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The opening weekend of the URC season has been and gone with three out of the four Irish provinces recording victories.

Stuart Lancaster and Clayton McMillan opened their accounts with victories for Connacht and Munster respectively, while Ulster saw off the Dragons with their attack impressing under the influence of Richie Murphy’s assistant Mark Sexton.

Leinster, though, turned in a horror display down in South Africa.

Could they be staring into a 10-point deficit to their rivals just two weeks into the season?

How did the other provinces impress after round one?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss. 

Produced by John Casey.

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Our province-by-province preview series concludes out West and in the capital. Connacht have a new coaching staff led by Stuart Lancaster while Leinster have extended their group spearheaded by Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber.

Can Connacht bring through their young players into Ireland contention? Will Leinster finally break their European curse?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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The return of the URC is upon us as all four provinces gear up for the new campaign. New coaches, new players, teams looking to improve on a down season for Irish rugby as a whole domestically, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on.

Joining host Nathan Johns to pick through Munster and Ulster’s prospects is Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan. 

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland came close to upsetting France in the World Cup quarter-final, only for an improved display to come up short.

How did they nearly pull off the unthinkable? What to make of the bite on Aoife Wafer and subsequent punishment? Where does this Irish team go from here?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland’s green wave came crashing back down to earth after a 40-0 defeat to New Zealand in Brighton. The saving grace is that, after defeating Japan and Spain in their opening games, a quarter-final spot has still been secured. They play Six Nations foe France in Exeter next weekend.

After attending the match on Sunday, Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley pick through the talking points.

Where did it go wrong for Ireland? Did they play into New Zealand’s hands with their game plan? Will Aoife Wafer play any time at this tournament? What are their prospects for the French showdown?

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland have qualified for a Women’s World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2014 having beaten Spain. Whether they win the pool, and their knockout opponent, will be decided on Sunday when taking on the Black Ferns. Across their first two games, Ireland have scored 13 tries and 85 points.

All seems well, but were there cracks in the performance against two lower ranked teams? How do we balance critiquing displays while acknowledging the achievements of this side?

Irish Times contributor Louise Lawless joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland returned to the World Cup stage with a dominant win over Japan. Given the day that’s in it, a first World Cup match for all bar one of the squad, all at Franklin’s Gardens left in a positive mood. Even with a second half struggle which allowed Japan to get back into the game.

What made the day a successful one, who impressed and how could Ireland improve ahead of their next game with Spain?

Nathan Johns and Louise Lawless discuss after being in Northampton.

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland’s last Women’s World Cup appearance came in 2017. It was supposed to be a crowning moment, a global tournament hosted on Irish soil. Instead, results on the field precipitated a decline off it. Eight years later - with one failed qualification attempt in between - Ireland finally return to the world stage.

What has changed in the last eight years? Are there lessons to be learned from the 2017 disappointment? How important a moment is it that Ireland are now back competing at World Cups?

Former player Lindsay Peat, current assistant coach Larissa Muldoon and Ireland hooker Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald were all involved in 2017. They join host Nathan Johns to look back at the last eight years.

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland’s World Cup campaign is fast approaching. Yet perhaps due to Lions fatigue, the build-up has been somewhat muted. Maybe the bandwagon won’t get going until Ireland play New Zealand on September 7th, or is it a case of the women’s game being in a strange place?

Much of the chatter around this Ireland group has been positive in recent years, thanks to improving Six Nations results and a famous win over the Black Ferns. Yet with key players injured, last-minute call-ups from England and questions on the future of the domestic game, this World Cup build-up doesn’t scream a team about to take off.

Irish Times contributor Louise Lawless joins Nathan Johns to preview the campaign.

Produced by John Casey.

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