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OTB Rugby

Introducing 'OTB Rugby' - the home of Rugby from Off The Ball and OTB Sport, where you'll hear the voices of Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Alan Quinlan, Stuart Barnes, Andy Dunne, James Tracy and many more besides.

Subscribe for the most comprehensive audio channel for Rugby that you're going to get anywhere. From legends interviews to live roadshows, analysis, depth charts, reviews, and weekly news.

It's the home of Monday Night Rugby, Wednesday Night Rugby as well as Rugby on Off The Ball Breakfast

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Episodes

Rugby Daily | Eddie Jones back to Japan, Vunipola cleared, O'Mahony won't be risked

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of the appointment of a new Japan head coach. And you'll NEVER guess who it is.... alright, you probably know. Billy Vunipola is cleared to play for Saracens against Connacht this weekend. And Munster say they won't take any risks regarding Peter O'Mahony's fitness.

Dec 13, 20233 minSeason 23Ep. 312

Rugby Daily | Henshaw on Sale, Ulster's Moxham blow, Schmidt for Wallabies job?

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has injury news from Ulster, Leinster and Munster ahead of this weekend's fixtures in the Investec Champions Cup. We hear from Robbie Henshaw and attack coach Andrew Goodman, who look ahead to Leinster's meeting with Sale - a game you can hear live and exclusive on Saturday's Off The Ball. A new Rugby Australia appointment could lead to Joe Schmidt getting the Wallabies job. And France are starting to run low on fit and available scrum-halves ahead of t...

Dec 12, 20236 minSeason 23Ep. 311

The Red 78 Unlocked: Below par Munster struggle against Bayonne, and Exeter Chiefs test on the horizon - Ep.80

Ruairi O’Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look back on a poor performance against Bayonne in the Champions Cup. Fiona and Alan pick their Star of the Week, and we look ahead to a huge clash away to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday. (0.30) Intro (5.00) Review of Munster v Bayonne (23.25) Star of the Week (26.40) Exeter Chiefs Preview The first twenty minutes of this week's podcast is unlocked, but to listen to the full podcast, get on over to the Off The Ball app, or beco...

Dec 12, 202321 minSeason 23Ep. 310

Rugby Daily | Munster ban jersey-tugger, Tucker defends Connacht attitude, Syd Millar RIP

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news aplenty from Munster, who have banned the fan who tugged at the jersey of a Bayonne player on Saturday. We hear from Tadhg Beirne too on that disappointing draw. James Ryan hails the immediate impact of Jacques Nienaber at Leinster following their win at La Rochelle. There's bad news for Connacht regarding Mack Hansen, but coach Colm Tucker hits back at questions of attitude problems within the province. And tributes are paid to former Ir...

Dec 11, 20239 minSeason 23Ep. 309

Rugby Daily | Harry's game for Leinster, O'Gara on French refs, Young Ireland prospects for Italian job

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news from Leinster, Munster and Ulster ahead of their opening fixtures in the Investec Champions Cup. Ronan O'Gara has his say after his latest one-game ban in France. A youthful Combined Academies squad is to face Italian opposition either side of Christmas. And Antoine Dupont hits back at critics of his Sevens switch.

Dec 08, 20239 minSeason 23Ep. 308

Rugby Daily | Bundee's back, Santi the spy, Lions to Dublin, Wallaby defects

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news from Connacht ahead of their Investec Champions Cup meeting with Bordeaux, and we hear from Pete Wilkins regarding some insider knowledge of the Top 14 side. The British & Irish Lions will make history in 2025, with a first visit to Dublin. Plus, Australian rugby is rocked by a major defection to the NRL.

Dec 07, 20236 minSeason 23Ep. 301

Rugby Daily | Baird talks to OTB, EPCR move to protect refs, Provinces' govt boosts

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of EPCR measures to protect referees from online abuse ahead of this season's Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. We hear from Leinster forward Ryan Baird and Connacht coach Mark Sexton with both provinces featuring in exclusive games this weekend on Off The Ball. Plus, three provinces benefit from a boost in government funding.

