OTB Rugby

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.

Leinster today announced a renewal of their sponsorship deal with Just Eat, and to mark the occasion Off The Ball's Aisling O'Reilly caught up with three of their stars at the Aviva. Hooker Dan Sheehan gave us an update on his recovery from an ACL injury. Tommy O'Brien discusses his international ambitions, and his speed over the hurdles on the track. And centre Leah Tarpey on representing Ireland, and the Laois footballers too.

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Leinster ahead of their Investec Champions Cup opener away to Bristol - a game you can hear live and exclusively on Sunday's Off The Ball. Dan Sheehan gives us an update on his ACL injury, and when he expects to return. Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is sentenced following his domestic abuse court case. Referees have joined the heave against the English RFU's top brass. Lyon have identified one of their former players to return as head coach. And the Springboks first post-apartheid head coach has died.

Former Ireland international rugby player and former Leinster head coach, Tania Rosser, joined Eoin Sheahan to discuss her time as a player, her coaching inspiration and the challenges she faced as a female player and coach in a male dominated profession. ‘Settle in’ in partnership with Guinness 0.0.

On this week's episode of The Red 78, Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes join Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan to discuss Chris Boyd's arrival as performance consultant, Munster's win over the Lions and the Investec Champions Cup clash with Stade Français.(0.00) Intro and comments(3.14) Chris Boyd as performance consultant(10.45) Review of the win over the Lions(23.02) Stade Français previewGet in contact on Twitter @rugbychannel15 or email therugbychannel@bauermedia.ie

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Ulster ahead of their daunting Investec Champions Cup opener away to Toulouse. We hear from head coach Richie Murphy on Ulster's injury crisis in the back-three, and the old boy they've welcomed back to the fold this week. Jack Crowley discusses the competition for the starting out-half berth with Ireland. And the English RFU is in revolt over bonuses paid to their top brass.

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of a Super Rugby-winning coaching appointment at Munster.We hear from Jordan Larmour and Robin McBryde on Leinster's Investec Champions Cup pool opener away to Bristol, and the latest on the confusing timeline around Tadhg Furlong's hamstring injury, and hopes for a Jordie Barrett debut.Pete Wilkins discusses Connacht's potential outing in Mayo in the spring.Plus, there's bad news for La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara.

Welcome to this morning's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, the Gaelic football power rankings return - this time in the hands of Tommy Rooney. The Wayne Rooney Experiment at Plymouth seems to be failing - Chris Errington will tell us why. And the latest on Munster's search for a new head coach with the Irish Daily Mail's Rory Keane. This morning's Breakfast Bite focuses on rugby, and the tradition of respecting the kicker - Ger, Colm and Arthur ponder if that tradition is in fact a nonsense. 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 Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Munster where centre Alex Nankivell is the latest to commit their next two years to the province. There's interest from France in not one, not two, but three Ireland internationals. We hear for the first time from new Leinster signing Jordie Barrett. Plus, a rape trial is underway in Bordeaux where ex-Ireland centre Chris Farrell, and former Connacht prop Denis Coulson are among the accused.

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest ahead of Ireland's test with the Wallabies. Captain Caelan Doris pays tribute to record-breaking Cian Healy, and calls on the players to make for a smooth transition as Andy Farrell steps away from Ireland duty. There's a debut in the Munster front row for tomorrow's URC visit of the Emirates Lions to Thomond Park. And Connacht's injury problems are starting to ease as the Vodacom Bulls come to Galway. Plus, there's a big update on the redevelopment of the RDS.