RTÉ Rugby Podcast

Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on this week's RTE Rugby podcast, as we break down the big stories of the week in Irish rugby.
We start this week's podcast with some big breaking new out of Leinster, as they confirm the appointment of Noel McNamara as their next head coach, with the Clare native replacing Leo Cullen at the end of the season.
The podcast quickly recaps the opening block of URC games, with Leinster starting to click into gear, while the other three Irish provinces struggle for consistency in the bottom half of the table.
We look at how Ireland will hope to bridge the gap between themselves and the best teams in the world during the upcoming Nations Championship campaign.
And we discuss some of the selection calls facing Ireland head coach Andy Farrell ahead of Friday night's meeting with Argentina at Aviva Stadium.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Noel McNamara to become Leinster's head coach
16:30 - Leinster's second string hammer Connacht
21:40 - Connacht, Munster and Ulster have a lot to work on
32:25 - How do Ireland bridge the gap to the best in the world?
38:10 - Who starts at 13 for Ireland?
40:19 - Wing decisions
42:35 - The second row and back row mix?
45:40 - Can Joey Carbery break back into the mix?
52:40 - Argentina's threats
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Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley on this week's RTE Rugby podcast to discuss the major fallout from Leinster's win against Munster, while Hannah O'Connor looks back on a 40-27 win for Ireland against South Africa in the WXV.
We look back on the controversy that has followed Leinster's 24-18 win against Munster at Aviva Stadium, where Tadhg Furlong faces a disciplinary hearing after being cited for allegedly grabbing the testicles of Munster's Gavin Coombes.
We also look back on what was a a brilliant Interpro between the sides, but one which leaves Munster facing a crucial meeting with the Sharks on Saturday, as they look to pick up a second URC win of the season before the international break.
Keatley gives his verdict on Dan Sheehan's experiment at number 8, as well as the return of Joey Carbery.
We look ahead to Leinster and Connacht's meeting on Friday night, where Connacht will be feeling the pinch of their international call-ups after a comfortable win against Zebre.
Ulster meanwhile, were left to rue familiar faults as their winless start to the season continued, beaten 34-26 by the Bulls.
Later, Hannah O'Connor joins Neil to recap Ireland's 40-27 win against the Springboks in Cape Town.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Tadhg Furlong's citing
11:40 - Leinster v Munster recap
23:00 - Is Munster's game against the Sharks a 'must-win'?
29:20 - Keatley's verdict on the Dan Sheehan experiment
33:20 - Joey Carbery's Leinster return
40:25 - Connacht trying to find the balance between discipline and defence
43:20 - Are catch and pass skills underrated?
49:30 - Ulster caught by familiar failings
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Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley and Tom Daly on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we look back on a great weekend for the Irish teams in the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
The panel discusses what was a cracking opening weekend across the board in the Champions Cup, as the new bonus-point system had the desired effect.
We ask who could be Ireland's starting number 8 for Ireland in the Nations Championship window, with Jack Conan a doubt for next month's games due to a shoulder injury, while the podcast also looks at how Ireland's out-halves are hitting impressive form at just the right time.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - A thrilling opening weekend in the Investec Champions Cup
06:45 - If Jack Conan is ruled out, who starts at number 8 for Ireland next month
12:15 - Irish out-halves hitting top form
22:12 - Connacht's epic comeback win against Saracens
31:13 - Do Leinster get held to a higher standard than others?
41:00 - Leinster move up a gear against Clermont
45:15 - Munster dig deep to hold off Racing 92
49:01 - Alex Nankivell's new contract
51:15 - Ulster's expectations in South Africa?
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Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley and former Leinster and Connacht centre Tom Daly on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we break down another mixed week for the Irish provinces in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Daly discusses his decision to retire from rugby this summer, after finishing his career with Lansdowne last season.
With maul tries on the up and up in the first few weeks of the season, we ask whether it's becoming too easy to score through that route now that officials have clamped down on defence.
The podcast breaks down an impressive performance from Sam Prendergast in Leinster's 29-5 win against Cardiff last week, as well as a back and forth contest in Belfast between Ulster and Munster.
With Munster set to face Racing 92 in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, Keatley discusses the legacy of his former head coach Anthony Foley, 10 years on from his death.
We also look at the challenge facing Connacht this season as they juggle URC and Champions Cup commitments.
And we finish by considering what impact the tweaks to the bonus-points system will have in this season's Champions Cup.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Tom Daly talks about his decision to retire
07:35 - Is it too easy to score maul tries now?
14:45 - Sam Prendergast's renewed confidence
24:35 - Ulster's attacking game saving their leaky defence
31:10 - Ian Keatley remembers Anthony Foley, 10 years on from his death
35:00 - Poor starts have cost Munster in the Champions Cup in recent seasons
42:40 - Connacht's challenge in the Champions Cup
48:55 - Tweaks to the format of this season's Champions Cup
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Neil Treacy is joined by former Munster wing Johne Murphy as we look back on the big news of the week in Irish rugby.
On a weekend where several Irish out-halves caught the eye, Johne discusses how thrilling it was to see 20-year-old Charlie O'Shea grab the game by the scruff of the neck, as Munster beat the Bulls 26-22 at Thomond Park.
We look ahead to this weekend's first Interpro of the season, as Ulster host Munster on Saturday, with Ulster coming in off the back of a breathless 33-33 draw with Glasgow Warriors.
The podcast looks at Leinster's narrow defeat away to the Bulls last Saturday, which saw Leo Cullen's side heavily penalised at the scrum.
And we recap Connacht's gritty win against Benetton, where Ciarán Frawley marked his debut with a pair of tries in a thrilling display.
Later, Neil is joined by Leinster and Ireland pair Dan Sheehan and then Linda Djougang, ahead of the province's return to Laya Arena against Cardiff on Saturday.
00:00 - Irish out-halves shine
01:25 - Charlie O'Shea announces himself to Thomond Park
10:25 - Jack Aungier locks out Munster's scrum
16:15 - Ulster's crazy draw away to Glasgow Warriors
21:05 - Missed opportunity for Ulster?
24:30 - Johne's thoughts on Jamie Benson?
26:00 - Leinster lose, but nick a bonus-point against Sharks
31:05 - How to fix Irish scrum issues?
40:05 - Caspar Gabriel and Sam Prendergast at out-half
43:05 - Ciarán Frawley's epic Connacht debut
52:05 - Dan Sheehan speaks to the RTÉ Rugby podcast
01:04:38 - Ireland and Leinster prop Linda Djougang
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