The Molecast

"It arrives like the spring, and like the spring, it too lifts the hearts. First the snowdrops, then the daffodils, then St Brigid's Day, then Six Nations." *wipes away tear*Rejoice that January is over, the World Cup is behind us, and we're still bitching about not picking on form. We scrutinise Andy Farrell's (conservative) first selection as Irish coach, discussing the virtues of experience and "experimentation". We preview Le Crunch: Eddie Jones promises withering physicality for the French who, with their glittering youthful talent, promise a return to the days when they ruled the championship along with Les Rosbifs.Finally we talk briefly about Wales and Italy. Five of the six coaches are new but Gatland casts the longest shadow of all those departing. How will Wales cope? And should Italy just embrace La Brutta Vita? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheaters never win, except when you don't take their trophies back off them. The Saracens saga rolls on. Relegation a certainty but European success a possibility. Everything else seems to be up for grabs.After that we ask the difficult question about the Irish coaching ticket: how did they get the gig again?Lastly we touch briefly on the plight of Munster and their youth in the wake of their European exit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mid-season Stocktake! Which notable characters from the long running Pro 14 series "went mainstream" in the last round of games, and where does that leave the future Ireland team and its captaincy, Johann van Grann's coaching trajectory and Ulster in general. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Connors is coming for your clothes, your boots, your motorcycle, and your number seven jersey: the man known as Porridge gets lower than Lil' Jon and smashes all in front of him as Leinster march on with another win with a young team on a tough away day.Later on we take a deep dive into a hypothetical world of a CVC Capital Partners-inspired British and Irish league, as suggested by Ospreys chairman Rob Davies' mention of it this week. If this is where we're headed, what might it look like? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Munster's Latham... I mean Larkham revolution yields a sliding doors moment for JJ Hanrahan and despite a cracking performance leaves them in a tight spot. Ulster and Leinster are 2/2 with wildly varying qualities of performance. Is it Leinster's tournament to lose? And lastly international coaching tickets are moving and shaking. Is Ireland's *management* ticket out of step with the rest of world rugby? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster's production line is the focus — and how freely they might play — but the inescapable shadow of the Rugby World Cup is never far away: what does it mean for Ireland? In Munster, Ulster fielded a pack with no Ulstermen: all the players will end up coming from St Michael's and Blackrock if no one else is producing them.And how do you deal with cheats? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chapter I: The World Cup and the Winning ThereofChapter II: The World Cup and Dumping There-out-ofExcept, like Prince's Lovesexy (or Royal Trux's Twin Infinitives) there's no separate tracks, it just blazes all the way through. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot to get through, including: How did we lose to Japan? How did we actually get on against Russia when not dropping the ball? How do we go about beating Samoa?And then: These refs, eh? Here come England's White Orcs who keep passing the ball. Growing into tournaments. Fail to evolve, evolve to fail. And what will go down in the QFs? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belatedly we discuss Ireland's performance against Wales, and how a good old fashioned show of aggression dismissed some of our lingering 2019 anxieties. We also take a fairly freewheeling look at the rest of the Rugby World Cup which bloody well starts this week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss somewhat surprising Irish Rugby World Cup selection made by Joe Schmidt for Japan 2019. (We should note that the top 10 games discussed were top 10 under Schmidt, not ever.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No Spala for your guts! The Battle of Bayonne! Ireland's legacy in preparing for World Cups is akin to their legacy in actual World Cups: full of wince-inducing moments of crisis and lots of existential soul-searching. As such we discuss at length where we are after a disastrous drubbing in Twickenham. We also have a brief chat about England and the All Black's but even when we are talking about them, aren't we really just talking about Ireland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We go long on Leinster's imperious semi-final victory against Munster, doling out praise where it's due, and then focus on a disappointing end to Ulster's otherwise excellent season. They're on the up, but Munster look to have stood still. There's also lots of anecdotes about large rugbymen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster hit the wall against a mighty Saracens team in Newcastle and lose their first Euro final. Did it all hinge on the big moments like Luke McGrath's wayward box kick and Liam William's ravenous hit-and-steal? In Munster there's more drama as their coaching ticket is again in search of stability after Felix Jones and Gerry Flannery turn down contracts. How do both teams prepare ahead of this weekend's huge league semi-final? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Re-uploaded with proper audio] After semi-final weekend, we give the boys in blue the credit deserve for a consummate performance at the Aviva and ask whether Munster are improving — but not quickly enough — or if their 7th semi-final loss is a reality check for them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a thought-provoking article by Gerry Thornley on the plight of the club game we look at the state of it after an exciting denouement to the regular season of the AIL. We also look at squad size, depth, matching players and game time, and look ahead to two tasty semi-final encounters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three out of the four Heineken Cup quarter finals provided exceptional excitement with two bonafide classics taking place in Paris and Dublin. We pick over the bones of them, and ask how Leinster's depth is getting tested, how the rugby gods will punish Tadhg Beirne, how Ulster, Edinburgh and Racing will feel after their respective defeats.YNWA Dan Leavy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a post-mortem for a Six Nations that leaves everyone but Wales disappointed. Take the dog for an extra long walk because there's loads to get off our collective chests. More analytical that a Buenos Aires dinner party, we try to get inside the heads of everyone from Gatty to Joe to Genge and attempt to decipher how focus, fitness and form come together in the magic stew of victory. Congrats to Wales and hurrah for the U20s Grand Slam heroes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We rank Ireland both out of 1 to 10 and with the binary unsatisfactory/satisfactory distinction as we pick apart an impressive victory against France and ask if Cardiff represents a "free hit"? Have we really learned that much about ourselves other than we *still* suck at being favourites? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As usual, the game is gone or going somewhere weird. Crisis in Wales, crisis in world rugby, crisis at World Rugby. There's not enough people close enough to each other on the planet to make the game viable in the way it wants to be while maintaining some semblance of the game's traditions: discuss. OK, we will. Welsh sociology, roads, the Belle Epoque, FIRA, it's all in here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did injury force Ireland's hand in terms of selection, or did Joe just not channel his inner Gatty after a disappointing performance in Rome. Is clarity of purpose what Ireland are lacking? Also: oh shit here come unbeatable Wales. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Questions raised and questions answered at Murrayfield; kick and clap at Twickenham as England launch bombs and land them all. What more do we know about Carbery and what more can we find out, and are England showing their World Cup plans already? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meeting the pitch of the ball, changing the pitch of the game, 1500 metre full backs, the paradox of Zebo's absence, being the best team in the world for six weeks, some Japanese big picture, and some face-smashing: these are just some of the things that we grasp onto in the aftermath of getting pumped at home by pumped-up English. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We try to get inside the mind of Schmidt and Jones to pick their teams for them. Given they are now announced, it retrospectively seems like Joe is channelling his inner Gatland. And while the team largely picks itself, the bench very much does not. Also ou est les françaises? First the snowdrops, then St Bridget's Day, then the Six Nations! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We focus on the little province that could, that keeps surprising us all and has ended up with a surprising contingent in the Irish squad: Ulster (badum tish.)Also we indulge in some Valdanology, investigating claims of Shit-on-a-Stick at Thomond Park, sexy sub outhalf talk for Leinster and the boring grind of Premierships DoFs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The festive interpros heralded the end of rugby as we know it with tedious blowhards and tinfoil-hat-wearing Twitter cranks calling for the abolition of the uncompetitive Pro 14, a situation which might finally allow the Welsh teams to thrive.... where exactly? THE GAME'S GONE.Good thing then that there's some rugby to look forward to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a weekend which saw 5 of the 7 Premiership teams lose in Europe, we go in depth on the status of the league as it faces into a future that is likely to include ring-fencing and the a partial buy-out by a private equity firm. We also evaluate Munster's curious win against Castres, as well as looking back to see who France is blaming for their defeat to Fiji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've attained rugby perfection and there's nothing left to do but meditate on it (OMMMMM) but we still luxuriate in it a little bit, or even a lot. Just how good was it? Very, very good. Then there's the question of the ABs trajectory, and lastly there's the squad for US Eagles game – and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are going long on the more-interesting-than-expected clash between Pumas who have reasons to be optimistic and the Irish who have plenty mull over. And of course with the All Blacks on the horizon, we look into their squeaky victory over the English and look forward to the title bout next Saturday night at Lansdowne Road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a lot of player welfare talk surrounding professional rugby these days but extraneous — pointless — internationals outside the autumn test match window, and ignoring borderline hits because they are unpopular decisions don't add up to looking after the players. We get into the bizarre Ireland B vs Italy B in mostly empty stadium, and ask where England are, and if they are going anywhere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bruce Craig wuz robbed: will threat of high court make high tackles hightail it? Or will the ABs still get their scalps and get away with it? Leinster lose despite being the Harlem Globetrotters (apparently), Nucifora releases Budget 2019, and who gets picked for Ireland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The "Gobshites" are back with a discussion of Munster's non-victory victory in Windy Park, the return of the tighthead rock Marty Mooradze, OMG just how good were Leintster roysh, slagging off Freddie Burns, and predicting this weekend's Euro-thrashings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A slightly delayed Molecast but our takes still haven't cooled down. Whitehouse or Shitehouse, provincial pecking order, the future of Sean O'Brien (and the Real Sean O'Brien), an exciting weekend of Euro-rugby ahead for the provinces... plus rogue predictions are back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Molecast is back for the new season with more sounds of slurping tea and opening beers, as well as much discussion of fullbacks: PC Thug and burger-stealer Geordan Murphy, Simon "Slim" Zebo, and even Joey Carbery. Then we tried to solve everything to do with English rugby, which didn't go too well or get very far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We get into the ineffable logic of Joe's selection policy, Ireland's journey vs Ireland's destination, refereeing card games, NZ cynicism and go down a few blind alleys in anticipation of the end of an incredible season of rugby success.(BTW episode #12 didn't get published, so you didn't miss one. Stay tuned for the 30th anniversary reissue.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you like *long* podcasts? We have a lot to get through. Semi-finals, finals, retirements, squad announcements for Australia, a bloody transfer saga, and maybe most dramatically of all: the demise of the B&I Cup and Nucifora's plans for the club game. It's a bumper edition of the Molecast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it isn't all Wayne Barnes' fault, and hopefully one of us will be big enough to admit it. It was a dog of a game, but sometimes that just can't be helped all that much, and thankfully Leinster showed yet another way to win. We also discuss Jordi's future, coaching duos, Leo's selections and throw in a little bit of ref talk for good measure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Moles get into provincial appointments and dismissals up North and out West respectively, before we delve into the Pro14's health ahead of its semi-finals. And of course, we have a long hard think about Leinster's showdown in Bilbao with Racing 92 and why they should finish the job and round off a stellar European season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Moles have lots to discuss after the contrasting European Champions Cup semi-final results for the Irish provinces including the serious men of Leinster; the silver linings for Munster and Van Gran's Grand Plan. Also, why would you take a job with Ulster right now? And what of Sean O'Brien? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Moles are back with loads of chat about "butt hurt losers" in the Aviva Premiership, international club rugby. Then, closer to home, we talk about Magnificent Max Deegan and where Joey Carbery's future lies. Of course, we also throw in some ropey semi-final predictions too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to meet and chat with the legendary Serge Betsen courtesy of Heineken Rugby Club and talked about his career in the game. And of course, Serge is an absolute gent, quelle surprise! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is winning the Grand Slam the best thing ever? We ask this an other moody questions about where we are now – and where is everybody else going? Who might be next to break through? And who gets referred to as our "eminence grise"? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We ramble about the French resurgence, the English malaise, a thoroughly Schmidtian Ireland, and whether we will the Grand Slam. Oh and a big apology to James Ryan – we should never have doubted you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look back at the Wales game, look forward to the Scotland game, talk about tackling on the wing and in the second row, Ireland's problems out wide, England's lack of progress, compare national birth rates, and hype up the GRAND SLAM (shhhhhh!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Molecast is back with a lengthy exploration of what to expect when Ireland meets Wales this Saturday in the Six Nations. Then we go clubbing and get into the weeds with Ulster mini-rugby turnout levels, a Tadhg Beirne love-in, and more wild predictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look back at Ireland's victory in France and look forward to how we'll go against Italy. In the second half we look back at the other games, and forward to the other rounds of games.... and make more dreadful predictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first Demented Mole podcast looking ahead to the 2018 Six Nations, making fun of Gerbrandt Grobler, and using sound effects to spice up the chat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.