On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Ulster ahead of their daunting Investec Champions Cup opener away to Toulouse. We hear from head coach Richie Murphy on Ulster's injury crisis in the back-three, and the old boy they've welcomed back to the fold this week. Jack Crowley discusses the competition for the starting out-half berth with Ireland. And the English RFU is in revolt over bonuses paid to their top brass.
Dec 04, 2024•10 min•Season 24Ep. 514
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of a Super Rugby-winning coaching appointment at Munster. We hear from Jordan Larmour and Robin McBryde on Leinster's Investec Champions Cup pool opener away to Bristol, and the latest on the confusing timeline around Tadhg Furlong's hamstring injury, and hopes for a Jordie Barrett debut. Pete Wilkins discusses Connacht's potential outing in Mayo in the spring. Plus, there's bad news for La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara....
Dec 03, 2024•9 min•Season 24Ep. 511
Welcome to this morning's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, the Gaelic football power rankings return - this time in the hands of Tommy Rooney. The Wayne Rooney Experiment at Plymouth seems to be failing - Chris Errington will tell us why. And the latest on Munster's search for a new head coach with the Irish Daily Mail's Rory Keane. This morning's Breakfast Bite focuses on rugby, and the tradition of respecting the kicker...
Dec 03, 2024•11 min•Season 24Ep. 509
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Munster where centre Alex Nankivell is the latest to commit their next two years to the province. There's interest from France in not one, not two, but three Ireland internationals. We hear for the first time from new Leinster signing Jordie Barrett. Plus, a rape trial is underway in Bordeaux where ex-Ireland centre Chris Farrell, and former Connacht prop Denis Coulson are among the accused.
Dec 02, 2024•9 min•Season 24Ep. 506
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest ahead of Ireland's test with the Wallabies. Captain Caelan Doris pays tribute to record-breaking Cian Healy, and calls on the players to make for a smooth transition as Andy Farrell steps away from Ireland duty. There's a debut in the Munster front row for tomorrow's URC visit of the Emirates Lions to Thomond Park. And Connacht's injury problems are starting to ease as the Vodacom Bulls come to Galway. Plus, there's a big update on ...
Nov 29, 2024•16 min•Season 24Ep. 504
Welcome to Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your bitesize version of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On the show this morning, Olympic rowing bronze medalist Daire Lynch joins Shane, Colm and Arthur in studio. We're also joined from Cardiff by Kathleen McNamee ahead of the Republic of Ireland WNT's first leg Euro playoff with Wales. And ahead of tomorrow's clash at the Aviva, we're joined by Ronan O'Gara and Wallabies legend David Campese. And it's there we take our Breakfast Bite, as both me...
Nov 29, 2024•11 min•Season 24Ep. 502
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the team news for Ireland's final test of the autumn with the Wallabies. We hear from head coach Andy Farrell on his reasons for selecting Sam Prendergast to start on Saturday, as well as his message to the young fly-half. There's details on the IRFU's significant financial loss in their latest accounts. Leinster are still able to recall a host of internationals for tomorrow's URC interpro with Ulster. Steven Kitshoff provides an update on his heal...
Nov 28, 2024•14 min•Season 24Ep. 498
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of the retirement of Ireland Men's Sevens captain, Harry McNulty. We hear from James Ryan on the influence of Joe Schmidt on his career, and Irish rugby as a whole. Richie Murphy explains the signing of Juarno Augustus, and provides an update on Jacob Stockdale's hamstring injury. New Zealand let slip details of a Chicago rematch with Ireland. And Joe Marler is done with rugby.
Nov 27, 2024•11 min•Season 24Ep. 496
Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the new contracts for Mike Prendergast and Denis Leamy, the rumours about the head coach position, the upcoming clash with the Lions and more. Get in contact on Twitter @rugbychannel15 or email therugbychannel@bauermedia.ie 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 become a member at offtheball.com/join ....
Nov 27, 2024•17 min•Season 24Ep. 493
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Munster as they raid the Ireland Women's staff to temporarily fill the vacancy of forwards coach. We hear from Leinster head coach Leo Cullen ahead of their interpro with Ulster, and he provides an update on the fitness of the incoming Jordie Barrett. Will Connors on his rugby-related PHD. The career of former Ulster prop Steven Kitshoff sadly hangs in the balance. Joe Schmidt looks ahead to being 'love-bombed' this weekend at ...
Nov 25, 2024•16 min•Season 24Ep. 486
Welcome to OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize taster of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Jonathan Wilson reflects on the dawn of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, and their draw at Ipswich. Plus, Matt Williams and Alan Quinlan talk rugby, as attention for Ireland turns to Joe Schmidt's Wallabies. This morning's Bite takes you to the Performance Rankings, and Sam Prendergast's display against Fiji on Saturday. Ger, Colm and Arthur discuss Ireland's new-found depth a...
Nov 25, 2024•11 min•Season 24Ep. 485
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack helps set the table for the penultimate test of Ireland's autumn. We hear from captain Caelan Doris on the unexpected needle that Frank Lomani's comments have added to tomorrow's fixture with Fiji. Andy Farrell offers some clarity regarding Jonathan Sexton's role with the coaching staff, and whether he's a bad influence on their out-halves. Bundee Aki addresses those rumours of a move to France. Plus Warren Gatland receives backing from no less a source ...
Nov 22, 2024•11 min•Season 24Ep. 482
Welcome to Friday's Breakfast Bite - your FREE treat-sized sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. This morning on the show, we look ahead to Ireland v Fiji with Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan. We're joined by just the third ever Irish winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award, Conor Niland for his excellent book 'The Racket'. Keith Treacy previews the start of the Ruben Amorim regime at Manchester United. Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:...
Nov 22, 2024•12 min•Season 24Ep. 477
In this special episode of Inner Drive, Off The Ball give the floor to five of Ireland's best athletes (fresh from Paris 2024) in Philip Doyle, Orla Comerford, Thomas Barr, Colin Judge and Stacey Flood. No interviewer, no restrictions, just athletes talking to each other about experiences only they can truly understand. Inner Drive, with Allianz, proud sponsors of Paralympics Ireland and Team Ireland. #StopTheDrop
Nov 22, 2024•48 min•Season 24Ep. 480
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the Ireland team news for Saturday's test with Fiji - the debutants, the recalls, the first home starts, and the surfeit of tightheads. Andy Farrell gives his expectations of Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley this week. Jamie Osborne discusses switching between centre and full-back. Jordie Barrett looks set to miss his start date at Leinster, as tributes paid to departing All Blacks Sam Cane and TJ Perenara. Plus, England's RFU's record def...
Nov 21, 2024•13 min•Season 24Ep. 475
Fiona Hayes and Ruairi O'Hagan from the Red 78 sit down with former Ireland and Munster star Eimear Considine to talk about her recent retirement announcement, her beginnings in the sport, and the highs and lows of her rugby career. 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 become a member at offtheball.com/join .
Nov 21, 2024•19 min•Season 24Ep. 474
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Leinster, where Leo Cullen has - as expected - signed a new two-year deal with the province. Richie speaks to Leinster CEO Shane Nolan, who also provides an update on the redevelopment status of the RDS. It's been a big day of contract news at Ulster. Warren Gatland addresses his future as Wales boss ahead of their test with the Springboks. And Sergio Parisse makes more history for Italy.
Nov 20, 2024•9 min•Season 24Ep. 472
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of Saturday's test with Fiji. Scrum coach John Fogarty addresses Ireland's discipline, the threat posed by Fiji, and speaks in glowing terms about history-maker Cian Healy. Jean Kleyn's been handed a start for the Springboks against Wales, as Rassie Erasmus goes with the brothers Hendrikse. Steve Borthwick's been forced into some alterations to his England squad. There's been a change in itinerary for th...
Nov 19, 2024•11 min•Season 24Ep. 470
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Warren Gatland's future as head coach, which hangs in the balance following their defeat to the Wallabies. Leicester have joined the list of clubs hunting Leinster out-half Ross Byrne. Jack Crowley has been accused of cheating against Argentina by a former All Black. Ulster tie a versatile back down with a new two-year deal. And Irish nominees galore, as World Rugby reveals its shortlists for their annual awards in Monaco....
Nov 18, 2024•12 min•Season 24Ep. 465
Welcome to Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show... Brian Barry Murphy reflects on the Republic of Ireland's second half horror show at Wembley. We look at Katie Taylor's huge win over Amanda Serrano in Texas with Kevin Byrne, with an eye on what's next for the Bray fighter. Alan Quinlan on another edgy Ireland performance in the Autumn Nations Series. And there's our weekly Performance Rankings - which is where our Breakf...
