Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey look ahead to the big one this weekend in Cape Town.

The42 Rugby Weekly

The Big, Slightly Frightened, Lions-'Boks 1st Test Preview

Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey look back on a tour-igniting battle between the South African 'A' team and the Lions, and discuss where it went right for Rassie's men versus where it went wrong for Gatland's tourists. The lads also discuss John Cooney's comments about Johnny Sexton during the week, the potential benefits of the United Rugby Championship's partnership with Roc Nation, the introduction of new law trials and independent concussion consultants, Ireland's U20s campaign, the senior men's team's autumn schedule, and France's 'second string' beating the Wallabies.

All hail The Waterboy's 'Boks; plus John Cooney's Sexton gripe, and URC/Roc Nation collab

Murray Kinsella and Bernard Jackman join Gavan Casey to discuss a Lions tour so disrupted by Covid-19 that it's beginning to give the lads second thoughts as to whether or not the Tests will go ahead and, more pertinently, whether or not they even should. Murray and Bernard also assess Ireland U20s turnaround against Italy, Italian rugby's hopefully brighter future, Andy Farrell's youthful matchday 23 to face the USA, and the European Super Cup for clubs from Tier 2 European nations.

This Lions tour...is it just wrong? Plus Farrell's debutants, Carty in the USA, and Italy's future

Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey look ahead to the Lions' opener in South Africa and try to wrap their heads around what kind of tour captain Conor Murray will be. The lads also preview Ireland's re-run with Japan this Saturday -- a game which both Gavan and Bernard believe they might lose -- and tonight's (Thursday night's) exciting-looking U20s showdown with England. Earlier in the show, Bernard and Murray discuss two unfortunate realities facing Tongan and Samoan rugby, the scheduling conflict causing ire within Irish women's rugby, and Harlequins' barn-burning Premiership victory

How will 'Skips' Murray fare in SA? Plus Pacific problems, 'Quins courage, and U20s/Japan previews

Bernard Jackman and Murray Kinsella join Gavan Casey, the latter fresh off a week 'on the piss' in Kerry, for a jam-packed Thursday pod. The lads discuss the Ireland men's Sevens' team's Olympic medal chances, Connacht back row Seán O'Brien's retirement due to concussion, the introduction of the 50/22 law trial at Test level, the Lions' opening fixture through a Japanese lens, and the Gallagher Premiership and Top 14 finals which take place this weekend. Plus, following Noel McNamara's move to the URC-bound Sharks, Bernard gives an anecdote-laden insight into the life of an Irish coach abroad.

Trials and tribulations of an Irish coach abroad, Japan's Lions Test, 50/22 news, Prem/Top 14 finals

Bernard Jackman and Garry Doyle join Murray Kinsella to chat about the United Rugby Championship, Ireland's summer squad, the U20 Six Nations, and a massive weekend for 7s rugby in Ireland.

The new era, Ireland's World Cup finds, U20s and Olympics

Bernard Jackman and Murray Kinsella assess Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht's campaigns and answer loads of listener questions as the 2020/21 provincial season draws to a close.

Where do the Irish provinces stand after the weirdest season ever?

Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey take the learnings from David Nucifora's biannual briefing, plus Murray and Bernard have it out over Sean O'Brien's departure from Connacht to Exeter.

The Great Sean O'Brien Debate, plus Nucifora once again leaves us with more questions than answers

Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey assess the Champions Cup final and what happens next for La Rochelle. The lads then get stuck into the world of rugby punditry, fielding questions and sharing their own thoughts, preferences and experiences from the sport's multimedia industry.

Murray and Bernard's Guide to Rugby Punditry

Murray Kinsella returns from his well earned hiatus and joins Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey to discuss Connacht's seismic stand in Thomond, Munster's defeat and their gripes with the officials, and a James Ryan-inspired Leinster's victory against an impressive-enough Ulster side at the RDS. The lads also look ahead to an All-French Champions Cup final with significant Irish interest and, as a standalone talking point for today's ep, discuss recent events at Tallaght RFC and Irish rugby's efforts to grow the game in non-rugby strongholds.

Incident-packed interpros,authentic ROG & is enough done to grow rugby in non-traditional areas?

Bernard Jackman, Garry Doyle and Gavan Casey look back on the weekend's interpros: Ulster look like they need the beach while Munster suddenly seem beastly. Leinster were incredible in the circumstances, but Connacht's Achilles heel continues to be exploited. Plus, the lads discuss Jack Regan's journey from not making the grade in Ireland to playing in Super Rugby and, eventually, landing alongside the Lions captain in the Pro14 on a three-year deal. His story should be embraced, but his pathway should also be made replicable.

Jack Regan points a way forward for Irish rugby; Murray - Lions 9?; And cheers to you, Roux

Garry Doyle, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey discuss the Irish winners and losers from Warren Gatland’s Lions selection. The lads also look at the bigger picture for both Ulster and Leinster which gnawed for their familiarity but might require very different fixes

Russell over Sexton a mistake, what we and Leinster couldn’t see, plus one irate Ulster man

Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey look ahead to this weekend’s salivating European semi-finals involving Irish provinces.

Can Leinster topple La ROGelle, Ulster v throwback Tigers, and leave Eddie alone

Murray, Bernard and Gavan discuss the shambles that is the running of women’s rugby in this country and the areas in which it needs to improve. As the Rainbow Cup fails to materialise — albeit hopefully just until the autumn — the lads assess the Pro14/16’s future, Welsh fans’ apathy towards it, and how integral the South Africans’ introduction will be to the league establishing more mainstream interest. Plus, Bernard pulls no punches on the sense of disenfranchisement on the ground in Irish rugby, and the lack of a clear pathway for Irish coaches to get opportunities on the professional circuit. ROG’s extension at La Rochelle and Mack Hansen’s arrival in Connacht are also explored by the lads at the top of the show.

Why Irish rugby’s silent majority is losing hope, Pro14 mess, and how to fix the women’s game

Bernard Jackman gives Gavan Casey and Murray Kinsella the lowdown on how deals come about in rugby, dealing with players and agents, succession planning, and much more. The trio also discuss Ireland's impressive win over Wales in the Women's Six Nations and how their emerging young talent can take things to the next level.

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The42 Rugby Weekly

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