OTB Rugby

Happy Christmas Eve Eve! 🎄Looking forward to another exciting year of sport, Mick, Eoin, Ben, and Susanna have written their 2026 Christmas Sporting Wishlists. Some are realistic, some not so much... But they can dream all the same!From Ireland qualifying for the World Cup to Evan Ferguson finding his 'forever home', they outline the biggest achievements they would like to see for Irish athletes on the world stage in 2026.

Former Ireland International Alan Quinlan joins Ger Gilroy to review the weekend of URC action which saw Leinster overcome Ulster in the Aviva as well as a win for Munster away to the Ospreys in Swansea Catch 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/join

Welcome to Friday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, a final check-in before Leinster and Ulster do battle in an interpro derby tonight.Clayton McMillan gives a thoughtful response on where Munster are at heading towards the end of 2025,A key France international is a major doubt for their Six Nations opener against Ireland,And the Celtic Challenge is back! I'll tell you which Ireland stars will be lining out for the opening round this weekend.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Thursday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, Leinster and Ulster name their sides for tomorrow night's URC clash at the Aviva,The Munster team is also out, but head Clayton McMillan was not impressed by his side's display against Gloucester last weekend,And how can Ireland improve on a perceived lack of speedsters in their player pool? We ask the IRFU's Head of Athletic Performance and Science.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Happy (Early) Christmas from the Word On The Street gang!What better way to celebrate our two-way conversation this festive season than by finding out people's favourite Christmas sports events!? From the darts to rugby and local traditions, there's so much happening during the Silly Season. What's your favourite Christmas sporting tradition? Get in touch on Social Media (@OffTheBall) or 087 9 180 180.

In a special edition of The Red 78 Podcast, the Red 78 crew are joined by Munster boss Clayton McMillan to talk about the season so far, settling in to Ireland, building his team and more.

Welcome to Wednesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, Leinster prepare for a trio of big interpro derbies over the festive period,Brian O'Driscoll on how more and more teams are beating Leinster's blitz defence,And Richard Cockerill has been sacked by Georgia rugby after last weekend's shutout for Black Lion away to Connacht.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss Munster's win over Gloucester in SuperValu Páirc uí Chaoimh, the Páirc as a venue for rugby and Munster's return to URC action away to Ospreys on Saturday. Subscribe to The Rugby Channel for new episodes every week! #TheRed78The first twenty minutes of this week's podcast is unlocked, but to listen to the full podcast, get on over to the Go Loud app, or become a member at offtheball.com/join

Welcome to Tuesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, Munster welcome a couple of key players back as they return to URC action this weekend.James Tracy blasts World Rugby's tackle height trial for the upcoming World under-20s championship.And we'll hear from Ireland star Aoife Wafer following her Harlequins debut on Saturday.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome along to another Rugby Daily with Susanna Mollen. Coming up today, we’ll have an injury update after an action-packed weekend of rugby, the provinces refocus the mind back to the URC, there's upsets in the Champions Cup, and Leinster's James Lowe doesn't necessarily agree with World Rugby's new lower tackle height trial..#Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to another Sunday Rugby Daily with Susanna Mollen.Live from Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, she chats to Munster headcoach, Clayton McMillan, and backrow, Jack O'Donoghue, on Munster's shaky start but bonus-point win against Gloucester. #Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Friday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, just hours to go before Leinster take on Leicester in the Champions Cup.Munster head coach Clayton McMillan pulls no punches on last weekend's defeat to Bath,Ulster and Connacht name their teams for this weekend's Challenge Cup action,And everything you need to know ahead of a busy weekend of rugby.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Thursday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, the Leinster team is out for tomorrow night's trip to Leicester Tigers.Munster gear up for the visit of Gloucester to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday,And could New Zealand make a play for Ronan O'Gara to join the All Blacks backroom?Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Happy Thursday! It's your weekly dose of Word On The Street. Champions Cup #Rugby kicked off last weekend to a familiar groan of 'boring' pool stages... So the WOTS team head out to see what the Irish public think about the changing formats in so many of our great competitions. Have a thought or topic in mind? Send us a DM at @OffTheBall or get in touch on 087 9 180 180.

It’s the return of You Had To Be There - and it’s an absolutely brilliant edition by way of journalist Brendan Fanning!Catch 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

With sports streaming becoming increasingly expensive, one fifth of Irish households are said to be using ‘dodgy boxes’ in order to watch live sport and television. Eoin Sheahan is joined by Newstalk’s Jess Kelly, as well as Clubber’s Jimmy Doyle, LOI TV’s Mark Scanlon and Adam Leventhal of the Athletic to discuss the consequences of the dodgy box, both for the individuals using them, and for the organisations with the streaming rights themselves.

