Rugby On Off The Ball

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has team news from all four provinces - and their opponents - ahead of a busy weekend of Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Alan Quinlan on Leinster's last-16 encounter with Alan Quinlan at Croke Park, a game you can hear live and exclusive on Off The Ball on Saturday. Ronan O'Gara speaks exclusively to us as his out-of-form La Rochelle side prepare to host Munster. Rob Herring will win his 250th Ulster cap in Sunday's tricky test away to Bordeaux. And Shayne Bolton is back for Connacht's Challenge Cup tie with Cardiff. Plus, the latest on Rugby Australia's search for a new Wallabies head coach, and one of the game's best young talents closes the door on the All Blacks.

This is Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your free Bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Ronan O'Gara took time out from La Rochelle's preparations for their Investec Champions Cup tie with Munster to speak to Shane and Colm. Alan Quinlan helped set the table for the rest of the weekend's action. We previewed the start of the Football Championship with Mayo legend David Brady. And Former Ireland international Méabh De Búrca looks ahead to this afternoons Women's Nations League meeting of Greece and Ireland. But this morning's Bite focuses on this weekend's Champions Cup action as we check in with Alan Quinlan, and first - Ronan O'Gara. And don't forget, Leinster's Croke Park outing against Harlequins at Croke Park is live on Saturday's Off The Ball. 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

This is Thursday's Rugby Daily, in which Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Munster's push to see Alex Nankivell included in their squad to face La Rochelle. The prospect of a Middle East World Cup has gained a very powerful ally. And the Wallabies star that's won an NFL contract.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Jack Crowley on his own future. Ronan O'Gara has also come out swinging ahead of La Rochelle's Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie with Munster, and he's also given an injury update. The coaching staff for Ireland's summer tests has been revealed. And Courtney Lawes fancies a third Lions call.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss a much needed win for the Reds over Connacht, and to look ahead to the huge Champions Cup clash with Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle. 

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Munster ahead of their blockbuster Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie away to La Rochelle on Saturday. We hear from Tadhg Beirne on his role in Antoine Dupont's recent ligament injury, plus Mike Prendergast addresses being overlooked for the head coach's job. A season to forget for Rob Baloucoune continues at Ulster. We hear from stand-in coach at Connacht Colm Tucker as they prepare to play Cardiff in the Challenge Cup.

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Jack Crowley's future at Munster. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Robin McBryde as Leinster switch their attentions to Croke Park and an Investec Champions Cup date with Harequins. That Leinster-Quins game will be live on Saturday's Off The Ball. There's reaction to a 'statement' win for Ireland in the W6N in Parma. The Middle East is hoping to bag the World Cup. And Rugby Australia have won over another recruit from League.

This is Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, former Ireland internationals Alan Quinlan & Hannah O’Connor joined us to discuss Munster’s victory over Connacht and Ireland’s emphatic win over Italy in the Women's Six Nations. OTB’s GAA correspondent Tommy Rooney rounds up the weekend’s football finals in Croke Park.And Ger, Colm and Arthur kicked things off with the Performance Rankings, running through the good, the bad, and the amber of the weekend’s sport. But this morning's Bite takes us first to Hannah O'Connor's review of Ireland's W6N win in Parma, and then we reflect on Kerry's victory in the Allianz Football League Division 1 decider with Tommy. 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

Jackie Shiels debriefs Ireland's record-breaking, bonus point win against Italy in the second round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations Championship. #Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news ahead of Ireland's W6N game with Italy in Parma on Sunday. We hear from Scott Bemand and Neve Jones on that Azzurri test. Leinster have been linked with a big-name replacement for Jordie Barrett. Conor Murray to reach 200 Munster caps in Castlebar tomorrow. Paul Gustard will not be Leicester coach next season, and Bill Beaumont calls for unity with the RFU.

This is Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Ronan O'Gara helped us preview a huge interpro at MacHale Park in Castlebar, as well as an update on the progress of his own La Rochelle side. Alan Quinlan also dropped into studio and helped look ahead to Ireland's W6N clash with Italy in Parma. Mike Quirke set the table for the Allianz Football League finals, with former Monaghan footballer Kieran Hughes previewing the Division 2 final meeting of Monaghan and Roscommon. And this morning's Bite takes some of Ronan O'Gara's chat surrounding that Connacht-Munster game, and before that Mike Quirke looks ahead to Kerry-Mayo at Croke Park. 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

OTB’s Dara Smith-Naughton looks ahead to Ireland’s clash with Italy in the Women’s Six Nations alongside Shane & Colm.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

Leinster and Munster coaches combine as Tania Rosser and Fiona Hayes join Eoin Sheahan for this week's Six Nations Show, looking back on a frustrating defeat to France, the issues with the Celtic Challenge, and what to expect against Italy. The Six Nations Show with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest - and pretty significant - contract news from Leinster, and we hear from Leo Cullen on the influence of their NIQ players. Rob Baloucoune is back for Ulster, who hand a 200th cap to Stuart McCloskey.Andy Farrell's left the door open for his son to be part of the Lions tour of Australia. And Ellie Kildunne reaches as landmark for England this week in the Six Nations, as Scott Bemand previews the Italian test.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look back on a disappointing night in Glasgow, and to preview a huge clash with Connacht in the novel surroundings of MacHale Park. 

Former Ireland international Grace Davitt joins Ger Gilroy & Colm Boohig on the line to look ahead to Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy in Parma this weekend!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 Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you details of Andy Farrell's Lions coaching staff, and what it means for Ireland's tests with Georgia and Portugal. We hear from two of Farrell's deputies - John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman.Gabrielle Vernier has learned of her punishment following the 20-minute red card she received in Belfast. Niamh O'Dowd explains the 'Green Wave'. Abdelatif Benazzi has landed a decent consolation job after missing out on the chairmanship of World Rugby. And Mohamed Haouas has learned how he'll pay for his latest transgression.

This is Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - a FREE bitesize sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, we speak to former Dublin footballer and now health & performance nutritionist Kate McDaid. Football writer Jonathan Wilson proffers the theory that there is too much football. We talk to former Munster hooker Mike Sherry ahead of a huge fixture for Munster at MacHale Park this weekend. And today's Bite checks in with Mike Sherry first, as we ponder the prospect of Jack Crowley actually leaving Munster this summer, then we speak to Jonathan Wilson as he addresses a major issue facing England en route to the World Cup. 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 Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest ahead of Saturday's novel interpro in Castlebar. We hear from stand-in Connacht coach Colm Tucker, as well as Munster skills coach Mossy Lawler and their former Connacht man Sean O'Brien on that game at MacHale Park. Sam Prendergast's signed a new deal at Leinster on another busy day for the province's biro. Rob Baloucoune's injury nightmare is finally at an end. And France centre Gabrielle Vernier faces a ban after her 20-minute red against Ireland.

This is Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, former Leinster and Ireland hooker James Tracy on a lacklustre week for the Irish provinces in URC action. OTB's Dara Smith-Naughton picks his top three performers from Ireland’s opening Women's Six Nations game vs France. Tommy Rooney gives his latest updates to the Football Power Rankings. Finally, Matthew Brennan of Team OTB explains the brand new ‘Baller League’, which debuted last night on Sky Sports.But today's Bite first sees Tommy Rooney discuss his reasons behind placing Leitrim where he did in his latest Performance Rankings, and then it's James Tracy's take on the controversial 20-minute red card.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