Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on the final RTÉ Rugby podcast of the season, as we recap Ireland's Nations Championship tour, and their 40-21 defeat to New Zealand.

We look into some of the "uncharacteristic" errors that littered the opening half of their defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park, which ensured they were always chasing the game on Saturday.

Jonny looks at how New Zealand out-half Ruben Love dictated the All Blacks tempo, while we look at the out-half picture in Ireland heading into a World Cup year.

We put a microscope over some of the contentious refereeing decisions from Eden Park on Saturday, and ask whether Ireland have a right to feel aggrieved by the yellow card for Luke Jacobson in the first half.

And we discuss which players could force their way into the Irish team next season, as Ireland look to close the gap on South Africa, France and New Zealand.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro

05:00 - Have Ireland fallen behind the Big 3 in world rugby?

08:30 - Ireland's uncharacteristic errors

19:00 - Ruben Love's influence for the All Blacks

23:00 - Ireland's out-half picture after this season

27:40 - Ireland's refereeing frustrations

46:25 - How do we look back on Ireland's season as a whole?

50:50 - Who could be Ireland's breakout star next season?

56:30 - Is Jonny confident Ireland can iron out their issues?

Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on the final RTÉ Rugby podcast of the season, as we recap Ireland's Nations Championship tour, and their 40-21 defeat to New Zealand.We look into some of the "uncharacteristic" errors that littered the opening half of their defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park, which ensured they were always chasing the game on Saturday.Jonny looks at how New Zealand out-half Ruben Love dictated the All Blacks tempo, while we look at the out-half picture in Ireland heading into a World Cup year.We put a microscope over some of the contentious refereeing decisions from Eden Park on Saturday, and ask whether Ireland have a right to feel aggrieved by the yellow card for Luke Jacobson in the first half.And we discuss which players could force their way into the Irish team next season, as Ireland look to close the gap on South Africa, France and New Zealand.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro05:00 - Have Ireland fallen behind the Big 3 in world rugby?08:30 - Ireland's uncharacteristic errors19:00 - Ruben Love's influence for the All Blacks23:00 - Ireland's out-half picture after this season27:40 - Ireland's refereeing frustrations46:25 - How do we look back on Ireland's season as a whole?50:50 - Who could be Ireland's breakout star next season?56:30 - Is Jonny confident Ireland can iron out their issues?

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

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How do Ireland close the gap after a season of ups and downs?

Ahead of the All Blacks Test in Auckland Hugh Cahill is joined by Bernard Jackman in studio, with Neil Treacy dialling in from New Zealand.

The lads discuss Ireland's patchy performance against Japan and look ahead to the challenge of trying to snap the All Blacks' incredible winning run at Eden Park.

They also consider the contrast between New Zealand's decisiveness in hiring Dave Rennie and Australia's slow handover from Joe Schmidt to Les Kiss.

Finally there is an interesting exchange between Bernard and Neil regarding the latter's interview with IRFU performance director David Humphrey's last week.

TIMESTAMPS

0:30 Ireland's disjointed outing against Japan. To be expected or a concern?
6:45 What is behind the lineout issues? Bernard puts it down to an inability to solve problems on the hoof.
12:00 A look at the nascent Dave Rennie All Blacks - lots of talent, lots of speed and very hard to shutdown.
14:00 Fitness update on Robert Baloucoune and Jeremy Loughman. The team will need to be rejigged but Bernard feels it is essential to get pace of Baloucoune in the XV.
20:00 What to do with back row. Can you fit two options on the bench and give Sean Jansen a chance to impact game against his native land?
22:00 Bernard confident team well placed to put it up to All Blacks. Andy Farrell gets big performances when he looks for one. All Blacks a work in progress despite Eden Park record.
25:45 The contrast between Dave Rennie and Les Kiss situations - why did Australia not give Kiss these three Tests to get up to speed ahead of the World Cup?
31:45 David Humphreys interview. Bernard’s comments have been noted by travelling press pack. Neil rejects notion it was a soft interview just because people don’t like the answers.

Ahead of the All Blacks Test in Auckland Hugh Cahill is joined by Bernard Jackman in studio, with Neil Treacy dialling in from New Zealand.The lads discuss Ireland's patchy performance against Japan and look ahead to the challenge of trying to snap the All Blacks' incredible winning run at Eden Park.They also consider the contrast between New Zealand's decisiveness in hiring Dave Rennie and Australia's slow handover from Joe Schmidt to Les Kiss.Finally there is an interesting exchange between Bernard and Neil regarding the latter's interview with IRFU performance director David Humphrey's last week.TIMESTAMPS0:30 Ireland's disjointed outing against Japan. To be expected or a concern? 6:45 What is behind the lineout issues? Bernard puts it down to an inability to solve problems on the hoof. 12:00 A look at the nascent Dave Rennie All Blacks - lots of talent, lots of speed and very hard to shutdown. 14:00 Fitness update on Robert Baloucoune and Jeremy Loughman. The team will need to be rejigged but Bernard feels it is essential to get pace of Baloucoune in the XV. 20:00 What to do with back row. Can you fit two options on the bench and give Sean Jansen a chance to impact game against his native land? 22:00 Bernard confident team well placed to put it up to All Blacks. Andy Farrell gets big performances when he looks for one. All Blacks a work in progress despite Eden Park record. 25:45 The contrast between Dave Rennie and Les Kiss situations - why did Australia not give Kiss these three Tests to get up to speed ahead of the World Cup? 31:45 David Humphreys interview. Bernard’s comments have been noted by travelling press pack. Neil rejects notion it was a soft interview just because people don’t like the answers.

