The42 Rugby Weekly

Bernard Jackman and Murray Kinsella join Gavan Casey to look back on the weekend's URC action in which Leinster looked as though they may have solved one of last season's problems, Connacht's defence proved too much for Ulster, and Munster's ongoing attacking problems came home to roost once more.

The lads also looked ahead to November for both the Ireland women's and men's teams.

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Brilliant Connacht down blunt Ulster, Munster's 9&10 not to blame, & Leinster's bench progression

Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey dial each other up seconds after Ireland's team to face Japan is announced by Andy Farrell. Japanese rugby expert Rich Freeman joins Murray for a chat on Ireland's weekend opponents. And two years out from the World Cup, the lads look at rugby's growth -- and potential for growth -- in South America, Georgia, and the Pacific Islands.

Immediate Ireland team reaction, Rich Freeman on Japan, and the movers and shakers in 'Tier Two'

Bernard Jackman, Ciarán Kennedy, and Niamh Briggs join Murray Kinsella to talk about a huge week in Irish rugby.

Can Ireland beat the All Blacks? And another fiasco in Irish women's rugby

Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey reflect on Ireland's third ever victory over the All Blacks -- arguably the most enjoyable edition of the three -- and what we can gleam from the performance with an eye on the near future. The impacts of Paul O'Connell and Gary Keegan are discussed, as are some of the lads' favourite individual performances and the areas in which Ireland will need to improve for the Six Nations. Naturally, they also look ahead to Argentina this Sunday, which may be an especially important game for Conor Murray.

Elsewhere, the lads give their thoughts on Rassie Erasmus' suspension and the consequent fallout, and they pay tribute to departing Ireland captain Ciara Griffin as they look ahead to Saturday's Test with Japan.

Special day at the Aviva, Remorseless Rassie & farewell to Ciara Griffin

Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey are joined by Garry Doyle to look ahead to the Six Nations through the lens of the November Tests just gone, with a particular focus on reigning champions Wales, world-champion-conquering England, the frighteningly stable France and, of course, Ireland.

Bernard also looks back on the Ireland women's team's November, and gives his thoughts on how incoming head coach Greg McWiliams will approach his first Six Nations campaign. 

Plus, with the URC back this weekend, the lads preview Leinster-Ulster and Connacht's potentially make-or-break clash with Ospreys, while Berch has a strong opinion as to who should replace Stephen Larkham at Munster.

Ireland/England/France/Wales November reviews, and who should Munster recruit to replace Larkham?

Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey discuss an insane week for Munster -- and indeed Cardiff, whose attempts to leave South Africa may have been thwarted just before the lads started recording. 

Can Munster win at Wasps and just how exactly is the next 10 days going to work for the members of their squad who are in Ireland?

Plus, Ulster show serious nous to get one over Leinster at the RDS. Can Connacht repeat their feat from earlier this year and win at the same ground?

Munster - incredibly - set sights on Wasps, Ulster make fools of the experts, and Lein-Conn preview

Bernard Jackman and Niamh Briggs join Murray Kinsella, with both predicting 3 wins from 4 for the Irish provinces as the Champions Cup kicks off this weekend.

Munster's mission, Ross Byrne's status, Ulster worries, and Mack Hansen

Murray and I will be back next Tuesday, 28 December, to look back on Ulster-Connacht and shoot the breeze. Until then, have a great Christmas, everyone. Mind yourselves. -- Gav

Merry Christmas from The42 Rugby Weekly

The band is back together as Gavan Casey is joined by Bernard Jackman and Murray Kinsella for the first pod of the New Year. The lads chat about Connacht's upward trajectory before discussing all things Munster. They also welcome the prospect of Ulster and Leinster returning to action, as well as looking forward to a big 2022 in rugby.

What's going on in Munster? Connacht's growth continues and a very exciting 2022

Transfer guru Bernard Jackman joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to look back on Munster-Ulster and chat RG Snyman's renewal, the thoughts of Johann van Graan's spokesperson Victor Matfield on SuperSport, Jared Payne's departure from Ulster, the Dragons' chairman's calls for the introduction of a salary cap to the URC, Leinster's long-awaited return to action, and Connacht's game of the weekend against Leicester. Oh, and Berch also casually announces Payne's next destination as well as a big move for JJ Hanrahan.

Berch's scoops, Matfield spills Van Graan's beans, and should the URC have a salary cap?

Fresh off his bombshell report on Jason Jenkins' impending move from Munster to Leinster, Murray Kinsella joins Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey to discuss the move - and why it's slightly different than when Munster originally signed him last year.

The lads assess Andy Farrell's Ireland squad and the areas in which the national team lacks a bit of depth, or may do so in the not-too-distant future.

But firstly, with the rugby world saddened by the tragic death of Rouen out-half Jordan Michallet on Wednesday, Bernard shares his memories of a vivacious character and prodigious talent whom he coached at Grenoble, Michallet's boyhood club.

If you feel as though you need to speak with somebody outside of your family or social circle, please contact:

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Is Jason Jenkins a good signing for Leinster?; Ireland squad; and memories of Jordan Michallet

Bernard Jackman, Gavan Casey, and Murray Kinsella glance ahead to the Six Nations, chat about the Irish provinces' progress in the Champions Cup, and then discuss the latest off-the-pitch drama in Welsh rugby, with Berch providing insight from his time with the Dragons.

