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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Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley on this week's RTE Rugby podcast, as we look back on a tough start to the URC for the four Irish provinces.

Former Munster out-half Keatley reacts to some explosive comments from his former captain Peter O'Mahony on the current state of Munster Rugby, and agrees that changes are needed in the way the organisation is run if they are to get back to former glory.

The ex-Ireland international also recaps the province's defeat to Glasgow Warriors last Saturday, where he was encouraged by some elements of their game, in spite of the 26-20 loss.

We look at Leinster's defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg, and pick out some of the positives Leo Cullen may have taken from a game where his side picked up two losing-bonus points.

We analyse how Connacht were worn down in the final quarter by a powerful Stormers side in Galway on Friday night, and we look at how Ulster face a daunting trip to Glasgow as they try to rebound from their defeat to Edinburgh.

00:00 - Hitting the panic button after four defeats for the provinces?

05:25 - Ian reacts to Peter O'Mahony's comments on how Munster Rugby is run

15:00 - Some positives in spits of defeat for Munster?

18:20 - Signs of a new style of playing with Munster?

22:50 - Caelan Doris reported to be out until the new year

24:45 - Leinster pick up two bonus-points - will Leo Cullen be satisfied with that?

33:00 - Connacht ground down by relentless Stormers

35:15 - Have Irish teams got an issue playing the South Africans?

41:10 - How much is Ian reading into Ulster's shocking 50 minutes against Edinburgh?

48:30 - WXV with Hannah O'Connor

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Neil Treacy is joined by former Munster wing Johne Murphy on a new season of the RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we breakdown all four provinces ahead of the 2026/27 URC season.

02:03 - Leo Cullen's final season in charge of Leinster

07:45 - Is the Leinster job Felipe Contepomi's to lose?

11:30 - Leinster's season prospects

20:45 - The Peter O'Mahony and Graham Rowntree 'pen' story

28:15 - Munster's season hit by out-half injury crisis

33:30 - Will we see a change in approach from Munster?

37:30 - The vibes are high in Connacht

44:00 - Lancaster's vote of confidence

46:30 - Connacht's summer transfer activity

49:30 - Champions Cup has to be the target for Ulster

51:30 - Richie Murphy beefing up his squad

58:05 - Johne Murphy's players to watch this season

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Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on the final RTÉ Rugby podcast of the season, as we recap Ireland's Nations Championship tour, and their 40-21 defeat to New Zealand.

We look into some of the "uncharacteristic" errors that littered the opening half of their defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park, which ensured they were always chasing the game on Saturday.

Jonny looks at how New Zealand out-half Ruben Love dictated the All Blacks tempo, while we look at the out-half picture in Ireland heading into a World Cup year.

We put a microscope over some of the contentious refereeing decisions from Eden Park on Saturday, and ask whether Ireland have a right to feel aggrieved by the yellow card for Luke Jacobson in the first half.

And we discuss which players could force their way into the Irish team next season, as Ireland look to close the gap on South Africa, France and New Zealand.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro

05:00 - Have Ireland fallen behind the Big 3 in world rugby?

08:30 - Ireland's uncharacteristic errors

19:00 - Ruben Love's influence for the All Blacks

23:00 - Ireland's out-half picture after this season

27:40 - Ireland's refereeing frustrations

46:25 - How do we look back on Ireland's season as a whole?

50:50 - Who could be Ireland's breakout star next season?

56:30 - Is Jonny confident Ireland can iron out their issues?

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Ahead of the All Blacks Test in Auckland Hugh Cahill is joined by Bernard Jackman in studio, with Neil Treacy dialling in from New Zealand.

The lads discuss Ireland's patchy performance against Japan and look ahead to the challenge of trying to snap the All Blacks' incredible winning run at Eden Park.

They also consider the contrast between New Zealand's decisiveness in hiring Dave Rennie and Australia's slow handover from Joe Schmidt to Les Kiss.

Finally there is an interesting exchange between Bernard and Neil regarding the latter's interview with IRFU performance director David Humphrey's last week.

TIMESTAMPS

0:30 Ireland's disjointed outing against Japan. To be expected or a concern?
6:45 What is behind the lineout issues? Bernard puts it down to an inability to solve problems on the hoof.
12:00 A look at the nascent Dave Rennie All Blacks - lots of talent, lots of speed and very hard to shutdown.
14:00 Fitness update on Robert Baloucoune and Jeremy Loughman. The team will need to be rejigged but Bernard feels it is essential to get pace of Baloucoune in the XV.
20:00 What to do with back row. Can you fit two options on the bench and give Sean Jansen a chance to impact game against his native land?
22:00 Bernard confident team well placed to put it up to All Blacks. Andy Farrell gets big performances when he looks for one. All Blacks a work in progress despite Eden Park record.
25:45 The contrast between Dave Rennie and Les Kiss situations - why did Australia not give Kiss these three Tests to get up to speed ahead of the World Cup?
31:45 David Humphreys interview. Bernard’s comments have been noted by travelling press pack. Neil rejects notion it was a soft interview just because people don’t like the answers.

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Hugh Cahill presents this week's RTÉ Rugby Podcast and is joined by Bernard Jackman in studio, while Neil Treacy dials in from his Sydney hotel room.

The lads dissect Ireland's opening Nations Championship win over Australia and look ahead to Japan this weekend.

They also take a look at the All Blacks' win over a weakened France and South Africa's ruthless display of force against England.

TIMESTAMPS

0'10" Rugby in July - is it strange? How are Ireland feeling at the end of a very long season.

3'20" How did Australia lose that game? Hugh reckons, like the Cork hurlers, winning isn't a habit yet.

8'20" Should Australia have taken that late kick at goal amid ongoing issues at half-back?

12'45" Neil assesses Sam Prendergast's performance as the out-half rebuilds his confidence away from the intense scrutiny of a Six Nations.

17'10" Ciarán Frawley likely to start against Japan as Andy Farrell set to make an unusual number of changes.

18'50" All Blacks remain a work in progress under Dave Rennie.

20'30" England not getting better under Steve Borthwick. Bernard has heard Johann van Graan being sized up as his replacement.

27'10" Springboks' excellence built on battle stats.

34'10" Update on Jeremy Loughman and Irsh health ahead of Japan Test.

36'00" Neil's packing technique versus Moss Keane

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson as we preview the start of Ireland's Nations Championship campaign against Australia in Sydney.

We discuss whether or not the new Nations Championship format will be a success, and discuss some of the travel challenges facing teams in 2026.

The panel break down a couple of the key selection calls Andy Farrell will be dealing with this week ahead of meeting the Wallabies.

And we also pay tribute to former Ireland women's head coach Philip Doyle, who died last week, while also discussing the new tweaks to the Champions Cup for next season.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Will the Nations Championship improve the game?

07:45 - Too much travel for teams?

11:10 - Can Ireland win the Nations Championship?

20:40 - Who starts at out-half against the Wallabies?

33:50 - What will the back row look like with Caelan Doris out?

39:35 - How will the new maul refereeing interpretations affect Ireland?

44:55 - Philip Doyle RIP

48:40 - Tweaks to the Champions Cup

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman, Jake White and Ian Keatley on this week's pod as we recap Leinster's URC title win, Leo Cullen's departure in 2027, and the upcoming Nations Championship.

Jake joins Neil and Bernard to discuss where things went so right for Leinster and so wrong for the Bulls in Friday night's URC final at Croke Park, as the province produced a dominant 36-7 win against their South African opponents.

We also discuss Cullen's announcement this week that he would be leaving his role as Leinster head coach in 2027, after 12 years in charge. And we ask Jake if he will be throwing his CV into the mix!

Later in the pod, Ian comes on to take an early look ahead at Ireland's Nations Championship campaign, which gets under way against Australia in Sydney on 4 July.

We discuss how Sam Prendergast has hit form at the right time as the Test window arrives, as well as running through some of the selection calls faced by Andy Farrell.

And we also pay tribute to Munster prop Oli Jager, who confirmed his retirement from rugby on medical grounds last weekend.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Deja vu for Leinster and the Bulls

05:25 - Costly mistakes from high profile Springboks

13:55 - Leinster's scrum held its own

18:25 - Leo Cullen's Leinster legacy

21:00 - Is Jake White interested in the job?

23:30 - The risks and possible rewards by announcing Cullen's departure so early

30:00 - Sam Prendergast grabs the Bull by its horns

37:30 - How will the Ireland back row look against Australia?

41:15 - Billy Bohan set for his debut?

44:42 - Sam Illo's rise in 2025/26

51:28 - Oli Jager's retirement

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Neil Treacy and Bernard Jackman are joined by a special guest this week, as former South Africa and Bulls head coach Jake White helps us look ahead to the BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final between Leinster and the Bulls.

White, who brought the Bulls to three URC finals during his time in charge (22:00), explains why Leinster remain the "benchmark" for others to follow in the URC, and why the South Africans are better equipped to get the better of Leo Cullen's side in Friday's final at Croke Park (12:15).

The ex-Springboks coach gives us the South African perspective on where this week's final will be won and lost, with a big focus on the scrum (30:35) and the first quarter.

And we also get White thoughts on some of the changing trends in rugby (04:00), as well as putting some listener questions for the World Cup winner (50:30).

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Neil Treacy is joined by Ireland number 8 Aoife Wafer, as she discusses a record breaking Six Nations for Ireland's women, winning a second successive Player of the Championship, and and her belief that Ireland can become the best team in the world.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson, as we look back on Leinster's URC semi-final win against the Stormers, and break down the big stories of the week in Irish rugby.

We start this week's podcast by discussing two great losses to the game in Ireland, paying tribute to former Ireland captain Fergus Slattery, and long-term chief executive of the IRFU, Philip Browne, both of whom passed away in the last week.

The panel breaks down a gritty URC semi-final win for Leinster against the Stormers (06:10), which sets up a Grand Final rematch against the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday, 19 June.

We also react to the confirmation from the province that James Lowe is set to leave Leinster and Ireland at the end of the season (31:17), and ask how both the province and the union allowed this to happen.

Bernard and Gareth give their take on the news that Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has agreed a new four-year contract to lead his side all the way to the Rugby World Cup in 2031 (44:00).

And we also discuss the two recent coaching appointments at Munster (55:30), and Jimmy Duffy and Jared Payne come into Clayton McMillan's coaching ticket for next season.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to recap a week of high drama in Irish rugby, and the URC quarter-finals.

We discuss a couple of heated media exchanges between Leinster head coach Leo Cullen and senior coach Jacques Nienaber in the last week, and ask why Nienaber feels he isn't "valued" in Irish rugby.

Bernard also follows up on his own comments around Leinster's coaching decisions during the Champions Cup final, after Cullen took exception to them at the weekend (27:40).

We ask whether there is any chance James Lowe will be remaining at the province next season (46:00), and ponder what Andy Farrell must be thinking of how the situation has played out.

The panel also looks at Munster and Connacht's URC quarter-final defeats (46:00), and ask why no province has made a move to bring Glasgow Warriors attack coach Nigel Carolan back to Ireland (55:10).

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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.

Want to get in touch with the RTÉ Rugby podcast? Give us an email on sportpodcasts@rte.ie

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