RTÉ Rugby Podcast

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on the first RTÉ Rugby podcast of 2026, as we look back on wins for Ulster and Leinster in the New Year Interpros.First up, we take a look at another impressive Ulster win, as they enjoyed an emphatic 28-3 win against Munster.It continues a fine start to the season for Richie Murphy's side, who have undergone a complete rebuild in the last two seasons.We also look at which Ulster players may have caught the eye of Ireland coach Andy Farrell as the Six Nations looms.The podcast also discusses Munster's recent struggle for form, and how head coach Clayton McMillan looks set to make some ruthless calls as he begins to settle on his best team.We break down an impressive Leinster performance as they hammered Connacht at Aviva Stadium, with the same old failings for Stuart Lancaster's side.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Winterpro season on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, as Neil Treacy and Bernard Jackman break down the key points from this week's URC Irish derbies.We look back at Leinster's win against Munster at Thomond Park, which was full of blood and thunder, but light on quality.Munster's Tadhg Beirne is the latest player to voice his frustration with the way rugby is currently being played, but Bernard is growing frustrated at how it only seems to be people in Irish rugby who are struggling to adapt to the current trends.We look at the big news from Connacht, who confirmed the signing of Ciarán Frawley for next season, and we ask whether more players will follow the versatile Leinster back in making a cross-province transfer this season.And we also give Ulster their credit, as Richie Murphy's side continue their impressive start to the season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Brett Igoe on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast to recap the big rugby news of the week.We look back at a pair of wins for Leinster and Munster in the Investec Champions Cup, both of which had a common thread of Irish sides struggling to convert from inside the 22.We discuss how Leinster can better utilise the skills of their All Black signing Rieko Ioane, and whether the glass is half full or half empty for Leo Cullen's side after their dogged win at Welford Road.The panel looks at Ulster's chances in this Friday night's big Interpro at Aviva Stadium, and ask whether Ulster out-half Jack Murphy could make a play for an Ireland call-up.Off the back of Conor Bartley's impressive cameo for Munster at the weekend, we wonder whether the provinces are starting to put more stock in using the All Ireland League as a development tool.And we look ahead to an important run of games for Connacht under new head coach Stuart Lancaster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast to discuss a mixed week of results for the Irish provinces in the Investec Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.We start this week's pod with a long conversation about the impact the kicking game currently has in rugby, sparked by recent criticism of how rugby has become kick and stoppage-heavy as a result of World Rugby's clampdown on 'escorting'.We then look back on the weekend's opening block of games in Europe, starting with how Munster capitulated in the opening quarter against Bath at The Rec (25:45).Attention then turns to Leinster, who Gareth believes are steadily building their season, after a 45-28 win against Harlequins (36:05).We pick out some of the Ulster players who impressed in their 61-7 hammering of Racing 92 in the Challenge Cup (43:55), while we also look over a deeply frustrating afternoon at the office for Connacht, who lost 24-21 away to Ospreys, despite leading the game 21-0 (49:00).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Treacy is joined on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to recap the big stories of the week in the world of rugby.We discuss the major news of the day from the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw, where Ireland will face Scotland, Portugal and Uruguay in Pool D, and we break down how Ireland's path through the tournament could look, depending on where they finish in the pool.We also discuss Even Etzebeth's red card for eye-gouging from South Africa's win against Wales last weekend, while we talk through another frustrating injury layoff for Mack Hansen, who has undergone surgery on a foot issue.Bernard and Jonny speak up in defence of Jacques Nienaber, after the Leinster senior coach was criticised for leaving the door open around a potential return to the Springboks for the World Cup.And we take a look ahead at the start of the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cups, which begin this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.