Rugby On Off The Ball

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look at the impressive win over the Dragons, the Reds' new signings, the search for the new head coach and there's a look ahead to the Six Nations as well!

Welcome to Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast.Things got started with a look back at last night's Champions League action, Jhon Duran's potential move to Saudi Arabia and some rugby chat. The former Celtic, Monaco, Fulham and Scotland midfielder John Collins joined us then to reflect on Celtic's Champions League campaign and a little bit about his own illustrious playing career. On the Gaelic Football front, former Kerry footballer and coach Mike Quirke joined the lads to consider the implementation of the new Gaelic football rules and why he thinks patience is required. Up first though, we'll hear from the top of this morning's show where Ger and Colm discussed today's reports that Sam Prendergast is set to start for Ireland against England, and hear from English Rugby World Cup winner about just how good he thinks the young Irish out-half might be. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfa

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Tadhg Beirne on whether last year’s heartbreaking defeat at Twickenham still lingers for the Ireland players,France welcome a huge name back to their team for Friday’s Six Nations opener with Wales,And Munster poach two young Leinster stars ahead of next season.Rugby Daily with Bank of Ireland - #NeverStopCompeting

Ger & Colm are joined by former Ireland international Anna Caplice to look ahead to Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England on Saturday!Off The Ball Breakfast w/ Optimum Nutrition | #unlockmoreyouCatch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app.SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/joinOff The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, we hear from Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman bid farewell to Portugal and return to Dublin ahead of their Six Nations opener against England on Saturday,England name their team for the trip to the Aviva Stadium with a surprise debutant on the wing,Andy Farrell brings in a couple of familiar faces as he starts putting together his backroom team for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia,And Wales scrum consultant Adam Jones insists there is no bad blood between him and head coach Warren Gatland.Rugby Daily with Bank of Ireland - #NeverStopCompeting

It's the opening week of the Six Nations and Will O'Callaghan. has the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of the three-in-a-row chasers hosting England on Saturday.David Humphries has provided an update on Tadhg Furlong's fitness, Paul O'Connell insists that Leinster players aren't getting favourable treatment and England have a big fitness boost ahead of their trip to Dublin.And could the Six Nations ended up behind a paywall? In the UK at least...

On a bumper Friday edition of Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack takes you into Ireland camp as we hear from Paul O'Connell. Dan Sheehan is back for Leinster after his ACL injury, and we hear from Leo Cullen on the hooker's recovery and those rumours regarding Rabah Slimani. Ben O'Connor is to make his first start for Munster, with their CEO providing an update on their search for a new head coach. John Cooney will make a landmark appearance for Ulster on Sunday. And Pete Wilkins calls for consistency from his Connacht side.

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you more of Simon Easterby's media briefing at the Six Nations launch, where he talked about Jonathan Sexton's role among the coaching set-up, and the gap in philosophy between Leinster and Ireland. Richie has the latest on Rabah Slimani's contract status at Leinster. We hear from Stormers head coach John Dobson on the club's link to their home city of Cape Town. Netflix has cut the cord on the Six Nations documentary 'Full Contact'. Another key player has added to Scotland's injury list. And Nicolas Sanchez has called time on a storied career.

In case you missed it, here is episode one from our Settle In Series, as a bonus listen for all of our GAA Fans!Former Ireland international and coach Linda Gorman joined Eoin Sheahan to discuss how she’s tackling ageism in sport by encouraging more people to take up walking football and she also discussed how much support for the women’s game in Ireland has changed since she played on the first ever WNT over 50 years ago.‘Settle in’ in partnership with Guinness 0.0.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of the dates and kick-off times for the last-16 fixtures in the Investec Champions Cup. We hear from Dan Soper, Pete Wilkins and Alan Quinlan on the road ahead for three of the provinces. Six Nations organisers have confirmed several rule trials will be in place for this year's competition. Two of the players jailed as part of the Grenoble rape trial are seeking their release. And Bill Sweeney refuses to step down as RFU CEO.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the cracking contest between the Reds and Northampton, facing La Rochelle in France, their Star of the Week and this weekend's clash with the Dragons. 