Welcome to Wednesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill,Coming up today, we hear from Jack Conan ahead of Leinster's Investec Champions Cup clash away to Leicester Tigers,Is rugby being ruined by the recent increase of kicking in the game?And Aoife Wafer is in line to make her debut for PWR side Harlequins this weekend.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the disappointing defeat to Bath at the Rec, and to look ahead to the huge clash with Gloucester in Cork.Subscribe to The Rugby Channel for new episodes every week! #TheRed78The first twenty minutes of this week's podcast is unlocked, but to listen to the full podcast, get on over to the Go Loud app, or become a member at offtheball.com/join

Welcome to Tuesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, Munster issue an injury update after their sobering defeat to Bath in the Champions Cup,Ireland's home venues are confirmed for their upcoming women's Six Nations campaign,And 4,347 days since his last appearance for the club, Leigh Halfpenny could don the Cardiff jersey this weekend...Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

In our final episode of Back Seat Pundits, Dara Smith-Naughton was joined by retired professional Irish rugby player, Gordon D'Arcy, as he reflects back on an important Autumn Nations series for Ireland.  Back Seat Pundits on Off The Ball is brought to you by Renault #RethinkRenault 

Welcome to Monday's Rugby Daily, with David Wilson.Leinster lose two, but could gain two more.Munster's expectations under Clayton McMillan.England suffer an injury doubt ahead of the 6 Nations.And is the Champions Cup losing it's allure?Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Friday's Rugby Daily, with David Wilson.Munster suffer an injury blow to their star fly-half.Connacht's Bundee Aki to skipper.And Nigel Owen's questions Eben Etzebeth's ban length.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Thursday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, Rieko Ioane in line for his Leinster debut in the Champions Cup this weekend,Gerry Thornley warns against Ireland fans counting their World Cup quarter-final chickens after yesterday's draw,And the length of Eben Etzebeth's ban for an eye gouge is revealed...Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Wednesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, Ireland find out their opponents for the Rugby World Cup in Australia,Mack Hansen is in a race to be fit for the Six Nations,The Stormers head coach has come out strongly against yellow cards for scrum penalties,And could we see a league-union crossover next year?Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to talk about the defeat to the Stormers that sees The Reds' unbeaten start to the season come to an and, and to look ahead to a big clash with Bath in the Champions CupGet in contact on X @rugbychannel15 or email [email protected] to The Rugby Channel for new episodes every week! #TheRed78The 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

Welcome along to Monday’s Rugby Daily with Susanna Mollen.Coming up today, Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber responds to the controversy around his comments in the SuperSport interview when South Africa were in town two weeks ago.Munster head coach Clayton McMillan is disappointed in the province’s first loss of the season against the Stormers on Saturday night. And Alan Quinlan discussions the potential repercussions for Eben Etzebeth after his red card in Cardiff.#Rugby Daily on Off The Ball with BankOfIreland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Friday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.The Irish provinces return to URC action this evening,Anna Caplice slams the decision to introduce a smaller ball size in women's sevens.And another blow for the breakaway R-360 league - I'll tell you more later in the pod.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Former Ireland international Anna Caplice, now coaching in Laos, joins on the line to chat all things rugby with Shane and Colm.

Welcome to Thursday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up, Munster, Leinster and Ulster all welcome back a number of Ireland internationals for the return of the URC this weekend,Chris Jones on the changing fortunes of Ireland and England in 2025,And Antoine Dupont could return to play this weekend after eight months out with injury.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Wednesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up today, after the Autumn Nations Series, attention turns to the domestic and European action for the provinces this weekend.Brian O'Driscoll on the one element that Ireland have noticeably lost in their attack,35 players have signed central contracts as part of the IRFU's Women's High Performance Programme,And why the Irish system is struggling to produce quality front-row options for international level.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Tuesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up today, we'll round off the reaction to Ireland's defeat to South Africa on Saturday.Squad updates from the provinces with the URC back this weekend, and the start of the Champions Cup fast approaching.And Felipe Contepomi reveals the physical confrontation he had with an England star at Twickenham this weekend...Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Shane Hannon is joined by Adrian Barry and Aidan Delaney for today’s headlines, dominated by Ireland being defeated by South Africa 24-11 at the Aviva Stadium. 

In Andy Farrell's own words it was a "chaotic" 80 minutes in the Aviva Stadium last night as Ireland went down 13-24 to the visiting World Champions.In this Sunday Special of Rugby Daily, hear from Farrell, Rassie Erasmus, Irish players, and former Leinster and Connacht professional, Andy Dunne, straight after the final whistle.#Rugby Daily is on Off The Ball with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Rugby Analyst Brent Pope and former Ireland International Shane Byrne join Shane Hannon in studio to talk all things Irish Rugby and preview this evening's fierce encounter between Ireland and South Africa in the Aviva Stadium The Saturday Panel is presented by Heineken 

Welcome to Friday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up today: it's nearly here - I'll have your final preview of Ireland against South Africa:We'll hear from Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and captain Caelan Doris about tomorrow's huge test at the Aviva StadiumTwo-time World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff on how Ireland can really frustrate the Springboks tomorrow.And what else is on this weekend from a rugby perspective? I'll map out your viewing schedule later in the pod.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

In episode 3 of Back Seat Pundits, Grand Slam winner and Coach Of The Year Fiona Hayes joined Susanna Mollen as they travel to the home of Irish Rugby, the Aviva Stadium, and look ahead to the clash against South Africa. Back Seat Pundits on Off The Ball is brought to you by Renault #RethinkRenault 

