Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast to discuss a mixed week of results for the Irish provinces in the Investec Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

We start this week's pod with a long conversation about the impact the kicking game currently has in rugby, sparked by recent criticism of how rugby has become kick and stoppage-heavy as a result of World Rugby's clampdown on 'escorting'.

We then look back on the weekend's opening block of games in Europe, starting with how Munster capitulated in the opening quarter against Bath at The Rec (25:45).

Attention then turns to Leinster, who Gareth believes are steadily building their season, after a 45-28 win against Harlequins (36:05).

We pick out some of the Ulster players who impressed in their 61-7 hammering of Racing 92 in the Challenge Cup (43:55), while we also look over a deeply frustrating afternoon at the office for Connacht, who lost 24-21 away to Ospreys, despite leading the game 21-0 (49:00).

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Neil Treacy is joined on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to recap the big stories of the week in the world of rugby.

We discuss the major news of the day from the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw, where Ireland will face Scotland, Portugal and Uruguay in Pool D, and we break down how Ireland's path through the tournament could look, depending on where they finish in the pool.

We also discuss Even Etzebeth's red card for eye-gouging from South Africa's win against Wales last weekend, while we talk through another frustrating injury layoff for Mack Hansen, who has undergone surgery on a foot issue.

Bernard and Jonny speak up in defence of Jacques Nienaber, after the Leinster senior coach was criticised for leaving the door open around a potential return to the Springboks for the World Cup.

And we take a look ahead at the start of the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cups, which begin this week.

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Neil Treacy and Bernard Jackman are joined by South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning captain John Smit ahead of this week's game between Ireland and the Springboks.

We get the South African perspective on Ireland from Smit, and discuss what has become one of the biggest rivalries in rugby in recent seasons.

The panel look back on Ireland's impressive 46-19 win against Australia last weekend, and discuss some of the key selection decisions facing Andy Farrell this week.

And we discuss the issues facing the current disciplinary processes in the game, after straight red cards in consecutive games for the Springboks.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and the Sydney Morning Herald's Jonathan Drennan to look ahead of Ireland's meeting with the Wallabies on Saturday.

Jonathan, an Irish journalist based in Sydney, brings us up to speed on the comings and goings in Australian rugby since the Lions tour, with Joe Schmidt's side experiencing some major highs and lows in that period.

We recap Ireland's 41-10 win against Japan last Saturday, and pick apart another frustrating day at the lineout, which Australia will be sure to go after this weekend.

And we also look at some of the changes both sides are likely to make, with Andy Farrell dealing with a number of injury concerns.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy to pick through the bones of Ireland's 26-13 defeat to New Zealand in Chicago.

We react to the news that Tadhg Beirne's red card from the game has been rescinded, and discuss how the TMO confusion added to a poor spectacle at Soldier Field.

The panel also looks at how Ireland's attacking game struggled to make a dent in the New Zealand defence (18:45), and the errors that saw them wilt in the final quarter.

We discuss the changes Andy Farrell is likely to make this week against, and ask whether or not those performances are likely to be rewarded later in the Quilter Nations Series window (33:45).

Bernard also looks at the continuing issues around Ireland's lineout (47:30), which lost five of its 16 throws on Saturday.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we recap Round 5 of the URC, and begin to look ahead at Ireland's meeting with the All Blacks in Chicago.

As the United Rugby Championship takes a break for the Autumn Nations Series, we give our early season reports for Munster (1:40), Connacht (9:15), Ulster (18:15) and Leinster (24:15), after what's been a mixed start to the season for the provinces.

In particular, we discuss how Harry Byrne's return to form has been a big positive in an otherwise poor start for Leinster (26:30).

We then turn our attention to the Autumn Nations Series, as Ireland begin their difficult four-game slate against New Zealand in Chicago on Saturday night (36:50).

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Neil Treacy is joined on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast by Bernard Jackman and journalist Brendan Fanning to look back on a huge week in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

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Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland on this week's RTE Rugby podcast to discuss the major news of the week in Irish Rugby.

The panel looks ahead to the first big Interpro of the season in the BKT United Rugby Championship, as Leinster host Munster at Croke Park on Saturday evening.

We break down wins for both sides at the weekend, and look at where Munster need to get things right if they're to end their four-game losing run in this fixture.

The podcast also cover the highly anticipated first head-to-head meeting of Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley (28:50), and ask how much stock Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will be placing on it.

Bernard and Jonny discuss how Ulster clicked in their impressive 28-7 win against the Bulls (38:45), and debate whether or not Jacob Stockdale could make a claim for the Ireland 15 jersey this November.

And we also break down where things went wrong for Connacht as they fell to a disappointing 14-8 loss away to Cardiff (48:00).

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