Welcome to Tuesday's Rugby Daily, where Richie McCormack takes us to the Six Nations launch in Rome. We hear from interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby, as well as captain Caelan Doris. England are the latest country hit by the injury plague doing the rounds, and we speak to their new captain Maro Itoje. Another Scotland player has succumb to injury too. Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper explains his new role with the province. And three Munster youngsters have signed new deals.

In case you missed it, here is episode four from our Settle In Series, as a bonus listen for all of our Rugby Fans!Nathan Murphy sat down with Tham & Nhat Nguyen to talk about their incredible journey from Vietnam to Ireland to performing on the world's biggest stage.While they once thought they'd never see each other again, they're now supporting each other through this new stage of life.Settle In is brought to you by Guinness 0.0.

In case you missed it, here is episode Three from our Settle In Series, as a bonus listen for all of our Rugby Fans!Nathan Murphy sat down with Tham & Nhat Nguyen to talk about their incredible journey from Vietnam to Ireland to performing on the world's biggest stage.While they once thought they'd never see each other again, they're now supporting each other through this new stage of life.Settle In is brought to you by Guinness 0.0.Eoin Sheahan was joined by former long distance runner Catherina McKiernan who has won marathons across Europe as well as medalling at World and European Cross County Championships.She dives into whether she has any regrets when reflecting on her illustrious career and what life post-competing has been like.Settle In is brought to you by Guinness 0.0.

Welcome to Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. This morning on the show, The Athletic's Matt Slater joined us to discuss Manchester United's lack of spending power as part of a wider INEOS trend. Finn Harps' manager and CEO joined us to share their ambitious plans for the Donegal club. And after facing his former side at the Aviva on Saturday, Ross Molony dialled in from Bath. And that's where we take our Bite this morning, with the start of that Ross Molony chat, and then into a discussion around the social media abuse that's forced Leinster to take action. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of a double blow to Scotland's Six Nations hopes. We also get the Leinster view of their Investec Champions Cup draw to play Harlequins. Yet another frontline Munster player succumbs to injury. And Pete Wilkins on Connacht's familiar route to a potential Challenge Cup final.

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the all-important team news for Munster and Leinster's final pool fixtures in the Investec Champions Cup. We hear from Leinster head coach Leo Cullen on his decision to start Garry Ringrose on the wing against Bath. Conor Murray on the enmity that's built up between Munster and Northampton. Plus, Munster are making a move for an England international centre.

Welcome to Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast.Former Republic of Ireland winger Keith Treacy joined Colm on hosting duties this morning, with Andy Mitten reflecting on Amad Diallo's win over Southampton in the Premier League.Nathan was at Ipswich-Brighton last night and gave his view of the Irish performances on show at Portman Road.And we speak to Peter Ryan - talented hurler turned Paralympic cyclist.But this morning's Breakfast Bite gives you a sample of this morning's rugby coverage - first, Ronan O'Gara reflects on La Rochelle's defeat to Leinster, and then Alan Quinlan gives his view of the Ireland Six Nations squad.Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest team news from Ulster ahead of their Investec Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs. We also hear from prop Eric O'Sullivan in the week he extended his stay at the province. Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins keeps changes to a minimum for their Challenge Cup trip to Cardiff. And Les Kiss appears to rule himself out of potentially replacing Joe Schmidt as Wallabies head coach later this year.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack tells you who's in, and who's out, of Simon Easterby's squad for the upcoming Six Nations. There's a recall after five-and-a-bit years to the France squad for Leinster's Rabah Slimani. We hear from Gregor Townsend who has named two uncapped players in his Scotland squad. Ulster have formalised the return to the province of a former player, as two more of their current squad extend their stays. Plus, we hear from Ulster forwards coach Jimmy Duffy on what needs doing against Exeter.Plus, the 'Hail Mary' call that's brought Michael Hooper out of retirement in Japan.