Dec 06, 20237 minSeason 23Ep. 299

Rugby Daily | Nienaber speaks to OTB, Byrne a Six Nations doubt, Reilly surgery

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you injury news from three provinces ahead of their opening fixtures in this season's Investec Champions Cup. New Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber speaks to OTB for the first time, but there's bad news on the injury front for Ross Byrne. The refereeing appointments for the Six Nations have been revealed. While Joe Schmidt is in the frame for an international vacancy.

Dec 05, 20238 minSeason 23Ep. 298

The Red 78 Unlocked: Warriors defeated, Ahern shines, and Bayonne battle ahead in Thomond - Ep. 79

Ruairi O’Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look back on the Reds’ win over Glasgow Warriors at a bitterly cold Musgrave Park. Certainly a lot to discuss with six tries, some excellent performances, but some serious worries about Munster’s maul defence. Fiona and Alan pick their Star of the Week, there’s a preview of the clash with Bayonne, and Quinny recalls in the infamous ‘Battle of Bayonne’ in 2007, with Ireland involved in a bruising World Cup warm up game ag...

Dec 05, 202321 minSeason 23Ep. 297

Rugby Daily: Kleyn blow for Munster | Connacht's Aki boost

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Will O'Callaghan has the injury news from the provinces at the start of the opening weekend of this season's Champions Cup. Jean Kleyn is out until January but Bundee Aki is in line to return for Connacht. Plus, New Zealand have secured the future of one of their stars until the end of the next World Cup.

Dec 04, 20236 minSeason 23Ep. 296

Rugby Daily | Mack is back, Ireland's Six Nations nationwide tour, Farrell marked absent

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has all the team news ahead of tomorrow's interpro in Galway. Mack is back for Connacht, while a much-changed Leinster will herald Cian Healy's return. The Ulster faithful will get a first look at Steven Kitshoff. Ireland are to tour the provinces again in next year's Women's Six Nations. Plus, Farrell misses latest Saracens outing.

Dec 01, 20235 minSeason 23Ep. 295

LUNCHTIME WRAP: Kelleher gets Liverpool nod, Jager set for Munster debut

On Thursday's Lunchtime Wrap on Off The Ball, Jurgen Klopp backs Coaimhín Kelleher to step up in the absence of Allison, Denise O'Sullivan on whether or not a move to the WSL would tempt her, Oli Jager set for his Munster debut and Tiger Woods returns to competitive golf. In association with the Department of Justice.

Nov 30, 20237 minSeason 23Ep. 293

The Red 78 Unlocked: Positive performance at the Aviva, new contracts and O’Mahony stands down as skipper - Ep. 78

Ruairi O’Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look back on the Reds’ defeat to Leinster and the positive aspects of the performance. Fiona and Alan pick their Star of the Week, there’s a preview of the clash with table toppers Glasgow in Cork, we talk about new deals for Munster stars and we discuss Peter O’Mahony standing down as captain. (0.30) Intro (5.00) Review of Leinster v Munster (21.45) Star of the Week (26.17) Glasgow Warriors Preview (40.00) Stephen Arche...

Nov 28, 202322 minSeason 23Ep. 276

Rugby Daily: Leinster and Munster name teams for URC derby, Steven Kitshoff on Ulster's prospects, Northampton's positive financial news

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Cathal Mullaney brings you the team news from all four Irish provinces ahead of the weekend's URC action. Jeremy Loughman and Sean O'Brien look ahead to Leinster's clash with Munster on Saturday. Steven Kitshoff sets out his intent as he gets set to make his Ulster debut. And after a difficult year for the Premiership, Northampton Saints' report a better financial picture.