Disjointed Ireland ready for beast of Eden? | That David Humphreys interview 

Hugh Cahill presents this week's RTÉ Rugby Podcast and is joined by Bernard Jackman in studio, while Neil Treacy dials in from his Sydney hotel room.

The lads dissect Ireland's opening Nations Championship win over Australia and look ahead to Japan this weekend.

They also take a look at the All Blacks' win over a weakened France and South Africa's ruthless display of force against England.

TIMESTAMPS

0'10" Rugby in July - is it strange? How are Ireland feeling at the end of a very long season.

3'20" How did Australia lose that game? Hugh reckons, like the Cork hurlers, winning isn't a habit yet.

8'20" Should Australia have taken that late kick at goal amid ongoing issues at half-back?

12'45" Neil assesses Sam Prendergast's performance as the out-half rebuilds his confidence away from the intense scrutiny of a Six Nations.

17'10" Ciarán Frawley likely to start against Japan as Andy Farrell set to make an unusual number of changes.

18'50" All Blacks remain a work in progress under Dave Rennie.

20'30" England not getting better under Steve Borthwick. Bernard has heard Johann van Graan being sized up as his replacement.

27'10" Springboks' excellence built on battle stats.

34'10" Update on Jeremy Loughman and Irsh health ahead of Japan Test.

36'00" Neil's packing technique versus Moss Keane

Hugh Cahill presents this week's RTÉ Rugby Podcast and is joined by Bernard Jackman in studio, while Neil Treacy dials in from his Sydney hotel room.The lads dissect Ireland's opening Nations Championship win over Australia and look ahead to Japan this weekend.They also take a look at the All Blacks' win over a weakened France and South Africa's ruthless display of force against England.TIMESTAMPS0'10" Rugby in July - is it strange? How are Ireland feeling at the end of a very long season.3'20" How did Australia lose that game? Hugh reckons, like the Cork hurlers, winning isn't a habit yet.8'20" Should Australia have taken that late kick at goal amid ongoing issues at half-back?12'45" Neil assesses Sam Prendergast's performance as the out-half rebuilds his confidence away from the intense scrutiny of a Six Nations.17'10" Ciarán Frawley likely to start against Japan as Andy Farrell set to make an unusual number of changes.18'50" All Blacks remain a work in progress under Dave Rennie.20'30" England not getting better under Steve Borthwick. Bernard has heard Johann van Graan being sized up as his replacement.27'10" Springboks' excellence built on battle stats.34'10" Update on Jeremy Loughman and Irsh health ahead of Japan Test.36'00" Neil's packing technique versus Moss Keane

What we learned from first week of the Nations Championship

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson as we preview the start of Ireland's Nations Championship campaign against Australia in Sydney.

We discuss whether or not the new Nations Championship format will be a success, and discuss some of the travel challenges facing teams in 2026.

The panel break down a couple of the key selection calls Andy Farrell will be dealing with this week ahead of meeting the Wallabies.

And we also pay tribute to former Ireland women's head coach Philip Doyle, who died last week, while also discussing the new tweaks to the Champions Cup for next season.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Will the Nations Championship improve the game?

07:45 - Too much travel for teams?

11:10 - Can Ireland win the Nations Championship?

20:40 - Who starts at out-half against the Wallabies?

33:50 - What will the back row look like with Caelan Doris out?

39:35 - How will the new maul refereeing interpretations affect Ireland?

44:55 - Philip Doyle RIP

48:40 - Tweaks to the Champions Cup

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson as we preview the start of Ireland's Nations Championship campaign against Australia in Sydney.We discuss whether or not the new Nations Championship format will be a success, and discuss some of the travel challenges facing teams in 2026.The panel break down a couple of the key selection calls Andy Farrell will be dealing with this week ahead of meeting the Wallabies.And we also pay tribute to former Ireland women's head coach Philip Doyle, who died last week, while also discussing the new tweaks to the Champions Cup for next season.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Will the Nations Championship improve the game?07:45 - Too much travel for teams?11:10 - Can Ireland win the Nations Championship?20:40 - Who starts at out-half against the Wallabies?33:50 - What will the back row look like with Caelan Doris out?39:35 - How will the new maul refereeing interpretations affect Ireland?44:55 - Philip Doyle RIP48:40 - Tweaks to the Champions Cup

How do Ireland close the gap after a season of ups and downs?

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