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

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.