Nov 18, 2024•11 min•Season 24Ep. 464
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack takes you inside the Ireland camp as they prepare for Joe Schmidt's Wallabies. James Ryan marks Ireland's November so far, and Paul O'Connell discusses the influence of Joe Schmidt on his own coaching methods. The appointment of a new head coach at Munster now appears to be imminent, with one contender definitively out of the running. Plus, Ulster swoop to snatch Augustus away from Northampton.
Nov 16, 2024•9 min•Season 24Ep. 492
On a special edition of Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the reaction to Ireland's three-point win over Argentina at the Aviva. We hear from Andy Farrell on Ireland's ill-discipline, and debutant Sam Prendergast. Felipe Contepomi reacts to what so nearly was a famous win for his Pumas side. On top of that, there's news of a surprising change for the Wallabies, two Scotland internationals are on the move, and the Byrne brothers performing off Broadway.
Nov 15, 2024•15 min•Season 24Ep. 461
On a very special edition of You Had To Be There, Gladiator II star Paul Mescal sat down with Eoin Sheahan to discuss GAA losses more painful than any Hollywood audition, the heartbreak of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and so much more! You can become an Off The Ball member to hear this and lots more besides. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join
Nov 15, 2024•15 min•Season 24Ep. 459
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of tomorrow's Test with Argentina at the Aviva, and we hear from captain Caelan Doris. World Rugby has a new chair, and Rob Kearney's joined their Executive Board, plus a decision on the 20-minute red card has been deferred. Mathieu Jalibert has walked out of the French camp ahead of their test with the All Blacks, plus Scott Robertson shares what he learned during his time in Perpignan. The Springboks ...
Nov 14, 2024•13 min•Season 24Ep. 457
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the team news for Friday's clash of Ireland and the Pumas at the Aviva. We hear from head coach Andy Farrell as he explains his selection, and Cian Healy on equalling Brian O'Driscoll's caps record. Connacht man Santiago Cordero is missing from the Argentina panel for Friday's game. Warren Gatland's made changes to his Wales team as they look to break their losing streak. Keith Wood's son has joined Munster's Academy. Worcester and Wasps claw clos...
Nov 13, 2024•15 min•Season 24Ep. 454
Argentine rugby legend Gus Pichot joined Ger Gilroy and Colm Boohig on Off The Ball Breakfast today. In Dublin for a World Rugby Meeting of Council at which a new Chair will be elected, Pichot, who ran unsuccessfully for the position in 2020, explained to us where he believes the sport is failing in terms of reaching new markets and how these issues can be resolved. Principally, he believes that the sport's established forces must look beyond their own primary interests and consider how a seriou...
Nov 13, 2024•16 min•Season 24Ep. 453
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest from a wounded Ireland camp ahead of Friday's test with Argentina. We hear from winger Mack Hansen on where and how Ireland must improve, and we also check in with Pumas attack coach Kenny Lynn and their lock Juan Martin Gonzalez. Springboks scrum-half Cobus Reinach sings the praises of their attack coach Tony Brown, while Tommy Freeman leaps to the defence of his England head coach Steve Borthwick. All Blacks forward Wallace Sititi on Sa...
Nov 12, 2024•15 min•Season 24Ep. 449
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the injury news stemming from Ireland's ten-point defeat to the All Blacks on Friday night, with one position in particular giving Andy Farrell concern. We hear with Ireland's new Head of Athletic Performance Aled Walters, and how he doesn't want to 'crash' the Irish car. Wales head coach Warren Gatland discusses his future as the principality continue to make unwanted history. Rassie Erasmus sings the praises of Makazole Mapimpi ahead of a sh...
Nov 11, 2024•13 min•Season 24Ep. 445
Welcome to Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize taster to this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show... The weekend's performance rankings. Eoin Doyle on Drogheda's FAI Cup final win and the weekend's Premier League Former All Blacks fly-half Colin Slade on their win over Ireland at the Aviva on Friday night. And today's Breakfast Bite also takes you back to Friday, with Alan Quinlan pondering whether an ageing Ireland team were guilty of being too cocky against New Zea...
Nov 11, 2024•10 min•Season 24Ep. 444
On a special edition of Rugby Daily from the Aviva Stadium, Richie McCormack brings you all the reaction from Ireland's defeat to the All Blacks. We hear from Andy Farrell on where Ireland must improve, and Caelan Doris on the period of the game that cost Ireland. Scott Barrett on his flashpoint with Joe McCarthy, and Scott Robertson on the biggest win of his coaching career. Plus, news from the Springboks, Scotland and Wales ahead of their Sunday outings.
Nov 09, 2024•14 min•Season 24Ep. 441
