How did Leinster’s young guns outmatch the Sharks?
Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action. How did Connacht fail to take advantage of Munster’s red card in the test in the west? How much do we read into the Leinster youngsters beating the Sharks, or is that particular South African team always prone to madness? Are we finally seeing Ulster’s exciting back line turn a corner? Speaking of back lines, Ireland finally take the handbrake off in a record Six Nations win over Italy.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27:00
Have the Lions left Ireland in the lurch?
On Wednesday, Andy Farrell confirmed three Irish coaches would be his assistants for the upcoming Lions tour. Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman join England’s Richard Wigglesworth and Scotland’s John Dalziel on the coaching ticket. The launch event was impressive in parts, a reminder of the corporate behemoth the Lions has become. But does this commercial standing come at the cost of the Lions ethos? John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns - who attended the launch event in London - to discuss the place of the Lions in modern rugby. Plus, with only Paul O’Connell remaining on the Irish ticket for this summer’s tour of Portugal and Georgia, does the Lions tour deprive Ireland of their key coaches ahead of an important tour for a side in transition? Or, is the opportunity for coach development too good to pass up? We hear from Andy Farrell himself, as well as other Irish coaches who will be travelling down under.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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26:52
The gap between club and international rugby is widening - here's why it matters
This weekend saw a series of thrilling, high scoring matches in the United Rugby Championship. Leinster, Munster and Connacht all lost - Ulster provided the sole Irish win of the weekend - but fans of attacking rugby cannot say that they were bored. Is this what we want to see from rugby matches, though? Do we want a basketball style, end-to-end product wherever whoever has the ball last takes on the final shot to win?Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the weekend’s action and assess the state of the game. Is this an issue of how rugby is officiated? What to make of defence coaches’ role in all this? Are we catering too much to new audiences or younger people with shorter attention spans?Plus, we review the women’s Six Nations where Ireland lost to France, albeit in a way which avoided the heavy defeats of years gone by. Did Ireland’s coaching staff cleverly manage to stick a plaster on the talent gap, or are Ireland making serious strides? Is the domestic game adequately preparing the players for the top level? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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28:31
What next for the provinces after the Six Nations?
Attention turns to provincial action and the women’s Six Nations after a lengthy men’s international campaign. With senior internationals set to be rested domestically, which young prospects can further their summer tour aspirations with a strong display over the next few weeks? How are Ulster fixed sitting as low as 14th in the table? Connacht seem set for coaching upheaval, how will they fare for the rest of the season? Will Leinster maintain their buffer at the top? Can Munster maintain their position in the top eight? John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to chat through all the talking points. We also preview the women’s Six Nations, analysing if lopsided results in the Celtic Challenge have given Ireland proper preparation for their French challenge this weekend.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27:27
Are Ireland only Europe’s third best team?
Ireland’s final standing in the Six Nations depends on how you frame it. Third in Europe behind France and England doesn’t sound ideal. But plenty are young enough to remember when campaigns featuring four victories were gold dust. Is the glass half full or half empty? John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy were in Rome to take in a clunky victory over Italy and they join host Nathan Johns to dissect the game and the tournament as a whole. Where do Ireland go from here? How will they evolve under Simon Easterby? Does this look a jaded group in need of a refresh? Which players should we keep an eye out on the summer tour? How much of a job will Andy Farrell have on his hands next season to revitalise a group still lacking depth?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland