Second Captains

Ireland outmuscled Scotland, but that aside, what else did we do right, and what else did we learn? Will Jordan Larmour hold onto the 15 jersey? Is Stockdale now a master defender? Have we the forwards to beat South Africa? We chat to Shane Horgan about vintage Ireland, pathetic Scotland, crafty Kiwis and a thrilling opening weekend. Shane says there’s plenty for Ireland to be encouraged by in the Boks opening display, but can we survive a 20 minute physical onslaught the way NZ did?We chat to Gerry Thornley about the positivity flowing through the Ireland camp, managing Sexton’s physical load and why the hosts will improve dramatically from their opener against Russia.Plus there’s Eddie V Heaslip, group flow, ITV’s dojo and Cheika getting caught out by Fiji’s smiling assassins.

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Liverpool made it six wins in a row but finished the match clinging on as Chelsea, inspired by their fans' generosity of spirit, threw everything at them in search of an equaliser. Manchester City won 8-0 and then the hero of the day, Bernardo Silva, soured the moment by blundering into a social media racism controversy.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to discuss why the mood at Stamford Bridge remains buoyant in the face of poor results, the absence of Pulisic from Lampard's teamsheets, and to give his thoughts on Inter's victory in the Milan derby.And Laurie Whitwell was at the London Stadium to see Manchester United's defeat to West Ham. Can he see any positives for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, where Jose Mourinho could not?

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The Champions League is underway, the RWC 2019 is underway and grunge week is over - its the perfect time to join the Second Captains World Service secondcaptains.com/join .Shane Horgan told us this week that he reckons England are going to win the whole thing, and along with Donnacha Ryan, Eoin Reddan, Gerry Thornley and Mattie Williams, you'll get all the biggest rugby brains giving you the best insight and analysis.Earlier this week, Jonny Cooper told us about the words of consolation from Jack McCaffrey after his sending-off in the drawn All-Ireland final that inspired him for last Saturday's replay.Plus Ken bullying Eoin, live show discounts and trouble in the camp.

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'No-one likes us, we don't care' would appear to be the attitude of some Dublin fans... but is there a silent majority of the country who, while they'd rather see the cups getting shared around a bit, are nonetheless more than willing to give credit where it's due? Oisin McConville and Mike Quirke give us their thoughts on the greatest team of all time, the players and manager that made them, and the fault-lines that could yet appear on the horizon. Not even 24 hours after the Dubs won the men's final, their women's team were at it as well, and we speak to 2017 footballer of the year Noelle Healy, who kicked the last point of their 2-3 to 0-4 win over Galway. Plus there's crowd trouble on the Hill, Eoin meets Michéal Martin, Oisin's beef with Johnny Magee, and Mike Quirke's new job.

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Eoin returns from Seattle, and he's bearing gifts, which translates to both good news and bad news for Second Captains listeners. There is no doubt what the theme is today as the dazzling young stars of Frank Lampard's talent factory blazed far too hot for Wolves to handle.Sam Lee and Jonathan Wilson join us for a closer look at some of the weekend's football. Is there a solution for City's defensive problems in their youth teams? And why does Jonathan believe a reckoning is coming for Frank Lampard?

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The Second Captains World Service aches for you. Here is a taste of what you've been missing.Oisin and Mike on Brolly's Licence To Ill, Richie Sadlier on Troy Parrott's rise, Ken on Dubs all Ireland ceremony, and RWC 2019 build up.

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Two weeks ago, Ireland conceded almost 60 points to England... so what the hell are we doing at number 1 in the world rankings? No-one seems to be paying it much heed, least of all here in Ireland, but it suggests we must be doing something right. Eoin Reddan and Gerry Thornley of the Irish Times pick out the best bits from a second win over Wales in 7 days in the Aviva on Saturday, and why after the Twickenham humiliation, the only way was up. James Ryan has emerged from Devin Toner's lineout shadow, and maybe there are less places to hide now, while Eoin Reddan is confident that Joe has remained confident throughout the last fortnight. Sinead O'Carroll of thejournal.ie is in studio to talk to us about the best camogie final in years, as Galway win just their third title in thrilling style against Kilkenny. Ken worries that the world is sniggering at our no.1 status, and we say goodbye forever to the Eoin McDevitt Rugby World Cup Panic Button... thank Christ.

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If Ireland are Homer Simpson, then Georgia are Homer's assistant and guardian angel Karl, who helps him get promoted to executive in the Dimoxinil episode. Once again they have sabotaged Ireland's opponents and simplified the task of Euro qualification. Tomorrow Ireland play Bulgaria in a friendly that allows Mick McCarthy to look at some of his bench options. We talk about this morning's press conference, and catch up on what else was happening around Europe on international week.Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about whether England are likely 2020 Euro champs, to give his scouting report on Ireland's next opponents Bulgaria, and to share his theory on why the international game in Europe has started to mirror some of the inequalities of the club game.

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There simply is no better time to join the Second Captains world service than the first week of the month, with new editions of both Richie Sadlier's Player's Chair and Ken Early's Politics Podcast, and an Ireland V Switzerland review coming on Friday. Richie was speaking to Paul O'Connell at Electric Picnic last Saturday, and Ken spoke to Richard Seymour, author of a new book called The Twittering Machine. For those of you who haven't succumbed just yet... here's a taster.

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Dublin set off yesterday in pursuit of history, trying to become the first team to win the five-in-a-row. They eventually came within one kick of it yesterday evening, before Dean Rock's sideline free-kick dropped short and wide, and condemned us to a replay of yesterday's thrilling All-Ireland football final. Oisin McConville and Mike Quirke were there, loved it as much as we did, and tell us why there's room for improvement everywhere, even amidst all the drama. Mike Quirke's bullish pre-match summation of the power of Kerry's bench was proved correct, Oisin's love affair with David Clifford, flaws and all, continues, and we cast half an eye towards a replay that is far from a foregone conclusion. Shane Horgan gives us his instant reaction to the World Cup squad being announced today as Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy and Will Addison miss out. Ken has some technique questions for Dean Rock, and some security questions for the Irish rugby team dressing room, as well as crying toddlers, unbearable excitement and card-happy Royallers.

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