Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on this week's RTE Rugby podcast, as we break down the big stories of the week in Irish rugby.

We start this week's podcast with some big breaking new out of Leinster, as they confirm the appointment of Noel McNamara as their next head coach, with the Clare native replacing Leo Cullen at the end of the season.

The podcast quickly recaps the opening block of URC games, with Leinster starting to click into gear, while the other three Irish provinces struggle for consistency in the bottom half of the table.

We look at how Ireland will hope to bridge the gap between themselves and the best teams in the world during the upcoming Nations Championship campaign.

And we discuss some of the selection calls facing Ireland head coach Andy Farrell ahead of Friday night's meeting with Argentina at Aviva Stadium.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Noel McNamara to become Leinster's head coach

16:30 - Leinster's second string hammer Connacht

21:40 - Connacht, Munster and Ulster have a lot to work on

32:25 - How do Ireland bridge the gap to the best in the world?

38:10 - Who starts at 13 for Ireland?

40:19 - Wing decisions

42:35 - The second row and back row mix?

45:40 - Can Joey Carbery break back into the mix?

52:40 - Argentina's threats

Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on this week's RTE Rugby podcast, as we break down the big stories of the week in Irish rugby.We start this week's podcast with some big breaking new out of Leinster, as they confirm the appointment of Noel McNamara as their next head coach, with the Clare native replacing Leo Cullen at the end of the season.The podcast quickly recaps the opening block of URC games, with Leinster starting to click into gear, while the other three Irish provinces struggle for consistency in the bottom half of the table.We look at how Ireland will hope to bridge the gap between themselves and the best teams in the world during the upcoming Nations Championship campaign.And we discuss some of the selection calls facing Ireland head coach Andy Farrell ahead of Friday night's meeting with Argentina at Aviva Stadium.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Noel McNamara to become Leinster's head coach16:30 - Leinster's second string hammer Connacht21:40 - Connacht, Munster and Ulster have a lot to work on32:25 - How do Ireland bridge the gap to the best in the world?38:10 - Who starts at 13 for Ireland?40:19 - Wing decisions42:35 - The second row and back row mix?45:40 - Can Joey Carbery break back into the mix?52:40 - Argentina's threats

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

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

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