Carty or Carbery? What's up with Welsh rugby? And Champions Cup prospects

Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey discuss Ireland's 23 to face Wales, look ahead to the Six Nations generally, and give their thoughts on Malakai Fekitoa's move from Wasps to Munster.

Mack Hansen, son of Éire; Fekitoa to Munster; and some general Six Nations excitement

Gavan Casey and Murray Kinsella hit record for the second time today after news of Johnny Sexton's injury, with Illtud Dafydd joining the lads on the line from Paris to give great insight into all things les Bleus.

Sexton bombshell, Carbery's big chance, and the view from France

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Gavan Casey is joined by Bernard Jackman and Murray Kinsella to discuss the prospect of South Africa replacing Italy in the Six Nations and reflect on Ireland's performance in Paris last weekend. The lads also look ahead to a busy weekend of URC action.

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The42 Membership is a community of passionate sports fans who are directly supporting our journalists and journalism through their membership.

In return, our commitment is to provide them with the best analysis, insight and debate, as well as a vibrant community of like-minded fans.

The best way for us to guarantee the future of the pod is by making it exclusive to our members. Which is why — in a few weeks’ time — we will be launching a new and improved rugby offering for our members.

At the heart of this will be a brand-new Rugby Weekly Extra podcast every Monday where Murray, Bernard and Gavan will bring you the definitive analysis on the weekend’s rugby action. This members-only Monday pod will be the only place where you will be able to hear Murray, Bernard and Gavan together, and it will be essential listening after every weekend’s action.

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South Africa in for Italy? Carbery's display overrated? And Ireland's best lock pairing?

For a 33% discount on an annual membership to The42, use the promo code THE42RW at members.the42.ie.

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Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey look ahead to Italy and discuss what they would like to see Andy Farrell do at 10 this weekend.

Plus -- central contracts: what's actually the story with them? Ulster and Munster make left-field new signings; England's Championship clubs brace themselves for the introduction of Premiership 'A' sides to their league, and the lads wonder whether something similar might work better in Ireland; Berch recalls his coffee with Roy Keane in Wellington in 2008 and explains why Padraig Harrington was the best motivational speaker he's ever heard; and the pod remembers 'Inga the Winga', the great Va'aiga Tuigamala who has passed away aged 52.

Murray and Gavan also give listeners an update on the new podcast schedule.

Should Sexton start, Padraig Harrington's role in '09 Slam, and could provincial 'A' teams play AIL?

For a 20% discount on an annual membership to The42, use the promo code THE42RW at members.the42.ie.

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On our final Thursday show before we switch to a members-exclusive format on Monday, Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey discuss high tackles, red cards, and the supposed ruination of the sport of rugby union. Berch examines rugby in French Polynesia and its impact on the current national side, and Murray highlights the various backroads to professional rugby in Ireland after City of Armagh star Shea O'Brien signed with Ulster during the week. The lads also look ahead to the provinces' four URC games this weekend.

Shut up about 'ruining the game', France's Polynesian infusion, and two big signings for Connacht

Gavan Casey and Murray Kinsella look ahead to a massive weekend of rugby for Ireland, the Ireland U20s, France, and Munster.

Shock Scots selection, Triple Crown chance, and a Grand Slam shot

Garry Doyle joins Gavan Casey to preview Leinster-Connacht, Ulster-Toulouse and Munster-Exeter in the Champions Cup.

What a weekend ahead

FREE MEMBERS PODCAST: Murray Kinsella and Bernard Jackman join Gavan Casey for the first Monday pod of the 2022/23 season which, for one week only, is available for free to both members and non-members of The42. 

If you're not yet a member and you fancy listening to this podcast every Monday (as well as receiving further exclusive Rugby Weekly Extra pods every Wednesday and immediately following Ireland tests), visit members.the42.ie.

On today's agenda:

2.00: Mathieu Raynal v Australia -- Bernard, Murray and Gavan explain how they've separately come to be supporters of #TeamRaynal as the French referee's controversial decision from Thursday's Bledisloe Cup match continues to reverberate around the rugby world.

15.00: Ulster v Connacht -- Stuart McCloskey's influence and the differences between him and Bundee Aki/Robbie Henshaw in an Ireland context; Ulster's standout performers, and concerns for Connacht as they pick up where they left off last season -- in a bad way.

30.55: Zebre v Leinster -- A tough day in Parma for Leinster's defence; have they become too forward-oriented and, if so, how do they broaden their palette when it's so often the right approach for them on a game-by-game basis? 

39.40: Cardiff v Munster -- A different-looking Munster but similar frustrations; a big change in their kicking game, and could Jack Crowley be the secret to a fully firing Mike Prendergast-steered attack?

49.27: Berch v the Emerging Ireland tour -- Bernard and Murray discuss the potential RWC bolters from Ireland's development squad that is set to tour South Africa, and they also give their contrasting views on the merits of the tour as a whole.

Free members pod: Why Raynal was right; how does McCloskey have only six caps?; RWC squad bolters

Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Ciarán Kennedy set the scene with a preview show that kicks off the rugby weekend.