Neil Treacy is joined in our new-look RTÉ Rugby podcast studio by former Ireland international Hannah O'Connor and ex-Munster out-half Jonny Holland as we look ahead to the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

We take a broad look at the tournament as a whole (2:35), and how the game has grown since the last tournament in New Zealand three years ago.

Hannah and Jonny give their verdict on how they expect Ireland to play in this campaign (16:05), with a focus on out-half Dannah O'Brien (22:45), while we discuss how Scott Bemand will go about replacing the injured Erin King and Dorothy Wall, as well as Aoife Wafer who is set to miss the opening games (27:45).

And we take a stab at predicting our starting XV for Sunday's Pool C opener against Japan in Northampton (43:00).

Neil Treacy is joined in our new-look RTÉ Rugby podcast studio by former Ireland international Hannah O'Connor and ex-Munster out-half Jonny Holland as we look ahead to the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.We take a broad look at the tournament as a whole (2:35), and how the game has grown since the last tournament in New Zealand three years ago.Hannah and Jonny give their verdict on how they expect Ireland to play in this campaign (16:05), with a focus on out-half Dannah O'Brien (22:45), while we discuss how Scott Bemand will go about replacing the injured Erin King and Dorothy Wall, as well as Aoife Wafer who is set to miss the opening games (27:45).And we take a stab at predicting our starting XV for Sunday's Pool C opener against Japan in Northampton (43:00).

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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The wait is over as Ireland prepare for World Cup return

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.

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.

Where Rieko Ioane fits with Leinster, and a potential AIL treasure chest

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast to discuss a mixed week of results for the Irish provinces in the Investec Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

We start this week's pod with a long conversation about the impact the kicking game currently has in rugby, sparked by recent criticism of how rugby has become kick and stoppage-heavy as a result of World Rugby's clampdown on 'escorting'.

We then look back on the weekend's opening block of games in Europe, starting with how Munster capitulated in the opening quarter against Bath at The Rec (25:45).

Attention then turns to Leinster, who Gareth believes are steadily building their season, after a 45-28 win against Harlequins (36:05).

We pick out some of the Ulster players who impressed in their 61-7 hammering of Racing 92 in the Challenge Cup (43:55), while we also look over a deeply frustrating afternoon at the office for Connacht, who lost 24-21 away to Ospreys, despite leading the game 21-0 (49:00).

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast to discuss a mixed week of results for the Irish provinces in the Investec Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.We start this week's pod with a long conversation about the impact the kicking game currently has in rugby, sparked by recent criticism of how rugby has become kick and stoppage-heavy as a result of World Rugby's clampdown on 'escorting'.We then look back on the weekend's opening block of games in Europe, starting with how Munster capitulated in the opening quarter against Bath at The Rec (25:45).Attention then turns to Leinster, who Gareth believes are steadily building their season, after a 45-28 win against Harlequins (36:05).We pick out some of the Ulster players who impressed in their 61-7 hammering of Racing 92 in the Challenge Cup (43:55), while we also look over a deeply frustrating afternoon at the office for Connacht, who lost 24-21 away to Ospreys, despite leading the game 21-0 (49:00).

The kick-escort debate and a mixed provincial Euro week

Neil Treacy is joined on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to recap the big stories of the week in the world of rugby.

We discuss the major news of the day from the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw, where Ireland will face Scotland, Portugal and Uruguay in Pool D, and we break down how Ireland's path through the tournament could look, depending on where they finish in the pool.

We also discuss Even Etzebeth's red card for eye-gouging from South Africa's win against Wales last weekend, while we talk through another frustrating injury layoff for Mack Hansen, who has undergone surgery on a foot issue.

Bernard and Jonny speak up in defence of Jacques Nienaber, after the Leinster senior coach was criticised for leaving the door open around a potential return to the Springboks for the World Cup.

And we take a look ahead at the start of the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cups, which begin this week.

Neil Treacy is joined on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to recap the big stories of the week in the world of rugby.We discuss the major news of the day from the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw, where Ireland will face Scotland, Portugal and Uruguay in Pool D, and we break down how Ireland's path through the tournament could look, depending on where they finish in the pool.We also discuss Even Etzebeth's red card for eye-gouging from South Africa's win against Wales last weekend, while we talk through another frustrating injury layoff for Mack Hansen, who has undergone surgery on a foot issue.Bernard and Jonny speak up in defence of Jacques Nienaber, after the Leinster senior coach was criticised for leaving the door open around a potential return to the Springboks for the World Cup.And we take a look ahead at the start of the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cups, which begin this week.

The wait is over as Ireland prepare for World Cup return

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