OTB Rugby

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the team news ahead of another busy weekend of Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We speak to Leinster head coach Leo Cullen as he hands a first start to Jordie Barrett for tomorrow's Investec Champions Cup clash with Clermont at the Aviva. Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu look ahead to Ulster's latest daunting task at home to Bordeaux. Cian Prendergast is back in the mix for Connacht's Challenge Cup trip to Perpignan, and we hear from Scott Fardy. Plus, Felix Jones is now a free agent...

Breakthrough player of the year Erin King joined Colm and Aisling to talk a momentous year in her career and what is next.Off The Ball Breakfast with UPMC Ireland | #orthopaediccare | #getbackinaction

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the team news for Munster's Investec Champions Cup tie away to Castres.We hear from Mike Prendergast and Calvin Nash regarding tomorrow night's trip to France.Stade Francais' would-be pro wrestling prospects have gotten off lightly following their red cards at Thomond Park last week. French prosecutors have recommended lengthy prison sentences for the Irish ex-Grenoble players accused in a rape trial. And English police have found a body following the disappearance of ex-England full-back Tom Voyce.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of the new Ireland U20 head coach. We check in with Ulster assistant Dan Soper ahead of what he's called their "must-win" Investec Champions Cup fixture with Bordeaux. Rugby Australia CEO reveals their contingency plans should Joe Schmidt walk away from the Wallabies job next year. And Lawrence Dallaglio pays a touching tribute to his missing former teammate Tom Voyce.

Off the Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster greats Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the impressive 33-7 win over Stade Francais, the upcoming trip to France to face Castres and the continuing search for the province's new head coach. 

Welcome to Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your amuse bouche for today's Off The Ball Breakfast.On this morning's show, Rafa Honigstein looks at the task ahead of Jurgen Klopp with the Red Bull group, as their sides falter in Europe.We check in with Vikki Wall, as she added an AFLW title with North Melbourne to her All Ireland football title with Meath.And Feargal O'Rourke - author of 'From Rags To Riches: The Irish Men's Team In The Professional Era - joins us in studio.Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show 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

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of Mike Prendergast putting forward his case to be the next Munster head coach. We also hear from Munster wing Calvin Nash on what would make Prendergast an excellent head coach. Ulster's worst fears regarding Ben Moxham have been confirmed. Leinster's full-back options have been depleted still further, and we speak to new signing Jordie Barrett. Shayne Bolton's rotten luck with injuries continues. And the France duo accused of rape in Argentina have seen their charges dropped.

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of two Munster players who have put pen-to-paper on new two-year contracts at the province. The Ulster winger that's the latest to try their hand with the NFL. Jack Conan looks set to stay with Leinster, plus we hear from Leo Cullen following their win away to Bristol in the Investec Champions Cup. And Mohamed Haouas is blowing his second chance at Montpellier.

Welcome to Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your little taster of all that went on on this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. This morning, The Athletic's Manchester-based Mark Critchley discussed another rough weekend for both the red and the blue halves of the city. James Tracy looks back on a mixed weekend for the Irish provinces. And Aisling O'Reilly was on the ground for yesterday's Ulster Club Football final. But today's Breakfast Bite takes a look back on the weekend's Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. In the Performance Rankings, Ger, Will and Dara ponder if Munster have turned a corner, and James Tracy analyses the performance of their pack against Stade.

On a packed Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of one (almost) definite Irish departure to France, and one potential other. There's the team news from all four provinces as the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup get underway this weekend. We hear from Leo Cullen on Jordie Barrett's debut, Stuart McCloskey on trying to stop Toulouse, Ian Costello on the brilliant early impression made by Alex Codling, and Caolin Blade ahead of his 200th Connacht appearance. Dragons flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes discusses having his finger amputated in an effort to save his career. And Lyon have replaced Jono Gibbes.