OTB Rugby

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of Saturday's showdown with France. We hear from scrum coach John Fogarty on Tadhg Furlong's battle to be fit, plus Mack Hansen on the desire to send Ireland's retiring trio out on a high. France have injury concerns over an experienced member of their scrum. Les Bleus have reopened old wounds ahead of their trip to Dublin. Connacht have a new senior assistant coach. And we hear from Jamie George as he craves comfort against Italy.

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of two players moving to IRFU central contracts in the summer. There's an update on the health of the squad ahead of Saturday's crunch with France. The FFR have made contact with World Rugby over the discrepancies in the bans of Garry Ringrose and Romain Ntamack. And could Ronan O'Gara be given a new voice in the La Rochelle coaches room?

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news from the three provinces in action in the URC tomorrow. It's a Soroka family affair for Leinster who welcome Cardiff to the Aviva, and we hear from Leo Cullen. Ulster centre James Hume outlines the extent of his injury lows as Ulster prepare to entertain the Scarlets. And Connacht's Paul Boyle provides insight into the challenge posed by Benetton this week. We hear more from Conor Murray following his decision to retire from international action. Plus, the latest ins and outs at Leicester.

On a PACKED edition of Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you reaction to the news that Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray are all retiring. We hear from Murray himself, who still has road to travel on the club front, as well as Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell. Alan Quinlan and Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis react to the appointment of Clayton McMillan as the next Munster head coach. There's team news for Ireland's Six Nations showdown with France, including the latest on Tadhg Furlong. Felix Jones is back in a very familiar job. A clutch of players are to return to action for Munster tomorrow night in Cork, as Denis Leamy discusses the visit of Edinburgh. And a France prop is in more trouble with the law.

OTB's Ger Gilroy, Adrian Barry & Richie McCormack react to the news that Cian Healy, Conor Murray & Peter O'Mahony will retire from international rugby at the end of the Six Nations. Rugby on Off The Ball, with Bank of Ireland.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the appointment of Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan as their new head coach from July. There's also a preview of the clash with Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park, as the Reds look to maintain their decent URC form. 

Brian O'Driscoll speaks to Off The Ball's Alanna Cunnane as Guinness partners with Field of Vision, the pioneers of fan inclusivity, to bring a revolutionary sensory experience to visually impaired fans at this year's Men and Women's Six Nations Championships. "Thanks to a cutting-edge device which uses a touch-based technology and a bespoke haptic language, visually impaired fans can now feel every tackle, try and kick instantly, as well as knowing precisely where the play is happening on the pitch, transforming the game of rugby." Brought to you by Guinness and Guinness 0.0.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest regarding Mack Hansen's new deal. We hear from Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins regarding Hansen's return to form, and the process of tying down his out-halves to new deals. Hugo Keenan has given an insight into Brian Fenton's influence on Ireland's win in Cardiff. Brian O'Driscoll has his say on Garry Ringrose's 20-minute red card. And English plans to cap a South African-born centre look to have been scuppered.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest on Garry Ringrose's disciplinary hearing. Munster count the cost of that ill-fated Ireland 'A' game at Ashton Gate, and we speak to John Ryan. Pete Wilkins also has injury concerns at Connacht, and he's provided an update on their out-half depth chart with JJ Hanrahan departing. Rob Russell is back for Leinster, and we hear from their attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal. And Ma'a Nonu is back in top level rugby at the age of 42.

Welcome to Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Kilkenny legend Tommy Walsh looked back over the weekend's Allianz Hurling League action. Former Ireland hooker James Tracy analysed Ireland's scrum performance in Cardiff. OTB's own Kathleen McNamee helped preview this evening's Women's Nations League game away to Slovenia for the Republic of Ireland. Plus, Saipan, Leeds and the never-ending downfall of Manchester United were all covered by Ger, Colm and Arthur. But this morning's Bite first checks in with Tommy Walsh, and his new-found love of padel. Then it's the turn of James Tracy. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join