secure Champions Cup rugby for next season.
We discuss Connacht's continued growth under Stuart Lancaster (29:40), and how the province are heading in the right direction, whether or not they make the URC play-offs.
The panel recap Ulster's madcap 38-38 draw with the Stormers (38:12), as Richie Murphy's side aim to lock in their play-off spot at home to Glasgow.
Later, Hannah joins Neil as we turn our attention towards the final round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations (48:00), as well as the controversial plans to introduce size 4.5 balls by World Rugby in the women's game (1:11:55).
To learn more about Johne Murphy's Marathon for MND, visit the link below: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXXU0zvDZ9Y/
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Neil Treacy is joined by Brett Igoe and Jonny Holland as we look back on Leinster and Ulster's Champions and Challenge Cup semi-final wins, while Hannah O'Connor looks ahead to Ireland's Guinness Women's Six Nations meeting with Wales.
We start by recapping Leinster's 29-25 win against Toulon which has booked them a Champions Cup final date with Bordeaux-Begles in Bilbao, with Leinster's attack looking as sharp as it has all season, but question marks still remain about their discipline, with two more yellow cards picked up.
The panel also discusses Ulster's impressive Challenge Cup semi-final win against Exeter Chiefs (29:40), as Richie Murphy's side go in search of their first silverware for 20 years, with particular praise for Jude Postlethwaite and Jack Murphy.
And we preview a huge Interpro in Galway on Saturday night, as Connacht host Munster with a play-off spot on the line (42:20).
Later, Neil is joined by Hannah O'Connor (55:35) as Ireland return from the Women's Six Nations fallow week against Wales in Belfast on Saturday evening, with Scott Bemand's side looking to finish their campaign on a high across the next two weekends.
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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy to preview Leinster's Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon, as well as recapping the rest of the provincial action, while Hannah O'Connor looks back on Ireland's Guinness Women's Six Nations defeat to France.
The panel discuss the 'scar tissue' carried by Leinster into another Champions Cup semi-final, as well as their surprise defeat to Benetton in Italy last week, which will at least guard against any complacency.
We look ahead to Ulster's Challenge Cup semi-final with Exeter Chiefs on Saturday (20:50), as Richie Murphy's side continued to fall further down the URC table with a heavy defeat to Munster.
Meanwhile, that win for Munster (31:30) came at a big cost with multiple injuries, but Clayton McMillan's side look within touching distance of confirming Champions Cup qualification, ahead of next week's trip to Connacht (38:10), who will need a big finish to the season.
The panel also discuss the finals weekend in the Energia All-Ireland League, as St Mary's ended their long wait for a Division 1A title (41:20).
Later (57:50), Hannah joins Neil to recap a pulsating Women's Six Nations clash between France and Ireland in Clermont, as Scott Bemand's side paid for wasting multiple first half chances in a 26-7 defeat.
To learn more about Johne Murphy's Marathon for MND, visit: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXXU0zvDZ9Y/
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