Welcome to Thursday's Rugby Daily, I'm Cameron Hill.Coming up today, the teams are out for Ireland against South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.Rassie Erasmus on the one thing that annoys him about Northern Hemisphere teams,Jean de Villiers on Ireland being a bogey team for the Springboks,And will Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber return to the South Africa setup just in time for the World Cup?Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Happy Thursday everyone! Every week we ask the public if they have a topic in mind, and this week you delivered! Amy Gibbons, a Gaelic football player and coach, reached out to us about her 3rd ACL rupture. She is a major advocate for research into why ACL injuries are so prevalent in women's sports, and what can be done to mitigate it. We spoke to her about her own journey and recovery, as well as rugby player Aoibheann Reilly, Kildare football lead s&c Dr Neil Welch, and UPMC consultant orthopaedic surgeon Professor Brian Devitt for this special episode.Have a topic or thought in mind? Send us a DM on @offtheball on all our social platforms or send us a WhatsApp at 087 9 180 180!

Welcome to Wednesday's Rugby Daily, I'm Cameron Hill.Coming up today, South Africa are handed a big boost ahead of this weekend's huge clash with Ireland,Who starts at 10 against the Springboks? Brian O'Driscoll, Gerry Thornley and Liam Toland give their thoughts,And Munster sign a former Leinster player amid an apparent injury crisis in the front row.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Olympic Gold Medallist Rhys McClenaghan joined Eoin Sheahan to dive into his journey to the Paris Olympics as well as his devastating loss in Tokyo. We'll also hear from his parents and his coach who gave us their account of the biggest moments in his career. Inner Drive on Off The Ball is brought to you by Allianz | #Stopthedrop

Welcome to Tuesday's Rugby Daily, I'm Cameron Hill.Coming up today, the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of the huge clash with South Africa this weekend,Gerry Thornley and Liam Toland on whether the new-look Ireland back-three is a runner for the Six Nations,South Africa's coaching ticket claim the team are not treated fairly by the officials after another red card at the weekend,And late, late drama in the battle for the final spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Monday's Rugby Daily, with Susanna Mollen.Coming up today, we hear from the former Munster and Ireland backrow, Alan Quinlan, on Ireland's hat-trick hero.There is an injury blow for Stuart McCloskey, but more players enter back into the selection mix.Scotland are booed in Murrayfield as they're left dumbfounded by a stunning Argentinian comeback.And England repeat history against the All Blacks as Henry Pollock is back in the headlines...Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Friday's Rugby Daily, I'm Dara Smith-Naughton.Coming up, we'll hear from Andy Farrell and Joe Schmidt following last night's clash between Ireland & Australia at the Aviva Stadium.Two prominent Irish back-rows speak about the competition in their positions at the moment...And Andy Dunne has his say on the Ireland out-half debate.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

In episode two of 'Back Seat Pundits' James Tracy joined Dara Smith-Naughton as they travelled to the Aviva stadium to discuss the issue with Ireland's lineout, Andy Farrell's selection process and his score predictions against Australia and South Africa. This is with thanks to Renault #RethinkRenault

Welcome to Friday's Rugby Daily, I'm Cameron Hill.Coming up, we'll hear from Caelan Doris and Joe Schmidt ahead of Ireland vs Australia at the Aviva Stadium.A key Ireland forward makes her long-awaited return from injury this weekend,And still looking for a full rundown of the rugby action on offer this weekend? I've got you covered.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Leinster front rower Ivan Soroka joins Eoin Sheahan for this week's Settle In, reflecting on his upbringing in Ukraine, moving to Dublin and playing for Leinster, and how the war has affected him and his family.Settle In on Off The Ball with Guinness 0.0.

Welcome to Thursday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up today, the Ireland team is out for the Australia game, and there is a return of the Mack - that's a line you won't have heard loads today.Could the Wallabies stun Andy Farrell's side at the weekend? It's happened before, warns Gerry Thornley.And Rassie Erasmus takes a gamble with his team selection against Italy...Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Wednesday's Rugby Daily, with Cameron Hill.Coming up today, the Ireland coaching ticket admit their attack needs to be better this November.Brian O'Driscoll feels Ireland can't be compared to South Africa right now,And the Springboks will have to do without a key forward when they come to Dublin in a week's time...Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Tuesday's Rugby Daily, I'm Cameron Hill.Coming up, an update from Ireland camp ahead of this weekend's visit of Australia to Dublin,After an impressive summer and Rugby Championship showing, what's gone wrong for the Wallabies this November?And Cullie Tucker leaves Connacht after a decade with the province, as the Ireland under-20s plan for the future.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

Welcome to Monday's Rugby Daily, with Susanna Mollen.Coming up today, we hear from the OTB Breakfast crew on the Ireland performance against Japan.There is an injury blow, but is Mack Hansen back in the fold?Steve Tandy's Wales pumped by Argentina.And England continue their winning run.Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting