Maul mania, Prendergast's form, and Champions Cup is back
Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley and former Leinster and Connacht centre Tom Daly on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we break down another mixed week for the Irish provinces in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Daly discusses his decision to retire from rugby this summer, after finishing his career with Lansdowne last season.
With maul tries on the up and up in the first few weeks of the season, we ask whether it's becoming too easy to score through that route now that officials have clamped down on defence.
The podcast breaks down an impressive performance from Sam Prendergast in Leinster's 29-5 win against Cardiff last week, as well as a back and forth contest in Belfast between Ulster and Munster.
With Munster set to face Racing 92 in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, Keatley discusses the legacy of his former head coach Anthony Foley, 10 years on from his death.
We also look at the challenge facing Connacht this season as they juggle URC and Champions Cup commitments.
And we finish by considering what impact the tweaks to the bonus-points system will have in this season's Champions Cup.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Tom Daly talks about his decision to retire
07:35 - Is it too easy to score maul tries now?
14:45 - Sam Prendergast's renewed confidence
24:35 - Ulster's attacking game saving their leaky defence
31:10 - Ian Keatley remembers Anthony Foley, 10 years on from his death
35:00 - Poor starts have cost Munster in the Champions Cup in recent seasons
42:40 - Connacht's challenge in the Champions Cup
48:55 - Tweaks to the format of this season's Champions Cup
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7 Oct 2026
Good week to be an out-half, scrum issues in SA, Sheehan and Djougang interview
Neil Treacy is joined by former Munster wing Johne Murphy as we look back on the big news of the week in Irish rugby.
On a weekend where several Irish out-halves caught the eye, Johne discusses how thrilling it was to see 20-year-old Charlie O'Shea grab the game by the scruff of the neck, as Munster beat the Bulls 26-22 at Thomond Park.
We look ahead to this weekend's first Interpro of the season, as Ulster host Munster on Saturday, with Ulster coming in off the back of a breathless 33-33 draw with Glasgow Warriors.
The podcast looks at Leinster's narrow defeat away to the Bulls last Saturday, which saw Leo Cullen's side heavily penalised at the scrum.
And we recap Connacht's gritty win against Benetton, where Ciarán Frawley marked his debut with a pair of tries in a thrilling display.
Later, Neil is joined by Leinster and Ireland pair Dan Sheehan and then Linda Djougang, ahead of the province's return to Laya Arena against Cardiff on Saturday.
00:00 - Irish out-halves shine
01:25 - Charlie O'Shea announces himself to Thomond Park
10:25 - Jack Aungier locks out Munster's scrum
16:15 - Ulster's crazy draw away to Glasgow Warriors
21:05 - Missed opportunity for Ulster?
24:30 - Johne's thoughts on Jamie Benson?
26:00 - Leinster lose, but nick a bonus-point against Sharks
31:05 - How to fix Irish scrum issues?
40:05 - Caspar Gabriel and Sam Prendergast at out-half
43:05 - Ciarán Frawley's epic Connacht debut
52:05 - Dan Sheehan speaks to the RTÉ Rugby podcast
01:04:38 - Ireland and Leinster prop Linda Djougang
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30 Sept 2026
O'Mahony's Munster worries, provincial URC shutout, WXV Global Series recap
Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley on this week's RTE Rugby podcast, as we look back on a tough start to the URC for the four Irish provinces.
Former Munster out-half Keatley reacts to some explosive comments from his former captain Peter O'Mahony on the current state of Munster Rugby, and agrees that changes are needed in the way the organisation is run if they are to get back to former glory.
The ex-Ireland international also recaps the province's defeat to Glasgow Warriors last Saturday, where he was encouraged by some elements of their game, in spite of the 26-20 loss.
We look at Leinster's defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg, and pick out some of the positives Leo Cullen may have taken from a game where his side picked up two losing-bonus points.
We analyse how Connacht were worn down in the final quarter by a powerful Stormers side in Galway on Friday night, and we look at how Ulster face a daunting trip to Glasgow as they try to rebound from their defeat to Edinburgh.
00:00 - Hitting the panic button after four defeats for the provinces?
05:25 - Ian reacts to Peter O'Mahony's comments on how Munster Rugby is run
15:00 - Some positives in spits of defeat for Munster?
18:20 - Signs of a new style of playing with Munster?
22:50 - Caelan Doris reported to be out until the new year
24:45 - Leinster pick up two bonus-points - will Leo Cullen be satisfied with that?
33:00 - Connacht ground down by relentless Stormers
35:15 - Have Irish teams got an issue playing the South Africans?
41:10 - How much is Ian reading into Ulster's shocking 50 minutes against Edinburgh?
48:30 - WXV with Hannah O'Connor
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Who has been a guest on RTÉ Rugby Podcast
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Jonny Holland
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