Nov 24, 20236 minSeason 23Ep. 273

Rugby Daily | Farrell on Farrell, Ringrose talks up Prendergast, Kinghorn to France

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the best of Eoin Sheahan's interviews from the launch of the Investec Champions Cup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. We hear from Craig Casey and Garry Ringrose ahead of Saturday's clash of Leinster and Munster at the Aviva. Paul Boyle offers unique insight to the Pete Wilkins revolution at Connacht. Stuart McCloskey on what motivates him at Ulster. Blair Kinghorn is off to France. And the police get involved in the Ugo Monye racism case....

Nov 22, 202313 minSeason 23Ep. 271

The Red 78 Unlocked: Stormers beaten, Leinster on the horizon and a debut for Oli Jager? - Ep. 77

Ruairi O’Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look back on the Reds’ win over the Stormers. Fiona and Alan pick their Star of the Week, there’s a preview of the huge clash with Leinster, and we go through the 2023 Munster Rugby Awards. (0.30) Intro (4.00) Review of Munster v Stormers (22.25) Star of the Week (28.17) Leinster preview (36.48) Oli Jager to start? (42.20) 2023 Munster Rugby Awards Get in contact on Twitter @rugbychannel15 or email therugbychannel@bauerm...

Nov 21, 202323 minSeason 23Ep. 269

Rugby Daily | Doris on Munster challenge, France coaching shake-up, Ousted RA chair bites back

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the major fitness updates from the provinces ahead of a huge week of action in the URC. We hear from Caelan Doris on Leinster's date with Munster at the Aviva. The Celtic Challenge is to morph into an expanded format, and pretty soon too. The France coaching ticket is poised for major upheaval ahead of the Six Nations. More tragedy befalls South African rugby, as a fifth member of their 1995 World Cup-winning team dies. And could Maro Itoje be...

Nov 20, 20237 minSeason 23Ep. 268

Rugby Daily | A shot of Jager Munster, Herring & Henderson return, Jaminet transfer

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of three new arrivals at Munster, including Irish-qualified tighthead, Oli Jager. There's team news ahead of Ulster's URC date with the Lions. Taine Basham's received a ban for his challenge on Ross Byrne. And Melvyn Jaminet is on the move in France.

Nov 16, 20233 minSeason 23Ep. 266

Rugby Daily | Dupont to miss Six Nations, World Cup trophy survives break-in, World Rugby snap back at Smith try claims

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you that incredible news that Antoine Dupont is to sacrifice the Six Nations in pursuit of an Olympic dream. World Rugby fire back at claims an Aaron Smith try during the World Cup final should have stood. The Webb Ellis trophy survives a break-in in South Africa, as one of its winners has his season ended by a knee injury.

Nov 15, 20233 minSeason 23Ep. 265

The Red 78 Unlocked: Ulster victorious, Stormers in Limerick and a tribute to Andrew Conway - Ep. 76

Ruairi O’Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look back on the Reds’ defeat to Ulster in Belfast. Fiona and Alan pick their Star of the Week, there’s a preview of the URC Grand Final rematch with Stormers and we pay tribute to Andrew Conway. (0.30) Intro (4.40) Review of Ulster v Munster (27.23) Star of the Week (29.48) Stormers preview (38.42) Andrew Conway’s retirement (41.40) Oli Jager on his way to Munster? The first twenty minutes of this week's podcast is unlo...

Nov 14, 202321 minSeason 23Ep. 264

Rugby Daily | WRU apologises for 'toxic' culture, Van der Flier on World Cup heartache, France lock facing longer sentence

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, we hear from Josh van der Flier as he prepares to make his Leinster return. The Ireland back row discusses his World Cup heartache, and how he's recovered. The WRU has apologised after an independent review found elements of the union harboured a racist, sexist, misogynistic and homophobic culture without being tackled. The first domino has fallen in Rugby Australia's centralisation plan. And France lock Bastien Chalureau is facing a longer sentence than first handed to...

Nov 14, 20237 minSeason 23Ep. 263
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