Hugh Cahill and Bernard Jackman dive deeper into the state of Irish rugby as the senior men's team face into a critical Six Nations clash with a resurgent Italy on Saturday.

Bernard has had a lot of correspondence in recent days from people who are very engaged and concerned about the future of Irish rugby (2:00), even if there is a feeling of disconnect among others. He cites the small crowd at the Ireland XV game in Limerick on Friday night.

Hugh asks Bernard for his take on the theory that Jacques Nienaber is to blame for Ireland's poor form... Spoiler alert, he isn't buying it (10:00).

Ireland are the only team in the world chasing a high phase count, believes Bernard, when the game now requires a different, less draining approach.

Has closing the foreign project player pathway impacted Ireland negatively (18:00)? The IRFU can't be surprised given the rule change so the onus is on the provinces to identify the talent.

Looking ahead to Italy, Bernard believes Andy Farrell will drop some frontliners this weekend (21:00), whatever the risks involved against an Azzurri unit who have their tails up.

Bryn Ward being promoted from the XV bench to the senior 23 at the Aviva would be a remarkable rise, with Bernard also making a case for Edwin Edogbo.

The loss of leadership from retirements of Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony is being felt but Bernard says that shortfall has to come from the new generation of players, rather than coach Johnny Sexton (25:00). But are the new generation cut from the same cloth?

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As Andy Farrell names his XV to play France Hugh Cahill is joined in studio by Bernard Jackman, with Neil Treacy dialling in from Paris.

The lads react to the Ireland head coach's personnel choices, as Cian Prendergast and Jacob Stockdale are rewarded for their recent form with starting positions for Thursday's Six Nations opener against France.

The younger Prendergast brother, Sam, gets the nod at out-half. It's no real surprise, even if his defence remains a talking point - particularly given France's lightning quick back three.

With the team and matchday squad now named, focus must turn to Ireland's discipline and how they can remain on the right side of the officials in the Stade de France.

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Neil Treacy and Bernard Jackman are joined on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast by journalist Simon Thomas, as we take a deep dive into the latest controversy in Welsh rugby.

Simon, one of the most respected rugby writers in Wales, brings us up to speed on the WRU's plans to reduce their professional programme from four teams to three, with the Ospreys looking most likely to be disbanded after their current owners were revealed to be the preferred bidders to take over Cardiff.

As well as looking at what this means for the Ospreys in the immediate future, we also find out how it has come to this, and the wider implications in both Welsh rugby and the URC.

Later in the podcast (31:50), we react to the latest injury setback for Ireland ahead of the Six Nations, with Jack Boyle ruled out with an achilles injury, and Connacht's 20-year-old loosehead Billy Bohan called up.

And we also discuss the concerns Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will have around his players' relationships with referees, who appear to be losing patience with the amount of backchat in games.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast as we give our instant reaction to the Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the Guinness Six Nations.

We look through all of the big calls made by head coach Andy Farrell, including the call-ups for uncapped pair Edwin Edogbo and Nathan Doak.

With injury ruling out a number of players, including Andrew Porter and Robbie Henshaw, we discuss the opportunity ahead for some players who are back in the squad after time away, including Harry Byrne, Rob Baloucoune and Tom Stewart.

Neil and Bernard examine Munster's shock exit from the Investec Champions Cup, and look ahead to this weekend's big Interpro between Connacht and Leinster.

Also this week, Neil is joined by Ireland and Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan (49:55) to get his perspective ahead of the 2026 Six Nations.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, where there is a packed schedule of transfer news and Champions Cup action to get through.

We discuss the reports from New Zealand this morning which are suggesting Ardie Savea could be the latest All Blacks star to make a move to Leinster, although Bernard isn't convinced it's more than a wild rumour.

The podcast also breaks down where Joey Carbery fits with Leinster, as the Ireland international looks set to return to his home province next season.

Bernard and Jonny look through the options at loosehead prop for Ireland in the upcoming Six Nations, as injuries to Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy create a blend of crisis and opportunity for head coach Andy Farrell.

We run through Leinster and Munster's Investec Champions Cup games last weekend, with Leinster defeating La Rochelle and Munster coming up just short away to Toulon, with poor discipline a running theme through both of those games.

And we discuss the legacy that Jean Kleyn leaves in both Munster and Irish rugby, with the South African lock departing for Gloucester at the end of the season.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on the first RTÉ Rugby podcast of 2026, as we look back on wins for Ulster and Leinster in the New Year Interpros.

First up, we take a look at another impressive Ulster win, as they enjoyed an emphatic 28-3 win against Munster.

It continues a fine start to the season for Richie Murphy's side, who have undergone a complete rebuild in the last two seasons.

We also look at which Ulster players may have caught the eye of Ireland coach Andy Farrell as the Six Nations looms.

The podcast also discusses Munster's recent struggle for form, and how head coach Clayton McMillan looks set to make some ruthless calls as he begins to settle on his best team.

We break down an impressive Leinster performance as they hammered Connacht at Aviva Stadium, with the same old failings for Stuart Lancaster's side.

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It's Winterpro season on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, as Neil Treacy and Bernard Jackman break down the key points from this week's URC Irish derbies.

We look back at Leinster's win against Munster at Thomond Park, which was full of blood and thunder, but light on quality.

Munster's Tadhg Beirne is the latest player to voice his frustration with the way rugby is currently being played, but Bernard is growing frustrated at how it only seems to be people in Irish rugby who are struggling to adapt to the current trends.

We look at the big news from Connacht, who confirmed the signing of Ciarán Frawley for next season, and we ask whether more players will follow the versatile Leinster back in making a cross-province transfer this season.

And we also give Ulster their credit, as Richie Murphy's side continue their impressive start to the season.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Brett Igoe on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast to recap the big rugby news of the week.

We look back at a pair of wins for Leinster and Munster in the Investec Champions Cup, both of which had a common thread of Irish sides struggling to convert from inside the 22.

We discuss how Leinster can better utilise the skills of their All Black signing Rieko Ioane, and whether the glass is half full or half empty for Leo Cullen's side after their dogged win at Welford Road.

The panel looks at Ulster's chances in this Friday night's big Interpro at Aviva Stadium, and ask whether Ulster out-half Jack Murphy could make a play for an Ireland call-up.

Off the back of Conor Bartley's impressive cameo for Munster at the weekend, we wonder whether the provinces are starting to put more stock in using the All Ireland League as a development tool.

And we look ahead to an important run of games for Connacht under new head coach Stuart Lancaster.

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