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.

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.

Neil Treacy brings you the latest news from the world of rugby, in the company of Bernard Jackman and RTÉ's best rugby analysts.

RTÉ Rugby Podcast

Andy Farrell rolls the dice for France opener

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Hannah O'Connor as we recap the big talking points from the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cups, while also taking a look ahead at Ireland's Guinness Women's Six Nations campaign.

We look at the positives and negatives from Leinster's chaotic 49-31 win against Edinburgh on Sunday, where their attack finally started to click, but also contributed to a messy win.

We try to pick apart Munster's horrendous first half performance in Exeter as they fell to a 31-21 defeat to the Chiefs, while we also discuss wins for Connacht and Ulster as they march through to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Hannah and Bernard cast their eye ahead to the Women's Six Nations, as Ireland open their campaign up against world champions England at Twickenham on Saturday.

And we finish this week's podcast with some listener questions.

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Hannah O'Connor as we recap the big talking points from the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cups, while also taking a look ahead at Ireland's Guinness Women's Six Nations campaign.We look at the positives and negatives from Leinster's chaotic 49-31 win against Edinburgh on Sunday, where their attack finally started to click, but also contributed to a messy win.We try to pick apart Munster's horrendous first half performance in Exeter as they fell to a 31-21 defeat to the Chiefs, while we also discuss wins for Connacht and Ulster as they march through to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.Hannah and Bernard cast their eye ahead to the Women's Six Nations, as Ireland open their campaign up against world champions England at Twickenham on Saturday.And we finish this week's podcast with some listener questions.

Leinster's loose attack, Munster malaise and Women's Six Nations preview

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy on the RTÉ Rugby podcast as attention turns to the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

As Leinster lead the way for Ireland in the Champions Cup, we take a temperature check on where Leo Cullen's side are as they head into the business end of the season, with their discipline and cards the major focus point.

We look at the importance of Jack Crowley to Munster's fortunes, as the out-half showed his class in Pretoria, in spite of another defeat for the province.

We ask whether Connacht can make it six wins in a row for just the third time ever, with Stuart Lancaster's in-form side hosting Sharks in the Challenge Cup on Friday.

And we take a look at Ulster's efforts to bulk up their squad for next season, after their bonus-point win away to Zebre.

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy on the RTÉ Rugby podcast as attention turns to the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.As Leinster lead the way for Ireland in the Champions Cup, we take a temperature check on where Leo Cullen's side are as they head into the business end of the season, with their discipline and cards the major focus point.We look at the importance of Jack Crowley to Munster's fortunes, as the out-half showed his class in Pretoria, in spite of another defeat for the province.We ask whether Connacht can make it six wins in a row for just the third time ever, with Stuart Lancaster's in-form side hosting Sharks in the Challenge Cup on Friday.And we take a look at Ulster's efforts to bulk up their squad for next season, after their bonus-point win away to Zebre.

Leinster's cards, Crowley's class, and knockout rugby has arrived

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast as we look back on a mixed week for the Irish provinces in the URC.

We discuss Connacht's best performance of the season as they fronted up on defence to secure a bonus-point win away to Ulster, led by the brilliant Bundee Aki.

The panel also discuss Jack Carty's legacy at Dexcom Stadium after the out-half confirmed he would retire at the end of the season.

We analyse how Ulster can pick up the pieces and finish what has been a promising season on a high, and we dig into two miserable outings for Munster and Leinster in their heavy defeats to the Sharks and Glasgow.

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast as we look back on a mixed week for the Irish provinces in the URC.We discuss Connacht's best performance of the season as they fronted up on defence to secure a bonus-point win away to Ulster, led by the brilliant Bundee Aki.The panel also discuss Jack Carty's legacy at Dexcom Stadium after the out-half confirmed he would retire at the end of the season.We analyse how Ulster can pick up the pieces and finish what has been a promising season on a high, and we dig into two miserable outings for Munster and Leinster in their heavy defeats to the Sharks and Glasgow.

Andy Farrell rolls the dice for France opener

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